FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can anyone shop at the Coop?
A: Only members may shop at the Coop, but membership is open to all.
Q: Do you have to live in Park Slope to join?
A: No. Our members come from all over Brooklyn as well as the rest of New York – some even come from out of state!
Q: How much does it cost to join?
A: All members must pay a non-refundable $25.00 joining fee and contribute a $100.00 equity investment to the Coop. If you terminate your Coop membership your equity investment will be refunded to you upon your request. Each adult member of your household will be asked to make these member payments. Extended payment plans are available upon request. For members who receive certain kinds of income-based assistance, the joining fee is $5 and the refundable member investment is $10.
Q: Does the Coop accept cents-off coupons? SNAP/Food Stamps? WIC?
A: The Coop accepts manufacturers’ cents-off coupons for any product that we sell. We also accept SNAP/food stamps. However, we are not authorized to accept WIC checks.
Q: Can I save money shopping at the Coop?
A: Depending on what you buy, it is possible to save quite a lot. Our most recent price comparison survey indicates that Coop members save 20- 40% off of their weekly grocery bill
Q: What does the Coop carry? Does the Coop carry organic food? Does the Coop carry only organic food?
A: The Coop carries a wide variety of products (more than 5000 items) to serve a diverse population with a variety of needs. We sell an excellent selection of organic and conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables, fresh meat and fish, groceries, fresh bread and pastries, vitamins, household items, personal care and beauty products, pet products, gift items, and more.
Q: Does the Coop do price or availability checks? I would like to check on availability or price before coming to the Coop to shop.
A: We request that members do not call the Office or message the Coop on social media to pre-check the availability or prices of the items on their shopping list. The Coop does not have the staff required to check prices for all of our members nor can we guarantee that the product will still be available when you shop. The only price list available remotely to Coop members is the produce price list which is updated daily.
Q: Do all members have to work at the Coop?
A: Every member of the Coop must work at the Coop. The work requirement is 2 hours and 45 minutes once every work cycle. Currently, work cycles are six weeks long.
Q: What if I have a health-related issue that prevents me from working?
A: The Coop has many different types of work available. If a member has specific requirements, we work with that person to find a suitable work assignment. Members can be exempt from working at the Coop if they are dealing with a permanent or temporary health condition that makes them unable to work or if they are caring for someone who is ill or disabled.
Q: Why do all members have to work?
A: One of the Coop’s goals is to provide food to the member-owners that is both low priced and high quality. Low prices come primarily from saving money in the area of payroll expense. Payroll is the biggest expense of any store, including this one. The fact that our members do about 75% of the work, thereby keeping our payroll low, is the main reason that the members of this Coop pay low prices. Another goal accomplished when members are doing 75% of the work of the Coop is a feeling of being a member-owner that one cannot get from merely investing one’s money.
Q: Can I pay more and not work?
A: No. We have only one class of membership and everyone pays the same prices and fulfills the same requirements.
Q: Is the Coop a place where I can participate and be part of a community?
A: Major decisions for the Coop are made or approved by the monthly General Meeting—a meeting open to all Coop members. All members who attend the meeting have one vote each in this face-to-face setting. Members are actively encouraged to come to General Meetings and participate. The Coop also holds parties, concerts, film showings, food classes, and other events. The complex role of member-as-worker-as-owner-as-shopper helps most of us develop an identity that includes truly caring about our Coop.