Become a Member-Owner
When you join the Co-op, you become part owner of our unique, values-driven business, with over 10,000 other Member-Owners. Your investment builds equity for the Co-op and helps us stay on solid financial ground. A full share in the co-op is $180, and is good for life. You can choose to split this up into payments of at least $30 a year.
As a Member-Owner of People’s Food Co-op you are entitled to certain benefits. First and most importantly, you benefit from the knowledge that you are a co-owner and supporter of an independent, community-owned business that supports the local economy, ethical purchasing, and human cooperation.
Member Benefits
Special Promotions and Discounts
Member-Owners receive discounts and coupons, sales and event notifications, quarterly newsletters and an annual report sent to your home address.
Hands-On Owner Program
This program allows you to lend a hand in the store and receive a discount up to 15% off your regular purchases as thanks.
Patronage Dividend
When you shop, you earn patronage points, the more you spend, the more patronage points you earn. Your patronage points are linked with your Member-Owner number. When the co-op makes a profit, you will receive a percentage of what you spent at the co-op as a Patronage Dividend. Yearly, People’s Board of Directors determines how much of the co-op’s profits should be retained for the good of the co-op, and how much to distribute to shareholders.
Democratic Voice
As a PeopleShare holder, you can run for our Board of Directors, and vote in our annual election process. Only the primary shareholder can participate in People’s democratic process. This is the only benefit not available to your entire household.
How to sign up:
First time Member-Owner?
You can sign up to become a Member-Owner at the register! This takes a few minutes. You’ll get a cute tote bag filled with resources and your Member-Owner ID card.
In order to sign up, we need:
name of primary shareholder (you can change your name but shares cannot be transferred to a different person)
phone or email
address (it can be your friends!)
Shares cost $180 in total and can be paid in $30 increments per year. We can split up the $30 payment, too! If this cost is prohibitive, consider applying to our Pay It Forward Fund (PIF).
If you are signing someone else up for a membership remotely, please email info@peoples.coop or call the store and we’ll help set you up!
re-investing in a share?
We’ll help you at register. If your name, address, or contact information has changed please tell us and we’ll update our system.
If you are unable to come to the store, please send a check to People’s Food Co-op with the shareholder’s name or member number in the memo. Call the store or email finance@peoples.coop if you need further assistance.
If you’d like to invest in your share but funds are tight, check out our Pay It Forward Fund. We’ll cover the $30 equity payment, which means you’ll be a Member-Owner for another year!
