Happy Co-op Month! Here are four ways you can support the Co-op during Co-op Month and beyond.
Shop at People’s first.
The Co-op is your store now, and the nest way to support your investment is to shop here! Member-Owners are the heart of the cooperative. As a part owner of a food cooperative, you (along with several thousand others) share the responsibility to help our business thrive.
The amount that you spend at the Co-op directly affects the Co-op’s success and its ability to provide for its member-owners with both excellent food and other products. Additionally, the more you (and the membership and a whole) shop at the Co-op, the more likely it is that you will see a financial return on your investment as part owner of this business. In 2021, the Board paid out over $57,000 to the Member-Owners (as patronage dividends) for their purchases in 2020.
Lastly, shopping at the Co-op means you are supporting your local economy by putting your dollars into the pockets of local farmers, producers, and your neighbors. Check out our buying guidelines for details.
Give us feedback.
Want us to carry a specific product? Have an idea for how People’s can better serve your needs? Fill out a comment card in the store or get in touch at info@peoples.coop. We will also share our biennial customer survey next week. Filling our our survey is a great way to give us concrete, constructive feedback.
Show up to events and spread the word.
Consider participating in the many events we host at People’s. Events include our weekly farmers market, special market days, film screenings, our Annual Meeting, courtyard tastings, and much more. The success of these events hinges on your participation!
Your network is powerful, please use it! You too can help the Co-op by spreading the word, encouraging friends and neighbors to shop at the Co-op, participate in events, and even become members. Follow and share our posts on social media, too!
Invest in your share. If you are fully invested, then support future members by contributing to the Pay It Forward Fund.
October is the best time to invest in your People’s share! Those who become Member-Owners or reinvest in their share get a special Co-op beanie. If you are fully invested but still want to show support (and get a beanie) then donate to the Pay It Forward Fund*.
The Pay It Forward Membership Fund (PIF) helps provide free Co-op memberships to community members who cannot afford this investment. This program is funded by People’s Member Owners to expand access to Co-op membership benefits, including discounts, patronage dividends, and the ability to participate in the Co-op’s democratic processes.
Folks who want to become a Member-Owner but are financially unable to invest in a share can apply for a PIF Membership. This is also open to folks who have been Member-Owners but are unable to continue due to the cost. Applications will be available online and at the register very soon! PIF recipients will be selected at random, and will be granted memberships when funds are available.
If you donate $30+ to the PIF fund in one transaction, you are able to get a People’s Co-op Month beanie!
*This promotion is only available to those who invest in October.
