Ideally, we’ll be located somewhere in the greater South Austin area. Our exact location will be determined as we move closer toward our goal of opening a store front.

Cooperatives are owned by their community of users. Our memberships are not fees - they are equity investments. Owning equity means that all members of the co-op own an equal part of it and have equal votes in its governance. Like all co-ops, we self-finance through membership shares that provide the basic capitalization for our business. Alone, none of us could imagine starting a vibrant grocery store for local, natural foods. By coming together as a community and pooling our resources we can make this dream a reality.

Like many small businesses, cooperatives often face the problem of undercapitalization in early years. The Fair Share program addresses this problem. Instead of buying one large lump sum of membership equity up front, members are expected to purchase shares annually, based on the needs of the co-op. This approach has been pioneered by several existing co-ops, including Open Harvest in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Tidal Creek in Wilmington, North Carolina. Yearly equity investments allow the flexibility and financial stability co-ops need to thrive, while reminding us as members of our ownership and connection to the cooperative community.

Absolutely not! Anyone can join.

A co-operative is a business, and businesses require continued investments by their owners. An annual equity share will guarantee that our business stays solvent and gives us the opportunity to grow and meet future needs.

The Fair Share is NOT a fee or “membership” in the Costco sense. The Fair Share you pay annually is an investment you make and goes directly back into the business. It’s your equity in the business.

Becoming a co-op member means that you have equity in the business, and you have a say as to how that business is run. You can vote for representatives (board members) who represent your interests, or you can run as a board member yourself. In short, you have a say as to how you’d like your business run.

Location: Austin is growing, and so many of us here in South Austin thought we would like a food co-op that would be close by. This means it would be easier for people in the immediate area to walk, bike or jog there. It would also be close to bordering neighborhoods such as East Austin and Oak Hill, as well as outlying areas south of Austin.
Also, having a food co-op located south means that we could become a focal point for our community here. We not only want buy and promote local, we want to be local.
Structure: We’ve looked at many food co-ops across the country, and we have tried to structure ours in a way that embraces the best aspects of many of these.

A food co-operative or “co-op” is a group of people who collectively own and operate a grocery store and share the common values of group management and decision making, social responsibility, and equality. People who join the co-op are called, “members”.