Membership

Welcome to The Olympia Food Co-op, your member owned and collectively managed local food co-op! First-time shoppers are welcome to shop our grocery stores at member prices, as are members of other food Co-ops. Non-members are also welcome to shop anytime, but pay 10% above shelf prices. To join, just come on in to either location and fill out a form.

Our memberships are affordable at $29 for a fully paid membership, as part of our purpose statement to “make good food accessible to more people”.  We also offer an option to pay your membership dues off over several years, free memberships to seniors and people living with disabilities, and for those whose income falls below self-sufficiency an additional 10% discount on all purchases.

You can check out our member guide for more information including membership rights & responsibilities. We also have an annual membership meeting where you can have your voice heard!

As a member you’re invited to participate in our working member program, a key element of our vibrant Co-op community. Working members receive an additional 25% discount on groceries based upon hours. Our working members are an active part of daily store operations – such as stocking and cashiering – and are also involved in special projects. For more info on this program, visit the Member Services desk in either store to sign up for an introduction tour or email workingmembercat@olympiafood.coop

Benefits of Membership:

  • you can shop at shelf prices (non-members pay 10% above the shelf price)
  • you can place special orders for cases of products and receive a 10% discount
  • you can use our online store for curbside pick up (at no additional cost)
  • you are eligible to become a working member and receive a 25% discount
  • you may vote in the elections for our board members
  • you may run for our Board of Directors
  • you are entitled to receive the Olympia Food Co-op Newsletter

Download and print your own membership form here

Types of Memberships

If you are under 18 years of age, you do not need to join; you may shop at member prices without being a member

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS we do not offer household/family memberships

Regular members

  • pay a one-time $5 membership processing fee (non-refundable)
  • pay $24 total in membership dues also known as equity, either all at once, or at a minimum rate of $6 per year until complete; your dues are refundable upon request
  • first year equity payment ($6) and membership fee ($5) are due the day you join

Senior members (over 62) or member with a disability

  • free membership, equity and membership fees are waived
  • if the member is unable to shop in person, another person may be designated to use the membership
  • we welcome any and all suggestions for increasing the accessibility of the Co-op

Cooperative Access Program

  • free membership, no equity, 10% discount, and renewable one-year membership
  • this membership is available to anyone whose financial condition would prevent their access to shopping at the Co-op, based on any of the following criteria:
      1. income from employment, pensions, retirement, or elsewhere inadequate to support basic needs
      2. unemployed and without familial support and/or other financial resources
  • if you are unsure whether you qualify, the Co-op suggests using the Self Sufficiency Calculator for Washington State, a free online resource to help determine your financial self sufficiency. There are internet stations available in our stores if you need help accessing the calculator. The calculator can be found at www.thecalculator.org

BUSINESS/ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIPS

Trade Business or Non-Profit Community Organization Member

    • a collectively managed business, or an Olympia Food Co-op supplier, or a non-profit organization
    • free membership, no equity, 10% discount
    • any representative of the organization may use the membership to make business-related purchases only

Business Member

    • pay a one-time non-refundable fee of $30, there is no equity
    •  any representative of the business may use the membership to make business related purchases only

EQUITY & FEES INFO

  • equity is kept in the Co-op’s capital account, and are refundable to active members wanting to relinquish their membership
  • the one-time $5 membership fee is non-refundable
  • for more information, contact us here, or at one of our locations

MEMBERSHIP POLICY

  • the Olympia Food Co-op memberships are for individual use only
  • to receive member prices, members must always present their membership card or enter membership by phone or name
  • dependent children may shop at member prices without a card until age 18
  • active members must retain a current address or email on file, and keep their equity current
  • active members become inactive if they:
    1. fail to make timely equity payments; or
    2. fail to maintain current contact information on file for one year; or
    3. fail to renew a Cooperative Access Membership; or
    4. fail to interact with the Co-op for a period of six years or more (interacting can be responding to a communication from the Co-op, voting in the annual election, or shopping at the Co-op);
    5. request inactive status.

Membership Form PDF