Frequently Asked Questions
Why the cooperative model for a grocery store?When will the store be open?
Why become a member ?
What is a Coop Member ?
Do I have to volunteer time to be a member?
Do I have to join to shop at the store?
What is the name of the store?
What is the location of the store?
What products will the store carry?
I have more questions about benefits.
Who is on the Indy Food Cooperative Board?
I'm a business. Can I Join Indy Food Coop?
Can I pay my Founding Membership in installments?
What if I cannot pay for a membership?
If the food coop doesn't open, will I get my membership money back?
Why the cooperative model for a grocery store?
A cooperative is based on a group of people coming together to meet a need. In this case, a group of us (who started out as interested parties and now make up the board along with members) have come together with the goal of filling a grocery need in our community. As a non-profit grocer, we believe that we can meet the need for fresh, local, organic and affordable produce and products in a way that for-profit supermarkets are not. Collectively, we are working together to get a storefront grocery to fill this gap.Back to Top.
When will the store be open?
We expect to open our store "Fall Harvest" 2009.Back to Top.
Why become a Member?
The basis of a cooperative is a common goal -- in this case, access to healthy food -- and to be successful as a food cooperative, we require the commitment of many people in our community to support it's efforts by becoming members and shopping at the store for daily food needs. Becoming a member is critical in our necessity to determine that there is a broad base of community support for our effort -- nothing says commitment like investment! In addition, as a non-profit storefront food cooperative, we will have access to start-up assistance dollars and grants. Funders need to see that an organization that they fund has the support of the community. Membership is an important step for Indy Food Coop. The membership fee is only a small, but important part of an organization's overall revenue.Back to Top.
What is a Coop Member?
We are currently seeking people to make a lifetime (one-time) equity investment of $125 in the coop, plus a per shopper fee of $25. For your investment and each per shopper fee, you receive:One (1) membership
One (1) shopping card per shopper fee paid
One (1) vote in all general membership elections
EXAMPLE: TWO-ADULT HOUSEHOLD
One-time equity investment = $125
2 adult shoppers x $25 each = $50
TOTAL MEMBERSHIP FEE = $175
Member benefits include:
- Discounts on selected products throughout the store
- Bulk and case order discounts
- Discount on coop classes and events
- Coop newsletter
- Ability to run for elected office on board of directors seat
- Founding member gift
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Do I have to volunteer time to be a member?
No, there is no requirement of volunteering for the cooperative with a membership. We do hope to offer opportunities to volunteer and participate in aspects of the store, but basic operations will be undertaken by paid staff.Back to Top.
Do I have to join to shop at the store?
Anyone will be able to shop at the store. However, only members will be able to take advantage of discounts, voting rights and eligibility for a board position.Back to Top.
What is the name of the store?
The board considered three different possible names for the store. At the membership kick-off meeting in November 2008, we enlisted feedback from attendees on the name which will help us determine the final name. We will announce that name in the near future.Back to Top.
What is the location of the store?
The location of the store will be just east of downtown Indianapolis. We seek a location that will provide a neighborhood feel, but is also accessible by interstate, bus, bike and foot. The ideal location will offer approximately 6,000 square feet of space, adequate parking, and the opportunity for expansion in the future.Back to Top.
What products will the store carry?
The focus of the store is to support local, fresh, organic and affordable products to the largest degree possible and available. These products include produce, dairy products, meat and poultry, fresh and frozen items, bulk goods, baked goods, personal care products and more. A few conventional and/or name brand products may also be available. Over time, we will seek value-added opportunities, such as a deli, a coffee shop or a bakery. All the products are intended to support a healthier way of life for those who live in and around Indianapolis.Back to Top.
I have more questions about benefits.
To follow is some additional information about each benefit offered by the cooperative:In addition to having one (1) vote per membership on general membership matters, the other benefits of joining include:
Although coops in the past have, in large part, offered a flat discount on all member purchases, time has shown this to be an unsustainable practice. Coops that have used this set up ("refunding" profit before there is a profit) have continued to struggle economically for decades, despite strong community support. Instead, we have chosen to offer only selected discounts. This practice works well for the coop and the member-owners in the following ways: if we receive a standard product from a vendor for less than the typical cost, we will pass the savings on to member-owners only: seasonally appropriate items, such as turkey for Thanksgiving, may be offered at a discount for member-owners: we may also offer coupons or have a discount day where member-owners can get a 10 percent discount on their entire order.
When members special order a case from one of our suppliers we will offer it at a very slight percentage above wholesale.
We're planning a very extensive educational component to be a cornerstone of our coop concept. Classes on cooking, baking, gardening, menu-planning and more -- all of these will be offered either at a discount or free to our member-owners.
Our coop is essentially a representative democracy. You choose the members of the board and they decide most issues. All board meetings are open to members and record of the meetings will be made available. And there are methods of redress should a member-owner feel that an issue needs to be considered by the entire membership. (Our bylaws will be posted soon.)
An education aspect will be a major part of our business. Newsletters will include articles on various food issues, recipes, community highlights, gardening tips and other related information, as well as a formal outlet for our membership to share their various knowledge with one another.
A sturdy canvas tote/shopping bag with our logo is what we're thinking. There are a handful of other benefits still being considered by the board. We have been striving toward consensus and although there is overwhelming support for these benefits, some concerns of various board members have yet to be adequately addressed and thus they have not yet been included.
Note: There will be NO mandatory work requirements or purchase minimums. These are not in keeping with our mission and vision.
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Who is on the Indy Food Cooperative Board?
Please visit the Who We Are page for a full list of board members and Founding 150 members.Back to Top.
I'm a business. Can I join Indy Food Coop?
Yes. Whether you are a business that wants to shop at the coop (such as a restaurant), supply products to the coop, or just want to join under your business name, membership and benefits are the same for all, individuals, businesses or organizations.Back to Top.
Can I pay my Founding Membership in installments?
Yes, we are living in difficult economic times. As such, we are accepting installment of either $50 or $25. To qualify, you must simply send regular, incremental payments until the balance is paid in full.Back to Top.
What if I cannot pay for a membership?
Providing healthy food to low-income families is an important part of the Indy Food Co-op mission. As stated above, we are accepting the membership dues in installments if that is helpful for some. In addition, membership will not be required in order to shop at the store, but will be required to take advantage of the best prices on products. The goal of the organization will be to eventually be able to provide a scholarship fund to assist with the cost of membership, to accept food stamps, and to otherwise find ways to serve the grocery needs of the community at large, no matter what the income level.Back to Top.
If the food coop doesn't open, will I get my membership money back?
Indy Food Coop has every intension of opening its doors to fill an important grocery gap in Indianapolis. However, since this question has been asked, we wanted for people to understand that like any investment, there is always risk, though in this instance, it is a small risk. As such, if the food coop were not to open, we would evenly distribute all monies that remained in the account to the members of the organization. However, since we are spending small amounts of money for start-up costs, such as marketing materials, the website and other things, we would be unable to reimburse members an amount equal to their membership investment.Back to Top.