What is a “Cooperative”? How does it work?
A cooperative is a business. Co-ops range in size from small storefronts to Fortune 500 companies. In many ways co-ops are like other businesses — but in several important ways they’re unique and different. Cooperatives are member-owned, member-governed businesses that operate for the benefit of their members according to common principles agreed upon by the international cooperative community. In co-ops, members pool resources to bring about economic results that are unobtainable by one person alone. Most simply put, a cooperative is a business that’s: (1) voluntarily owned by the people who use it, and (2) operated for the benefit of its members.
Co-ops can be organized for the benefit of consumers, producers and workers and operate in almost all areas. For instance, consumer co-ops provide food, housing, health care (the original HMOs were co-ops), financial services (credit unions), and other goods and services. Producer co-ops most typically offer agricultural services for farmers – either inputs (e.g. seed, fertilizer, fencing) or processing and marketing (e.g. milk bottling and cheese production). Worker co-ops offer cab services, cleaning, manufacturing, and food production. Regardless of the goods and services provided, co-ops aim to meet their members’ needs. Learn more about consumer grocery cooperatives.
Do I have to be a member to shop at the Littleton Food Co-op?
No, everyone is — and always will be — welcome to shop at the Co-op.
If membership isn’t mandatory, why should I join?
Membership is ownership! Unlike other businesses with models involving some form of membership, when you become a member of the Littleton Food Co-op, you’re purchasing your own piece of the business. Our Member-owners help the Co-op support numerous local food growers and producers and work with area nonprofits (and community initiatives) to develop a healthier and more prosperous Littleton area. Littleton Food Co-op members are also responsible for the governance of the cooperative by: (1) Annually nominating and electing their peers (fellow members) to positions on the board of directors. (2) Voting directly on any major proposed changes to our bylaws or governance operations.
Member-owners also: (1) Save 10% on their birthday, member appreciation days, and member appreciation weekends (2) Senior (age 65+) member-owners save 10% during our monthly senior member discount days. (3) Member owners are eligible to receive patronage rebates following profitable years for the cooperative (at the board’s discretion). (4) Members receive discounted pricing on special orders of cases. (5) Save 5% to 10% on all supplements every Wednesday.
How is the Co-op different from a typical grocery store?
Littleton Food Co-op is a local, community-owned business, and we promote a strong and sustainable community economy by supporting other local businesses. In 2017 alone, Littleton Food Co-op spent $2.1M purchasing products grown or produced in our community — nearly a third of purchasing that year (28%). Every dollar spent at the Littleton Food Co-op has roughly three times as much local economic impact compared to a dollar spent at a non-locally owned or operated business.
What makes a product “Local”?
We define a product’s locality in a few ways: (1) Products produced within the greater Littleton Area (Littleton +15 Miles) (2) Products produced within a hundred-mile radius of the Co-op, and/or (3) Products produced in our native New Hampshire or a neighboring state: Vermont, Maine or (sometimes) Massachusetts.
Is there a fee for charging my electric car at the Co-op?
The Littleton Food Co-op is proud to offer FREE electric car charging. We do, however, ask that you consider making a donation (of any size) to our Partner of the Month program. Pay it forward! Contributions can be made at the Service Desk or during regular checkout.
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