important information about ownership
Owner Benefits
Ownership at Food Shed Co-op comes with serious perks!
When you join Food Shed Co-op, you are purchasing a piece of our community-owned grocery store. While you don’t have to be an owner to shop, co-op member-owners receive many benefits. You own the store where you shop!
• All shoppers enjoy regular weekly deals & savings.
• All shoppers can get a 10% discount on special ordering by the case.
(Visit us in store for pricing).
• As a brand new owner, you will receive a special welcome coupon that you can use immediately!
• Owners get advanced notice to register for events and classes.
• Owners have a vote on matters of the Co-op, they are able to vote in Board of Directors elections or they can run to be on the Board.
• You get the opportunity to save with monthly Owner-only Deals.
• You are eligible to receive patronage dividends during the Co-op’s profitable years, subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors.
CO-OP DEALS are for all of our shoppers and rotate every two weeks to keep sales fresh
OWNER DEALS offer special pricing on select products each month just for co-op owners
CO+OP BASICS offer everyday low prices on popular grocery and household items
After you become an owner...
Once you fill out your owner information and purchase the desired number of shares, you will receive a confirmation email. Once processed, you will receive an email with your brand new OWNER NUMBER! Show your “Food Shed Co-op Owner Number” email to a store cashier or manager on your next visit to the co-op receive your owner packet, owner card and a $10 off welcome coupon. You will use your owner number at the register when you shop at the Food Shed Co-op to take advantage of monthly specials and track annual spending for potential future dividends.
The nitty gritty...
A cooperative is a business that is democratically owned and democratically controlled by its members. Co-ops can be organized for the benefit of consumers, producers and workers and operate in almost all industries, including grocery markets, health care, finance, agriculture, and more. Unlike privately owned businesses where a small amount of investors control the profits, co-ops return surplus revenue to the store and the community, an approach to business that results in a powerful economic force that benefits the co-op, its owners and the communities it serves. Members invest their money as equity and make business decisions democratically to ensure the health and longevity of the Co-op and community. This is why we refer to our members as “member-owners.”
- A share purchase is a one-time only purchase ($100 per share / two share minimum or $200 minimum investment)
- Once you’re an owner you are an owner for life – with no additional costs for those shares
- An owner may purchase up to 10 shares in total ($1000 investment) – but an owner with 2 shares has NO LESS say in the conducting of co-op business than the person owning 10 shares. Additional money invested in the cooperative only shows how much faith you have in a sustainable future for our planet and eating healthy, local food, and keeping as many dollars as we can circulating in McHenry County rather than filling the pockets of the executives at Kroger or other large-conglomerate grocery chains
- Owner’s personal information will never be shared outside of the Food Shed Co-op without their permission.
- YOU MUST BE A RESIDENT OF IL or WI AND at least 18 years old to become a Food Shed Owner!
Please Note: You are buying equity in a member-owned cooperative and this fee is not tax deductible. Tax-deductible donations can be made on our Donate Page via GiveMN.org Purchasing stock in the cooperative is subject to the same risks inherent in any business enterprise. The Cooperative will buy back stock at the original price, less reasonable processing fees, if the Board determines this is possible per the terms of the bylaws.
Owner
Monthly Payments
Two shares of common stock*
*Monthly payment plan is set up in 10 installments of $21.00/month, which includes a $10 administrative fee.
Owner
Financial Assistance
Two shares of common stock*
*Upon application approval and receipt of the initial $21 payment plan installment
