Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What can I buy at the co-op?

We sell mainly shelf-stable things that we can buy at reduced cost in bulk. This includes dried beans, chickpeas, grains, flours, and spices.

As part of membership in the co-op you get to purchase produce from Chicano Sol at a 30% discount.

How do I become a member?

Here are the steps to become a member:

1. You fill in the membership interest form. 
2. If we have capacity to add new people to the co-op, we will invite all people who filled in the interest form to a onboarding training for the co-operative. This looks like a half hour meet and greet at the co-op, an introduction on how we run, and what membership implies (read more below for an overview).
3. You will then be invited to sign on to our membership agreement.
4. You will then have to pay your first month or first years' dues. Dues are described below.
5. At that point you will be asked to register for a shift with the co-operative.
6. Now you can shop at the co-operative!

When are there open shop hours at the co-operative?

During the summer our shopping hours are Sunday 6-7:30pm and Wednesday 5:30-6:30pm. A member who has been trained on how to do inventory can shop at any time.

When are member meetings?

Member meetings are every Sunday from 6-7:30pm. A meal is usually served, produce is available, and people hang out and if there's anything to decide on we will make a decision there. Attendance is not mandatory.

What's a labor based co-operative?

In a labor based grocery co-operative there is an expectation that you contribute labor to the running of the co-operative. We don't have any staff, which means that all the work done in the co-op is done by members of the co-operative.

What are dues for the co-operative?

Our co-op requires a financial contribution from our members to run properly. There are several costs associated with our co-op that we can only cover if people pitch in $5 - $20 each month ($60-$240 each year). However, not everyone is able to contribute to these costs at the same rate. We ask members to reflect on how much they can afford, and pay dues accordingly. The amount of dues paid does not impact the “one member one vote” principle of the co-operative.

Here are some things to reflect on as you think about how much your dues are:

Do you have a storefront?

No! We do not have a publicly available storefront because we don't have exclusive access to a space to use. We share our space with a couple of other community groups. If you know of any affordable spaces we could move in to we'd love to talk.

How much do things cost?

All goods at the co-operative are sold at cost, with a 5% markup to members.

As we figure out our sourcing we might not be the cheapest way to get certain goods. The best way to push down the price of goods is through growing our membership so we can buy larger quantities!