FAQs

Since we’ve already been calling ourselves a cooperative, it is time to actually become one. A cooperative is a longstanding business model accompanied by a solid set of principles that includes: Voluntary & Open Membership; Democratic Member Control; Members’ Economic Participation; Autonomy & Independence, Education, Training and Information; Cooperation among Cooperatives; Concern for Community.

Yes. You do not have to fill out a new membership application. You will be signed up automatically

All members will have an Equity Share in the new San Juan Island Food Co-op.  An equity Share costs $200. This can be paid all at once or paid $20 per year over 10 years.

Yes. Any membership payments you have made will be applied to your Equity Share. Any shortage below the $200 will remain and can be paid at the rate of $20 per year; any payment above the $200 will not be refunded.

Household memberships will remain, with one Equity Share member qualifying the entire household to shop at the Co-op. There will no longer be seasonal memberships.

The purpose of the Co-op is to deliver high quality food at the lowest possible price and not to generate excess profit. There is a provision for a disbursement of surplus profits to the membership, and that may eventually happen. A disbursement of profits would come after employees have adequate compensation packages, and infrastructure improvements needed to better your shopping experience have been completed.

Improvements slated for the near future are: new front entrance and deck, new produce display cooler, walk-in/display freezer, new POS system, and an additional checkout register.  The goal with all these projects is to make the Co-op a more comfortable,  efficient and pleasant shopping experience.