Co-Ops?

[CountessKerouac]

Can someone please explain to the simpleton (er...me) what a co-op IS exactly and how it works? Why is it cheaper than shopping in a regular hfs/grocery store? Thanks!

[Killik]

A member-owned business with membership open to those who use its services. Democratically controlled and operated on a non-profit basis, a cooperative returns any margins to members on the basis of patronage. If this isn't clear enough, here's a more detailed explanation:

Retail cooperative food stores number approximately 500 in communities across the United States. At most co-ops, members and non-members alike may shop, but the benefits of membership include a voice in co-op policy, discounts or rebates for patronage and other specialized services.

Cooperative buying clubs or preorder co-ops are typically informal groups organized to buy directly from a wholesaler and save substantially on groceries. Group members order in bulk and divide their order among themselves. Each person also volunteers time towards the task of ordering, bookkeeping and distribution.

Cooperative food warehouses supply food to retail co-ops and buying groups, maintain listings of cooperatives within their service regions and provide technical assistance to groups interested in starting food cooperatives. These warehouses are owned and controlled by the local cooperatives they service. Similarly, many private grocery store owners enjoy the benefits of cooperation through retailer-owned cooperatives which supply them with goods and services. There are approximately 75 retailer-owned cooperatives operating in the grocery industry in the United States.:sunny::sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny:

[MRSSHF]

I love the co-op where I live, but it is not cheaper than shopping at Whole Foods or the local supermarket because although it is a not-for-profit store, the employees are well-paid and enjoy health benefits and 401K. Also, they do not have the buying power that Wild Oats or Whole Foods has, and large supermarket profits are only like 3% or something like that.

The advantage of purchasing from my co-op is that I am supporting good labor practices, and I can get a huge selection of organic produce, organic Vegan foods and cruelty-free houseold cleansers and personal care items. Also, as a member, I do have some say in what the co-op sells. For instance, the co-op no longer sells Iams directly because my husband and I complained and provided information about animal testing and Iams. Because of me and several other interested members, the co-op now sells two brands of nutritionally complete dog food.

[rabid_child]

The co-op I belong to has TONS of bulk bins, and so that sort of stuff is cheaper. It also offers a variety of veg*n foods which are not otherwise available up here. They have good sales, and between that and coupons, I've gotten bottles of organic juice for $.50, organic sammich cookies for $1.50, etc...
This month was 3 quarts of Vitasoy for $5! Which rocked. I love that stuff.

As a member, you get 2% off of all your purchases.
As a monthly working member, you work 3 hrs/month, and get 10% off of all your purchases.
As a weekly working member (which is what I am), you work 3 hrs/week and get 26% off of all your purchases.

[bstutzma]

My co-op is also not cheaper. I buy things there because it is close and convenient.

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

(pout...) Ya'all are lucky.

There are no co-ops near me. :brood:

The closest is in Seattle, almost an hour away. I've heard so many people say what good prices they have, and rave about the great selection...

I would DEFINITELY join one, I think it'd be a great business to support...

Maybe I'll have to move,,,,,

[rabid_child]

An example of a good deal at my co-op for August (thats gonna get me in TONS of trouble!!)

Soy Delicious Truely Decadent pints are on sale for $2.49
Plus they have a coupon for $.55 off
So that's down to $1.94/pint
THEN I get 26% off
So its like $1.50 a pint for Soy Delicious.

You can guess what my freezer is gonna look like at the end of this month.
And my belly. :o

[CountessKerouac]

So basically...it's *not* cheaper? I thought co-ops offered it's member customers a certain percentage of the profits back?

[rabid_child]

A lot of things at the co-op are cheaper than they were at the HFS's at home. This may also have to do with geography, however. Living 160 miles outside of NYC instead of 10 miles outside of NYC makes a lot of cost of living differences.
Things are also MUCH cheaper when you factor in a 26% discount!

[tearhsong2]

There's a co-op near where I work, but I've yet to check it out.

[marina13]

stupid question - how do i go about finding one in my area?