Posts with tag: "#info"
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
By National Co+op Grocers - grocery.coop

This November, get ready for gatherings with friends and family with big savings on all Field Day products at your co-op.

Save on more than 300 Field Day items — from maple syrup to wild-caught tuna to paper towels — from Nov. 5 through Dec. 2, 2025. Field Day is our value brand that offers high-quality, delicious food and household products at more affordable prices every day through Co+op Basics, making this savings event even more spectacular. Our lowest prices will be even lower!

Stock up on staples like rice, pasta, beans and olive oil. Save on tons of spices and herbs, as well as baking essentials including sugar, vanilla and chocolate chips. Find the foods you want for holiday meals, like gravy, pumpkin puree and stuffing mix.

Gathering with family and friends for a Thanksgiving meal is a familiar ritual for many people, and we strive to serve our entire community well during this busy time of year. In recognition that the story of the first Thanksgiving perpetuates an inaccurate and harmful version of history, food co-ops across the country are making a collective donation to North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS) this November.

Food co-ops will donate 5¢ for every Field Day product sold during this promotion.

NATIFS is a nonprofit organization founded by Lakota Chef Sean Sherman (known as the Sioux Chef), dedicated to revitalizing Indigenous food systems and promoting cultural preservation within Native American communities. Through initiatives like the Indigenous Food Lab, NATIFS offers training programs, educational workshops and support for Indigenous entrepreneurs to empower individuals and foster economic development.

By addressing economic disparities, food insecurity and the loss of Indigenous food knowledge, NATIFS aims to restore health, wealth and cultural identity to Indigenous populations. The organization's commitment to promoting Indigenous foodways education, facilitating food access and revitalizing ancestral knowledge underscores its mission to create positive social impact and support underserved communities.

To learn more about NATIFS, visit natifs.org. If you want to get involved, follow NATIFS on social media, sign up for the NATIFS newsletter or make your own donation. You can also lend a hand by sharing their mission and vision on social media with your friends and family.

Taking advantage of low prices on Field Day items not only saves you money, but it also supports the vital work that NATIFS is undertaking. If you are interested in doing more, consider learning about and supporting the initiatives of Indigenous people in your local community. Start by visiting https://native-land.ca/ to learn whose ancestral land you live on.  

To see all the Co+op Deals available, visit deals.coop

 

 
Saturday, November 01, 2025
By Matt Davis, Deep Roots Market General Manager

Updated Monday, November 03, 2025

As Greensboro’s local food co-op, we at Deep Roots Market have a deep concern for all members of our community. We have been closely monitoring the looming funding crisis for SNAP and other critical government assistance programs as a result of the ongoing government shutdown.

Update: In an unprecedented decision, the current administration and USDA announced today that they will provide only half of the normal SNAP benefits for November, and that recipients are not likely to see the payments immediately. This decision harms the most vulnerable members of our communities and throws into panic the nearly 42 million families and individuals who rely on these crucial programs to put food on their tables.

We continue to have numerous concerned customers asking what Deep Roots is doing in response to this, and what they can do to help. First and foremost, we want to direct folks to donate whatever they are able (food, time, funds) to local food pantries, as these vital organizations will be on the front lines assisting those facing the greatest needs. We regularly work with Food Not Bombs and Out of the Garden Project, and you can find additional organizations listed in the resources below.

We remain committed to our LIMe (Low Income Membership) Program, which has been helping to make healthy, nutritious, quality food and products more accessible to those in our community needing additional assistance, by offering an everyday discount at the Co-op since its launch in 2018. To qualify for our LIMe Program, an individual or family just needs to be eligible for EBT (which includes recipients of SNAP, TANF, SUN Bucks, and other assistance programs), WIC, SSDI/SSI, or the Guilford Community Care Network Orange Card. 

Update: As a result of the administration’s failure to adequately fund SNAP benefits, we are increasing our LIMe discount percentage to 25% effective immediately, until full SNAP funding resumes. We have also dropped the annual membership fee associated with joining LIMe, and those wishing to join or renew will only need to present their physical card or paperwork as qualification.

As a reminder, we rely solely on our shoppers who round up their total at the register and donations from members of our co-op community to help fund the LIMe Program. LIMe is already running at a deficit this year, but we still believe it’s important to double down on our Co-op Values of solidarity, social responsibility, and caring for others. We’re calling on our owners, guests, and members of our community who are able to share in this spirit of cooperation with us by increasing their round-up total when shopping or making a one-time or monthly donation to LIMe so we can continue to provide and grow this vital program.

For additional resources, to learn more about LIMe, or to make a secure online donation, see the links provided below. Together, we can uphold our cooperative values by centering compassion, equity, and community when and where it’s needed most.

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Monday, October 27, 2025
By Deep Roots Market Board of Directors

At Deep Roots Market, you — our Owners — are the foundation of everything we do. Your dedication, participation, and shared values have allowed us to serve the Greensboro community for 50 years with integrity, local ownership, and a strong cooperative spirit.

As many of you know, Deep Roots Market operates under a set Cooperative Principles which guide cooperatives around the world:

  • Voluntary & Open Ownership
  • Democratic Owner Control
  • Owner Economic Participation
  • Autonomy & Independence
  • Education, Training & Information
  • Cooperation Among Cooperatives
  • Concern for Community
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

These principles ensure that we remain locally controlled, locally invested, and deeply connected to the well-being of our community. Every Owner share represents not just equity in a store, but a personal investment in the health of our local economy, sustainable food systems, and community development.

 

Why an Increase is Needed

Since the late 1980s, the cost of an ownership share at Deep Roots Market has remained steady at $100. If that share price had simply followed inflation, it would now be approximately $270. While we have managed to keep ownership accessible for decades, the costs of operating a thriving, community-owned business, from infrastructure and capital improvements to vendor support and staff development, have continued to rise.

In a recent Owner survey, 86% of respondents expressed support for increasing the ownership share price to better reflect today’s economic reality while maintaining the financial health and sustainability of the Co-op. After careful consideration, and with input from you, our Owners, the Board of Directors has approved an increase:

Effective January 1, 2026, the cost of a Deep Roots Owner Share will increase from $100 to $160.

Important Notes:

  • This increase only applies to new Owner shares purchased on or after January 1, 2026.
  • Current Owners who have already purchased a share remain fully vested at the original $100 share price.
  • This decision allows us to maintain fiscal responsibility while continuing to provide the high-quality products, community programming, and cooperative values you expect from Deep Roots.

 

Staying True to Our Mission

This modest increase reflects our responsibility to maintain a viable business model while remaining accessible and inclusive. Unlike many businesses, Deep Roots Market is not owned by outside investors or distant corporations, we are owned entirely by our local community.

By strengthening our capital base through updated share pricing, we can continue to:

  • Support local farmers, producers, and artisans.
  • Maintain and improve our store facilities.
  • Offer education and outreach programs.
  • Preserve the unique cooperative model that makes Deep Roots special.
  • Sustain long-term stability for future generations of Owners.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for your continued trust, engagement, and ownership. Together, we will continue building a strong, resilient, and community-centered Deep Roots Market.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us or attend one of our upcoming Owner meetings.


Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is Deep Roots Market increasing the Owner Share price?

The cost of an ownership share has remained at $100 since the late 1980s. If the price had kept pace with inflation, it would be approximately $270 today. Increasing the share price to $160 helps ensure the Co-op has sufficient capital to maintain financial stability, make necessary store improvements, and continue supporting our local economy and community.

2. How was this decision made?

The Board of Directors carefully considered financial data, long-term sustainability, and feedback from our Owners. In a recent Owner survey, 86% of respondents supported the increase. After thorough review, the Board voted to approve the increase.

3. Who will this price increase affect?

Only new Owners joining the Co-op on or after January 1, 2026, will pay the new share price of $160. Current Owners who have already purchased a share at $100 remain fully vested and will not be asked to contribute additional funds.

4. Why not raise the price to match inflation?

The Board aims to balance financial responsibility with accessibility. While inflation suggests a much higher share price, $160 was selected as a moderate increase that supports financial stability while keeping ownership attainable for most community members.

5. What is the Owner Share used for?

Owner Shares provide essential capital for store operations, facility maintenance, upgrades, and special projects that support the Co-op's long-term sustainability. Owner capital is a cornerstone of our cooperative model and helps ensure our independence and community control.

6. Is this a one-time payment or an annual fee?

The Owner Share is a one-time equity investment. There are no annual fees to maintain ownership.

7. Will there be more increases in the future?

Any future increases would be carefully evaluated by the Board of Directors based on financial needs, business conditions, and Owner input.

8. Where can I get more information or ask questions?

Owners are always welcome to reach out to the Board of Directors or management with questions. You may also attend upcoming Owner meetings for open discussion.

 
Wednesday, October 01, 2025
By National Co+op Grocers - grocery.coop

October is Co-op Month and co-ops are getting major international attention from the UN this year: They declared 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives! In today’s world where corporate decisions are governed by profits and individualism is the norm, cooperation is truly radical. Now is the time to lift up the people-centered businesses at the heart of our communities and economies.

Under the theme “The Future is Cooperative,” this year’s Co-op Month is an opportunity to envision a cooperative future. The United Nations International Year of Cooperatives 2025 (IYC 2025) was launched at the ICA Global Cooperative Conference and General Assembly held in New Delhi in June 2024. The conference attracted around 3,000 delegates from over 100 countries who discussed how cooperatives build prosperity for all.

IYC 2025 highlights cooperatives’ contributions to sustainable development across social, economic and environmental dimensions and emphasizes the unique ability of cooperatives to foster inclusive growth and strengthen community resilience. According to the United Nations General Assembly, the resolution “notably focuses on the capacity for cooperatives to drive inclusive development, particularly in developing countries. It recognizes the role of cooperatives in promoting the economic status and capacity building of women and the wellbeing of vulnerable and marginalized people.”

Co-ops continue to be organized by communities across the U.S. and the world, anywhere people are interested in exercising more control over the kind of products and services they’re able to buy.

Here are several facts that highlight co-ops’ impacts on communities and our world:

  • There are more than 30,000 cooperative businesses in the U.S.
  • The food co-op communities across the country that own National Co+op Grocers (NCG) work together collectively to strengthen our ability to positively impact our food system and grow the cooperative economy in an inclusive and environmentally regenerative manner.
  • Thirty seven percent of food co-ops’ sales come from organic products (compared to 3% at conventional grocers), and 24% of sales at co-ops are from local products (as opposed to 2% at conventional grocers).
  • Annually, $9 million was collectively donated to local community organizations by NCG co-ops.
  • Co-ops work within our supply chain and industry and with the federal government to advocate for product labeling, disclosure of potentially harmful ingredients or contaminants, and protections for workers within our supply chain.

Want to know more about how to support cooperatives? Here are a few ideas:

 
Friday, August 01, 2025
By Deep Roots Market

As a local, community-owned grocery co-operative, we're committed to promoting food equality and accessibility in our community. We believe that everyone should have access to an inclusive and welcoming store, where they can shop for healthy, nutritious, quality food and products, regardless of their income.

That's why in 2018 we became an industry pioneer by launching our Low-Income Membership Program (LIMe for short) for members of our community needing additional assistance.

To help make shopping at the Co-op more accessible, LIMe Members receive a 15% discount on their purchases every day. To date, we have more than 250 individuals and families benefiting from our LIMe Program!

In addition to providing access to healthy, nutritious food and products, we are also committed to breaking down the income barrier to full ownership and participation in the community co-op.

That's why we're excited to announce some big changes to our LIMe Program with the introduction of LIMe+, a LIMe membership with the added benefits of full co-op ownership.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Fund for Democratic Communities, we're able to offer a fully paid equity share to any LIMe Member who opts to accept the benefit. That's a $100 value that extends all the lifetime benefits of a full-share equity ownership to all LIMe Members, current or future.

Current/active LIMe Members just need to click the button below to complete the online opt-in form and accept the fully-funded ownership share. That's it, we'll handle the rest from there! You'll need to continue to qualify and pay your $15 annual membership fee to continue to receive the LIMe discount, but you will remain a co-op owner for life, regardless of LIMe membership.

If you are not currently a LIMe member, or your LIMe membership has expired, you will need to come into the store to complete an application, provide proof of program qualification (active EBT card), and pay your $15 annual fee.

...or, if you're not a current/active LIMe Member...

Tags: #info, #update