In some ways, a local grocery co-op (short for cooperative) is like an indoor farmer’s market that operates in your community throughout the year. Local produce, craft beers, and specialty food items reign supreme in both. The difference between the two lies primarily in who owns them. At a local farmer’s market stocked with hidden gems, farmers and craftspeople typically apply for the right to sell their goods in a designated stall. At the co-op, the community-at-large owns the store, or rather, has the right to own a piece of the store by buying a membership. It’s the combined buying power of the owner members that allows shoppers to save money.
Most people who buy memberships at the local co-op pay a one-time fee that takes them from being regular customers to part owners of the store. Memberships are typically offered at the check stand or at customer service. With that one-time fee comes perks like special access to deals, including weekly and flash sales and members-only coupons. Depending on the structure of the co-op bylaws, members may also be eligible for year-end dividends.
Finally, many grocery cooperatives offer a bulk section. Not only do these sections sell food for up to 50% less than other area stores do, but they also allow shoppers to buy and grind their own spices for even bigger savings. For a bulk shopper who likes to cook from scratch, the local co-op is the gateway to delicious home-cooked meals at a fraction of the cost.
Shopping at the co-op is more than a money saver
People don’t just shop at their local co-ops to save money. They shop there because the food they find fits their diets and their preferences. For many shoppers, this is as much of a draw as the savings. Much of the food comes from area food producers. Farmers, ranchers, craft beer producers, local wineries, and niche coffee crafters may all play a role in what lands on the shelves of a local co-op.
However, supply alone doesn’t dictate what you’ll find at a co-op. As these stores cater to the tastes of the locals, the store shelves reflect the special dietary choices that dominate the local area. For example, if your co-op’s shelves are heavily laden with vegan dinners and lots of keto options, then chances are that plenty of people in the area want those things. The same goes for the availability of flavorful grass-fed over grain-fed beef, free-range eggs, and other food grown with fair trade practices in mind.
In addition to offering a supply relevant to the community, co-ops can also provide fruitful employment opportunities and may even be owned by their employees. With no corporate investors looking to stuff their pockets, the co-op model allows even part-time employees to reap benefits they’re often excluded from in standard grocery stores. The model is built to be community-first, ensuring that the co-op’s values align with its members, consumers, and employees.