Return On Investment: Owner Benefits
Becoming an owner of Central Co-op means purchasing a share and supporting the Co-op with your patronage and participation. Co-op owners and the broader community receive returns on those investments. Join us!
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Stronger Seattle, Tacoma, and Washington Economy
- Keep more money right here at home! In general, food co-ops have a bigger impact on the local economy than conventional grocers because they source locally and spend more on labor, and Central Co-op's impact is even greater than the average co-op!. We contracted a study of our impact by a respected third-party evaluator and found that 52 cents our of every dollar spent at Central Co-op stays in the state, compared to an national average of 36 cents for co-ops and 23 cents for corporate stores!
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Systemic Change
- Strategic partnerships: The Northwest is home to diverse grassroots efforts working to level our inequitable food and economic systems. Through action, legislative advocacy, donations, and our Central Community Partners program, Central Co-op strategically aligns with organizations that share our values.
- Supporting Our Community: We choose Community Partners annually, and help subsidize and promote their efforts throughout the year. They are community-led organizations who improve access to nutritious food in our area, connect with like communities around the world, build people power for equitable food and economic systems, and more. Because building healthy communities takes many hands, we also make smaller donations to nearly 200 organizations throughout the year.
- Supporting Our Ecosystem: We work to protect and restore eco-systems by what we sell, how we do business and by being part of community initiatives.
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Patronage Dividends
- Support the Co-op and share in our success! Patronage dividends allow us to strengthen our Co-op so we can continue to serve our community now and in the future. Our board will have the option of allocating dividends to owners based on your patronage from the previous year, with some being retained as needed and some being distributed as deemed prudent.
- More about Patronage Dividends
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Owner Discount Days
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Owner Coupons & Discounts
- Weekly Owner Coupon: Available online on our homepage and Facebook
- 10% case discount: Owners receive 10% off cases of pre-ordered goods. Order cases for pickup during your Owner Discount Days shopping trip, and stack the discounts. (Some quantity limitations may apply. Co+op Basics items not included.)
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Participation
- Run for the Nominating Committee: Be active in recruiting new Board Members and help shape the future of the Co-op.
- Run for the Board of Trustees: Represent your fellow owners and take part in the Co-op's long-term planning.
- Vote in Co-op elections: Elect board members, nominating committee members, and more.
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Admission to Owner-Only Events
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How does ownership work?
Central Co-op is a solidarity cooperative. Solidarity cooperatives take different forms, but at Central that means we're owned and democratically controlled by customers and workers who have each purchased a share of the business.
One consumer share of Central Co-op costs $100. Consumer and worker shares are an equity investment that helps us purchase inventory and equipment, finance operations, and minimize outside debt. Owners also support the Co-op by shopping and working here, and by participating in the Co-op's democratic processes.
Like the sound of all that? Join us!
