Become A Member of the Moonflower Co-op

Become A Member of the Moonflower Co-op2024-08-20T16:29:05-06:00

What is a co-op?

A co-op is a business owned and democratically controlled by its members, who share the profits or benefits.

The International Cooperative Alliance defines a cooperative as “an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.”

We abide by the Seven International Cooperative Principles, which are:

  1. Voluntary, Open Ownership
  2. Democratic Owner Control
  3. Owner Economic Participation
  4. Autonomy and Independence
  5. Education, Training, and Information
  6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives
  7. Concern For the Community

Our member-owners sustain our co-op through democratic participation and control. Join the co-op today!

2022 Annual Owner Meeting

Why Join?

Joining a food cooperative provides the foundation for a resilient, locally rooted economy centered on community involvement and democratic participation.

Invest and Participate

Membership is co-op ownership. Your co-op membership should be considered a stock purchase rather than an expiring membership. You are truly purchasing a share of stock in the cooperative business itself.

  • Democratically participate in your local food co-op
  • Directly invest in the local economy & support local non-profits
  • Vote in elections and on proposals
  • Serve on the Board of Directors and advisory committees

View our Co-op Bylaws (updated August 2021)

Invest and Save

Co-op membership offers numerous financial benefits, including:

  • Receiving 10% discount on a single entire purchase each quarter
  • Receiving a 10% discount on Supplement Saturdays
  • Accessing members-only monthly sales on a variety of products
  • Accessing members-only special store-wide discounts approximately once per quarter (Earth Day Sale, Summer Stock Up Sale, Anniversary Sale, Year End Customer Appreciation Sale)
  • Receiving an additional discount (reduced markup of 15% above cost) on special orders
  • Receiving an annual patronage dividend based on co-op purchases when annual profits are sufficient
  • Writing checks up to $40 over purchase amount (cash-back)

View our 2017 Co-op Owner Guide for more details.

This Month’s Owner Deals

Purchase Membership

$100 is good for a lifetime membership for you and your family members.

To become a member, simply choose if you would like to make a one-time payment of $100, or 5 annual payments of $20. If you choose 5 annual payments, you will receive a notification annually for your payment. You may pay your balance for the full $100 any time at the register.

Purchase in Full

Make a one time payment of $100 for a lifetime membership for you and your family to the Co-op. Please allow three days for us to process your online membership sign-up.

Purchase in Installments

Choose to pay for your lifetime membership with the payment plan, where $20 can be paid today, and again annually for 5 years total. Please allow three days for us to process your online membership sign-up.

We require an updated mailing address, phone number, and email address for co-op members in order to facilitate annual voting on new Board of Directors appointees and amendments to the co-op bylaws. Monthly newsletters are emailed to co-op members detailing upcoming events, monthly owner sales, news from the General Manager and Board of Directors, and more. We do not sell or publicize any information provided by our membership.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cooperative businesses are non-profit, member-owned, democratic institutions. They are controlled by a member-elected Board of Directors and abide by the Seven International Cooperative Principles, which include:

  1. Voluntary, Open Ownership
  2. Democratic Owner Control
  3. Owner Economic Participation
  4. Autonomy and Independence
  5. Education, Training, and Information
  6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives
  7. Concern For the Community

Our goods emphasize healthy, locally grown, organic, and fairly traded selections. We’re also committed to strengthening the local economy by serving as a market place that uses fair buying and selling practices which support regional growers, vendors and artisans. Through various community outreach programs, we give back to the community and donate thousands of dollars each year to local non-profits, organizations, and individuals in need.

Yes, but we encourage people to become members.

No, anyone can become an owner.

No.

The members, through their election of the Board of Directors and participation on committees.

Membership supports a locally based, resilient economy and enhances community control of the co-op. Your investment in the co-op also bolsters our ability to give back to the community through donations, grants, sponsorships, and other aid to local groups and individuals in need.

Payments can be made in 5 installments of $20 annually.

Complete your membership installment plan (if applicable), shop at the co-op, and attend our Annual Meeting and vote during our elections every August!

None.

You can run for the Board of Directors, serve on committees, or volunteer for events.

Your co-op membership should be considered a stock purchase rather than an expiring membership. You are truly purchasing a share of stock in the cooperative business itself. This share is refundable upon request, and at the discretion of the Board of Directors. To request a refund of your membership/share, please visit our Current Owners page and fill out the Membership Withdrawal Request form. (Alternatively, you may print the form, fill it out, and mail it to the co-op.)

Yes! Your dividend can always be reinvested back into the co-op. Please visit our Current Owners page and fill out the Patronage Donation form, or print it out, fill it out, and drop off at the co-op to do so.

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