Invest in Co-op Ownership

Your investment as a Bluff Country Co-op owner connects you with neighbors who value the Co-op’s mission for sustainable food.  Ownership supports a business that prioritizes local producers, promotes environmental integrity, fair economic practices and community engagement.

Yet co-op ownership offers much more than just “feel-good” benefits. It also provides tangible opportunities to save money, streamline your shopping experience and to see a return on your investment in profitable years.

Experience the Co-op Difference

As an owner you receive 15% off the price of a case when purchasing a product by Special Order (the purple forms). This can be applied to sale items in the Co+op Deals flier and monthly Owner Deals too! The savings add up substantially over time when purchasing items by the case, especially with frequently used products that have no expiration, (i.e. toilet paper and soap). Case sizes can vary and depending on the product, the quantity can be as little as 6 or as large as 12. Items in our Well-Body department often have 3. Our team of buyers can help answer any questions you might have about case sizes before you order.

Co-op owners receive special savings on select items each month that are just for owners. Sales are marked by orange tags throughout the store and the current Owner Deals flier can be viewed on our website.

An owner account comes with the option of a Declining Balance Gift Card (or more commonly called: ‘Declining Balance’). Cash, check, or credit card can be used to add any amount of credit to your declining balance. The next time you make a purchase, provide the cashier with your owner number or name and your declining balance will appear on the register screen with the option to use it or not.

Owners who maintain a declining balance enjoy this convenient method of payment and find it handy for those frequent visits during the week when grabbing lunch or dinner. A declining balance offers a way to consolidate small transactions under one larger payment in advance. You can use the declining balance to help implement a budget too.

Owners make an investment of equity and understand that they will benefit if the business prospers. In a co-op, this investment is relatively small and is the same for everyone. Additionally, the return on that investment is based on how much the owner shops at the co-op. The prosperity of a co-op is directly linked with the prosperity of its owners.

A “patronage dividend” is essentially a refund issued at the end of the co-op’s fiscal year to owners who purchased goods or services. It is calculated based upon the amount that each owner spends at the store and on how much profit the co-op sees by the end of that fiscal year.  Bluff Country Co-op’s fiscal year ends on June 31.

A small amount of equity from a large number of investors provides a co-op with the capital and financial leverage it needs to continually improve its capacity to serve. By becoming a co-op owner, you are participating in an economic model that is equitable and supporting a business that remains dedicated to enhancing our community’s well-being through access to good food, community classes and events. 

Connect with your community and enjoy owner benefits by joining Bluff Country Co-op! Our staff look forward to getting to know you as an owner, where you are more than just a number, you are a neighbor in our community. We’ll see you in the aisles!