Littleton Food Co-op

a community-owned market

Social Icons

Open Daily 7AM-8PM

  • Home
  • About
    • COVID 19 Info
    • Departments
    • Recall Info
  • Community
    • The Weekly Radish Newsletter
    • DEI at the Co-op
    • Partner of the Month
    • Littleton Food Co-op Community Fund
    • Healthy Food Access Program
    • Listen to Our Podcast
    • Co-op Café & Art Gallery
  • Membership
    • Become a Member!
    • Reports & Governing Documents
    • Patronage Rebates
  • Store
    • Weekly Specials
    • Buy A Gift Card Online
    • Online Ordering & Curbside Pickup
    • Daily Menu
    • Store Map
    • Party Platters & Custom Baskets
    • Local Vendors
    • Co-op Café & Art Gallery
    • Bulk Item Lookup
  • Careers
  • Board of Directors
  • Contact & FAQ
    • Become a Vendor
    • Frequently Asked Questions

Patronage Rebates

We are excited to announce, on behalf of the Littleton Food Co-op’s Board of Directors and our staff, that we have issued a Patronage Rebate for Fiscal Year 2021. 

A Note From Our General Manager

Earlier this year, your Littleton Food Coop Board of Directors declared a $430,000 Patronage Rebate for fiscal year 2021. This Patronage will be distributed to all of our Co-op’s Member-Owners, in proportion to their purchases last year. The Board also decided to retain 80% of that Patronage to reinvest in your Co-op, which is typical. Your portion of the rebate will be linked to your Member Number in the form of a merchandise discount beginning on or about October 10th.

On behalf of our Board and Staff I want to thank you for all of your support over the years. Your Co-op continues to add about 500 new Members every year, and sales will exceed $17 million this year. In a short 13 years we have built an institution to be proud of here in Littleton, which provides a valuable service and gives back to our Community. We are truly stronger together.

Cooperatively, 

Ed King, General Manager


FAQ’s

What is a Patronage Rebate? 

  • Patronage Rebates are determined by the Net Income of the Co-op in a given year, as a way for the Co-op to share its earnings with Members. 
  • Each year the Board of Directors votes on whether to issue a Patronage Rebate, based on the Net Income of the previous year. 
  • This is one of the most powerful tax benefits we derive from being a Cooperative. Co-ops are allowed to distribute the net income earned from sales to Members, as a rebate to Members. The Co-op does not pay taxes on this amount. Nor is your share considered taxable income, since it’s essentially a deferred price reduction on purchases you’ve already made.
  • Patronage dividends celebrate Cooperative Principle #3 – Member Economic Participation. The more you shop at Littleton Co-op, the higher the patronage dividend will be!

How is the Patronage Rebate Calculated?

  • The 2021 Patronage Rebate is $430,000, or 3.82% of Member purchases.
  • 20% ($86,000) will be distributed among our Members as a Patronage Rebate refund.
  • 80% ($344,000) will be retained by the Co-op as capital.

How do I know if I qualify for a 2021 Patronage Dividend Rebate?

To qualify, you must:

  • Be a current Member of Littleton Food Co-op;
  • Have owned at least 1 Member Share between 1/3/2021 and 1/1/2022;
  • Be in good standing with the Co-op; ie, your Membership has not ever been revoked or refunded due to disagreement or belligerent behavior

Also:

  • The more you shopped at the Co-op between 1/3/2021 and 1/1/2022, the higher your Patronage Dividend Rebate will be.
  • Qualifying Members with rebates (including funds accumulated from previous years) greater than $6.00 will receive a letter in the mail in October 2022 notifying them that they have Patronage funds available to them.
  • All available funds from Patronage Dividend Rebates will be applied as a credit to Members’ accounts. Your cashier can look it up in our system.

How do I use my Patronage Dividend Rebate?

  • Rebates are redeemable at Littleton Food Co-op and have been applied as a credit to your account.
  • When making a purchase, let your cashier know that you would like to use your rebate.
  • We encourage you to donate your rebate to the Littleton Food Co-op Community Fund (LFCCF).
  • If your rebate is $50.00 or more you may request payment by check. Contact Minnie Cushing at mcushing@littletoncoop.org.

What is the Littleton Food Co-op Community Fund?

  • LFCCF is a non-profit 501c3 that allows Co-op Members and shoppers to contribute to an endowment that donates to local non-profit organizations.
  • The Co-op earns interest from this Fund, which is then donated to a local organization each year.
  • For more information about LFCCF, click here.

What if I have a more in-depth question about Patronage?
Please reach out to info@littletoncoop.org for general questions. You may also speak with Minnie Cushing in our Finance Department during weekday business hours. If she’s not available, one of our staff can take a message, or you can email her at mcushing@littletoncoop.org.


So, What is “Retained Patronage”?

One common question we get from our Membership is “Why does the Co-op retain so much of the Patronage Rebates?” The short answer is so we can reinvest that money in your Co-op, keeping it running smoothly. Here are a few things we’ve invested in during the last couple of years:

💵 Principle payments on our Bank Debt (according to our Bankers, it’s kind of required!)

💵 Purchasing efficient new equipment, like our shiny new Meat & Seafood service case.

💵 Replacing old or broken down equipment, such as a Rotisserie Oven or Refrigeration Compressor.

💵 Saving for a major capital improvement plan; ie, we’ll likely need to replace much of our refrigeration over the next 7 years with newer and more energy-efficient equipment.

💵 Building reserves for those non-profitable years. Because of record inflation and spiraling labor costs, this year is one of those years. Our reserves allow us to weather the tough times that are inevitable.

These are just some of the things we invest your “Retained Patronage” in, thereby keeping your Co-op running efficiently in good times and challenging times. Cooperatives and Corporations across the country all reinvest in their businesses, since it’s the prudent thing to do for long-term success.

I’m happy to address this question in more detail in person, just reach out anytime.

Cooperatively,
Ed King, General Manager
eking@littletoncoop.org
603-444-2800 ext 201

Get Our Weekly Newsletter!

* indicates required

[test]

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

Senior Member Discount Day

Senior Member Discount Day

April 5, 2023, 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
Senior Member Discount Day is on the 5th!
Create Better Health

Create Better Health

April 5, 2023, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Prepare quick, yummy meals with the things you have on hand! And within your budget! Tasting included! For income eligible …
Create Better Health

Create Better Health

April 12, 2023, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Prepare quick, yummy meals with the things you have on hand! And within your budget! Tasting included! For income eligible …
Create Better Health

Create Better Health

April 19, 2023, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Prepare quick, yummy meals with the things you have on hand! And within your budget! Tasting included! For income eligible …

New! Purchase Gift Cards Online

43 Bethlehem Road· On the corner of Cottage St and Rte 302· Exit 41 off I-93· 603-444-2800
Littleton Consumer Cooperative Society, Inc. ®2019 · Designed by Notchnet