What is a Food Coop?
A food co-op is basically a grocery store that is owned and operated by its members. Most food coops try to take a socially responsible approach to the food and products that they sell, offering local and/or organic options where possible alongside cost-effective alternatives. Cost-effectiveness is a key attribute of all food coops, with the cooperative principle of working allowing the organization to offer goods at substantially below the prices of all normal grocery stores. All members invest a small amount of money in the coop when they join, with this money refundable if they decide to leave at some point in the future. Every member has an equal say in the running of a coop, and can vote on issues that are relevant to the running of the store and the organization, from food choices through to physical changes to the store. Many coops use member labor in some way. This allows the coop to significantly reduce its running costs (and pass on the savings to its members) and at the same
