Bozeman Co-op Membership

Co-op Membership FAQs

Signing Up

1. Do I have to be a member to shop at your Co-op?

No, though our members are our owners and receive benefits for their equity and involvement, everyone is welcome to shop at our Co-op!

2. How do I become a member?

Membership sign up forms can be accessed online or at either of our  locations. Just ask your cashier and they can help you sign up!

3. How does member ownership differ from a traditional grocery store membership?

Beyond offering our members deals on their shopping trips, we are committed to providing our members with education and information on how they can better serve themselves and our shared community.

At its core, Co-op membership is collective ownership of our store. Our members own us through their shared equity and decide the direction and identity of our store though shopping, requesting products, and voting in our annual board elections.

4. Can my family use my member benefits?

Benefits, like memberships, are individual. We offer benefits to our members for their loyalty and ownership. Family members who are 19 years old and under may use the membership of a parent or guardian, but membership sharing is not otherwise permitted.

5. Can I use my membership at both Coop locations?

Yes, both Co-op locations represent the same cooperative group of member owners. Membership with our Co-op means benefits at all Bozeman Community Food Co-op locations.

Membership Benefits

1. What are the benefits of Co-op membership?

We are proud to offer economic, community, and educational benefits to our members. Specific information on our membership benefits can be found on our Membership page.

2. Are my membership perks automatically applied at checkout?

Members Save More, Wellness Wednesday, and EATS discounts will be automatically applied when your membership is associated with your transaction.

FoodENews Coupons and Eco-Rewards Punch Cards must be presented to your cashier to be manually applied.

3. Do Members receive dividends?

One of the responsibilities of our Board of Directors, at the end of each year, is to determine the allocation of any excess capital the Co-op may have. In recent years, we have made significant efforts to expand our store and have elected to allocate our funding toward that effort.

Ultimately, our board is your voice. If you have strong opinions about the allocation of the Co-op’s capital, we encourage you to run for a position on our board to make your voice heard.

4. What is the best way to save money at the Co-op?

Pay attention to our rotating deals! Every Wednesday we have a new FoodENews coupon that can be used once a day every day for the week it is active. Every other Wednesday, our Members Save More discounts rotate to a new set of up to 100 out of over 500 eligible products.

5. What happens to my member equity if I move away or no longer wish to be a member?

You can sell it back to us by coming into our West Main location or have us donate it to the food bank. The Co-op may elect to terminate inactive memberships after a period of five years if we cannot get a hold of you. Terminated member equity will be donated to the food bank.

If you think your contact information or mailing address might be out of date just ask your cashier and they will be happy to help  get everything updated.

Getting Involved

1. What is the Co-op board of directors, and how can I run for a position?

Our Board is our identity. As a co-op, we are run by the democratic input of our membership. Our Board Meets once a month to discuss our co-op and make decisions that shape our future. More information on running for the board can be found on our Board of Directors page.

2. How do I vote in Co-op board elections?

Our voting process has gone fully digital. Voting typically takes place in September and runs until … The results of our election will be announced at our fall General Membership Meeting.

3. Are there any member meeting or events?

Our members are invited to attend a General Membership Meeting each fiscal year to announce Board of Directors election results and discuss other business such as financial reports.

One of our core values as a Co-op is education. We offer our members access to educational opportunities like our Co-op Tours, Farm & Ranch Tours, and Gather & Grow speaker series.

4. How can I stay up to date on Co-op events?

Every week we send out our FoodENews digital newsletter, which provides up-to-date information on upcoming Co-op events and engagement opportunities. Our website blog is also regularly updated with important information about our Co-op, our neighbors, and our community.

5. How can I get more involved at the Co-op?

Keep an eye on Co-op communications like Newsletters and Blog Posts for up-to-date information on upcoming events and engagement opportunities.

We are proud to serve our community and are happy to have you here with us. The Co-op is nothing without the space and people around it. Even when there are no opportunities to work directly with us, you can serve our community by:

• Going outside.
• Picking up trash.
• Planting flowers for the bees.
• Staying informed on local issues.
• Volunteering with other local groups who work tirelessly to make our community a better place for everyone.

Updating Your Information and Preferences

1. What should I do if I lost my card or forgot my member number?

Our cashiers are happy to help you access your account to get your information. If you have lost your card, let your cashier know you would like a new one and we will get one ordered for you.

2. How do I apply for the EASTS program?

Our EATS (Enough Abundance To Share) program is open to members in good standing who currently participate in any of the following programs.

• WIC
• MHK (Montana Healthy Kids)
• Medicaid
• Extra Help Through Medicare
• Section 8 Housing
• SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
• Property Tax Assistance Program for seniors
• SNAP (food stamp/EBT)

Qualifying members receive a 15% discount for a period of six months. After six months, your EATS discount can be renewed.

To apply, visit our customer service desk and ask for an EATS Program application.

This Program is a benefit of membership, non-members (even spouses/partners) may not use your discount.

3. How do I sign up for FoodENews?

You can Sign up for FoodENews here. Just submit your first name, last name, and email address to sign up!

4. Is there an online form to update my contact information, or do I need to come into the store?

There is no online form to update of change member information. If you need to change your contact information, you can ask your cashier or any customer service representative in the store for help filling out a Member Matters form.

5. Can I transfer my member equity to someone else?

No, membership is non-transferrable. If you would like to transfer your membership to another person, you can sell your equity back to us to purchase a new membership.