Food co-ops, or cooperatives, have the conveniences of larger supermarket retailers, but are member owned and run. By becoming a member of a food co-op, you end up saving money on groceries because you are buying from the distributor directly. Many food co-ops also support local farmers, and as a result offer high-quality in-season food. Your local food co-op might function as a regular retail store and sell food to non-members, or it might take on the form of a buying club.
Joining a co-op requires the member to pay a member's fee, because you are in a sense, buying into the business. But as a member, you help make all the decisions pertaining to the co-op. You have a say in what food should be purchased in bulk and have the opportunity to place your own grocery orders. If the co-op does sell to non-members, then you also have a say in how the retail portion of the business is carried out.
Just like running a business, there is a lot you should know about joining a co-op and how it works. The Co-op Directory Service offers some great information about how co-ops operate and what you should do if you want to start your own. It also lists already established co-op locations across the country. And be sure to check out Local Harvest to find even more co-op locations near you.
Image thanks to David Barrie