 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
  |
||
|
||
 |
||
| |
|
|
owner infoFrequently Asked Questions |
Joining the Co-op | Household Shoppers | Owner Benefits | Patronage Refunds | Owner Investment | Withdrawing Ownership
Q. Do I have to be an owner to shop?A. The Co-op is open daily to everyone from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. You don’t need to be an owner to shop in our store. However, there are many benefits to becoming an owner. Q. What is the Co-op difference?A. You can own your grocery store! Consumer cooperatives are very different from privately owned “discount clubs,” which charge annual fees in exchange for a discount on purchases. The “club” is not owned or governed by the “members” and the profits of the business go to the investors, not to members. At the Co-op, instead of a fee, there is an investment. The members own the business and the profits belong to the community members. Q. What does the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op offer?A. SNFC is a locally-owned full service grocery store and deli specializing in local organically grown food and products. We also have a Community Learning Center and Cooking School, offering cooking classes, wellness lectures and community education workshops as well as wine tastings and other community events. Q. What am I supporting when I become an owner?A. When you become a Co-op owner, you are supporting a cooperative business model that honors the earth, nurtures its community and encourages healthy choices. Your investment supports local organic family farms and ensures that your food dollars remain in your community. The Co-op provides a variety of education programs and community services to support healthy choices and increase food accessibility to all.
Joining the Co-opQ. How do I join?A. It takes just a few minutes. Filling out a simple form, making your first $25 share payment towards your fully refundable $300 Fair Share investment, and paying a one-time $5 processing fee is all that you need to become an owner of the Co-op. You may choose to take up to 6 years to reach the full $300 investment. Q. Is this a family membership?A. No. Because co-op membership is ownership in a cooperative business; it's one person, one share, one vote. This gives everyone equal ownership. Each individual owner may add an additional household shopper to their account. Q. Do I have to work at the Co-op to become an owner?A. No. We have paid staff that run our store’s operations and handle all of our administrative needs, including accounting, human resources and marketing. Additionally, we do have an Owner Work Program. Owners who choose to do six hours of owner work each month receive a 10% discount. For more information, register for an Owner Work Orientation at the Customer Service Desk.
Household ShoppersQ. Can I add someone to my owner account?A. For a $5 card fee, you can add a household shopper to your owner account. The household shopper receives the same shopping benefits and may assist with the owner work in the Owner Work Program.
Owner BenefitsQ. When can I redeem my Owner Appreciation discount?A. All Co-op owners (current on their fair share payment plans) receive a 10% Owner Appreciation Month discount twice a year: once during a month that the co-op designates in the spring and once during a month that the co-op designates in the fall. Each owner can choose the day when they wish to take this discount. The discount applies to the total of the owner’s purchases made that day. Q. What are Monthly Category Specials?A. Each month we choose a category of products that will be discounted to owners. All current owners will receive the discount on products of the selected category whenever they shop that month and they present their owner card. Owners don't have to ask for this discount. If they are current on their share payments and they present their card, they will automatically receive this discount. Each month's category special will be publicized in the store and in the Co-op Reporter, SNFC's quarterly newsletter. This benefit is subject to change based on the Co-op's financial performance. Q. What is the Seasonal Owner Bonus?A. Once every season, each owner is able to ask for a 10% discount on the first $100 worth of purchases made on the day that he or she chooses. Our store registers are programmed to notify the cashier if an individual owner has used his or her discount during the season. Once used, the discount is unavailable until the next season. The Seasonal Owner Bonus cannot be combined with either the Owner Appreciation Month or the Senior Appreciation Day discounts. Note: This discount is credited to the owner's share account until an owner reaches the $300 fair share investment. At that point, he or she will then begin to receive the Seasonal Owner Bonus in cash. This benefit is subject to change based on the Co-op's financial performance.
Patronage RefundsQ: What is a patronage refund?A: In profitable years profits are returned to Co-op owners in direct proportion to their purchases. Your patronage refund will be calculated on the gross value of your purchases: that is, the amount you are charged before any discounts are applied.
Owner InvestmentQ. What is the annual membership fee?A. Actually, when you become a Co-op owner you are making an investment, not paying a fee. You can choose to invest all $300 at once (and receive a $30 gift certificate) or you may choose to make share payments with $25 due every six months. Q. How much does it cost to be a Co-op owner?A. The only true cost to you is a $5 processing fee. Any payment that you make towards your full Fair Share of $300 is completely refundable.
Withdrawing OwnershipQ. What if I decide I no longer want to be a co-op owner?A. If you no longer choose to be a Co-op owner, simply ask the Customer Service Desk or download the Application to Withdraw Ownership. After completing the form, mail it to the Co-op or drop it off at the Customer Service Desk with your owner card(s). Q. How long will it take to receive a refund for my owner share investment when I withdraw my ownership?A. According to SNFC Bylaws, the Co-op has up to one year to re-purchase this share and send a refund. Contact our owner administrator for more specific information.
|
|
news jobs contact us links site map
|
|