Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What can I buy at the co-op?
Currently we sell spices, grains, beans, coffee, nuts, flour, and an assortment of other dried goods. We also have a deal with via the Meso Produce app to buy discounted produce from Chicano Sol, a Pennsylvania-based organic farmer.farmer, to buy produce at discounted prices. We're constantly looking for new products, and any member who can commit to buying something will be prioritized for new purchases.
How do I become a member?
Here are the steps to become a member:
- Fill in the membership interest form.
- We'll invite all people who filled in the interest form to an 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).
- You will be invited to sign on to our membership agreement.
- You will then have to begin paying monthly dues as described below.
- Now you can shop at the co-operative!
- To be in good standing, members are expected to contribute labor. We assign tasks on a quarterly basis, but encourage new members to look for opportunities to pitch in on whatever needs doing week to week to meet our labor requirement. We'll let you know where we have gaps as well.
When can I shop?
Our hours are Sunday from 6-7:30 pm and Wednesday from 5:30-6:30 pm. A member in good standing can shop solo at any time. Produce ordered via the Meso app can be picked up during Sunday hours.
When are member meetings?
Member meetings are Sundays from 6-7pm. We catch up on the week, share a snack if someone brings something, and if there's any co-op business to discuss or decide we will do so during the meeting. 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. Labor can take many forms, from maintaining the store inventory to crafting social media posts to get the word out to making a salad to share at a meeting to washing dishes after a social event.
What are dues for the co-operative?
Our co-op requires a financial contribution from our members to operate, currently between $5 - $20 per member per month. We have a sliding scale to acknowledge that not everyone is able to contribute the same amount. We ask members to reflect on how much they can afford with the below guide, and pay dues accordingly.
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Consider paying less dues ($5, 10) if you...
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Consider paying more for dues ($15, 20) if you...
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Do you have a storefront?
Not yet! We share our current 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. Compared to local grocery stores, we are often slightly more expensive than Trader Joe's but cheaper than WholeFoods, Safeway, or CVS. Some of our products are much cheaper than in stores (e.g. spices, dish soap, mouthwash).
We continue to research new and better sources for our stock to maintain quality at low prices. That said, the most effective way to lower costs is to expand our purchasing power by adding new members, so by joining you're helping lower costs for everyone!
How can I request new products?
Reach out to a co-op member! We're always researching what people would like to see in stock. If you have not yet filled out a membership interest form, you can add product ideas in the comments field there as well.