Illustration by Lucas Rate

“Everyone can shop at the Moscow Food Co-op, and anyone can join.” You’ve seen that on our window and maybe you don’t think about it anymore, but some of us think about it all the time.

You know those little thought bubbles above cartoon characters’ heads? Well, the one above my head says, “How we can make joining the Co-op the better deal? What makes membership a good value? And what does membership even mean??”

Some members value the intangibles more than anything: belonging to a community of people who share some of their values; seeing their friends whenever they’re in the store; helping keep good food available in the community; not only supporting but also owning a business that is completely local, democratically organized, and based on other principles besides profit.

Other people prefer more tangible benefits: monthly sale prices, MAD days, discounts on case orders, coupon books, the right to vote for our board of directors, discounts on classes and movies, exclusive members-only classes, and the chance to volunteer for the Co-op are at the top of the list. We’ll be having a members-only “case sale” this fall, too.

For most members, the value of these more than pays for the $10 annual membership investment. But there is another tangible we’re planning on offering in the future that will outshine all the rest: a patronage refund.

 Patronage refunds occur when a portion of profits are returned to members based on the value of their purchases. The distribution, determined by the Board of Directors, can be in cash, coupons or equity.

Co-op members who are also members of cooperatives like REI, who have long offered patronage refunds, might wonder why the Co-op hasn’t issued them before. For the past few years, any Co-op profits have been reinvested in the store. There has not been anything left over for a patronage refund.

But despite the economic challenges we’re experiencing now, the Co-op is poised to become profitable enough to consider a patronage refund, thanks to efficient management and the continuing support of our customers and members.

So throughout the rest of 2009 the employees of the Co-op will be working hard to keep the store running as tightly as possible, and to set up the patronage refund guidelines, so that we can begin to offer them as soon as possible after the end of this fiscal year, pending the Board’s approval. The Board, in turn, will consider the merits of the patronage refund, and decide if the Co-op is ready to take that step. Those are our assignments.

As members, you also have an assignment. Give your membership number to the cashier every time you make a purchase. Your member number is the way we can accurately track your purchases for a possible patronage refund.

Participation will be completely optional, of course. If you don’t wish to receive a patronage refund for whatever reason, you don’t need to have your membership number associated with your purchases. But to receive any of the other benefits of membership, such as sale prices, volunteer discounts, or case discounts, you’ll still need to show your membership card.

Back when the Co-op only had a few hundred members, membership cards and numbers weren’t necessary. But now, with transactions numbering 1,200 per day, and a membership base of over 5,000, we just can’t expect anyone to keep track of our current members without those cards.

Showing your membership card, no matter who you are, how long you’ve been a member, or how often you’re in the store, makes it easier on the cashiers, and fairer for everyone. It really is in the co-operative spirit, and we know that once it becomes a habit it won’t be a big deal.

We’ll keep everyone informed about the status of the patronage refund program throughout the year, through articles in the newsletter and signage in the store.