Common Myths About Food Co-ops
For food lovers on the hunt for fresh local produce and healthy, sustainable products, the local food co-op may be a hidden gem. Why hidden, you ask? Many people, including co-op shoppers, are not entirely sure how co-ops work—or how to get involved. Luckily, the most common misconceptions can be cleared up in a snap. Read on to get the real answers to frequently asked questions about food co-ops. You may be surprised by what you find!
Myth #1
I have to be a member to shop at the food co-op.
Fact
Everyone is welcome to shop at nearly all co-ops. Just do your shopping like you would anywhere else. Once you’ve discovered the benefits of co-op shopping, you might want to find out more about the benefits of membership, too.
Myth #2
I have to be a hippie/liberal/vegetarian/etc. to shop at the co-op.
Fact
Same answer: everyone’s welcome. Liberal or conservative, hippie or yuppie, veggie lover or bacon lover—anyone can shop co-op (that means you!).
Myth #3
Being a co-op member means I have to join the board (or work part-time at the co-op, or do something else I’m not really sure I want to do).
Fact
All you really have to do is enjoy shopping at the co-op! Sure, you can run for the board or participate in co-op events if you like, but your level of participation is always entirely up to you.
Myth #4
I have to pay an annual fee to be a member of the co-op.
Fact
To become a member of most co-ops, you invest a small amount of money in the form of shares. Most co-ops allow you to buy them all at once or over time (but most member benefits start at once). Your shares make you a co-owner of the co-op along with the other members. If for any reason you decide to leave the co-op, there is a process to get your investment refunded.
Myth #5
There’s no reason to become a member if I can shop at the co-op for free.*
Fact
While co-ops welcome everyone to shop, there are definite benefits to becoming a member.
For instance, members can vote in co-op issues, so they get a say in how the co-op works and where it spends its money. And speaking of money, when the co-op turns a profit, members may be eligible for a patronage refund in proportion to their purchases. There’s also a host of other member benefits that are specific to each co-op (just talk to the staff to find out more).
So even if you only shop at the co-op once a month, the benefits are likely to exceed your investment, and you’ll get to play a part in a vibrant community resource.
* Park Slope Food Co-op is the exception to this rule for co-ops affiliated with National Co+op Grocers. At Park Slope Food Co-op, being a “working member” is required to shop there. Many co-ops were based on a similar model in the 70’s, but no longer have that requirement.
Shared with permission from Co-op Stronger Together at https://www.strongertogether.coop/food-coops/common-myths-about-food-co-ops
