FAQ

GENERAL CO-OP INFO

What is a food co-op? Co-op is short for cooperative. A food co-op is a grocery store that is owned and operated by the people in the community who shop there. These owners are members of the co-op and work together to elect the board of directors and establish policies about what products will be sold and how the store will operate. How does the co-op help our community? The co-op helps connect local buyers and sellers. This keeps jobs and money in the local economy. Give me some other examples of co-ops. Some other well known co-ops include REI, Columbia Credit Union, and IQ Credit Union. Some other food co-ops are The Alberta Street Co-op, Peoples’ Co-op and Food Front Co-op located in Portland. Back to top

VFC GENERAL INFO

What is VFC’s website? VFC’s website is:  http://www.vancouverfood.coop/ What is VFC’s Vision Statement? To provide our community access to healthy foods and products, with emphasis on local suppliers. How is the co-op different from Fred Meyer or Safeway? Conventional supermarkets are operated for profit to benefit investors and corporate interests; the co-op is a not-for-profit entity, run for the benefit of member-owners and people in the community like you. Can anyone shop at the co-op? The co-op is open to everyone. Members receive special benefits but everyone can shop in the store and order on-line.  What are VFC’s Guiding Priniples? VFC’s guiding principles are similar, if not identical to many co-ops: Democratic Member Control Economic and Social Justice Sustainability

Honesty and Integrity

Healthy Lifestyles

Respect for Diversity Education Collaboration and Cooperation When are the VFC meetings? There is a VFC general membership meeting once a year, usually in May. There is a Board meeting once per month. All member-owners are able to attend the Board meetings. Who are the VFC Board of Directors? The VFC Board of Directors are members of the co-op who would like to take a leadership role within the Co-op. How is the Board of Directors chosen? The Board of Directors is elected by a vote of all eligible members once each year. How are the VFC Board Officers chosen? Once elected, the Board decides amongst itself who will serve in the capacity of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. What are some other positions and roles with VFC? If you have joined the co-op and purchased a share, you are a member-owner. Currently, all positions and duties with the co-op (with the exception of the Store Manager) are filed by volunteers. In addition to the Board of Directors, there are several committees. There are committees for the functions of membership, store operations, outreach and newsletter. There are also other volunteer opportunities, such as working in the store, staffing a table at an outreach event, working on the website, contributing to VFC’s Facebook page, and more. What is VFC’s history? VFC was incorporated in 2006, and began selling shares in 2007, with the first general membership meeting in February 2008. How can I find out about VFC events and other happenings? Our events calendar can be viewed online at: http://www.vancouverfood.coop/vfc-calendar/ Back to top

VFC MEMBERSHIP

Who can join the co-op? Anyone can join. By choosing to join the co-op member owners are expressing their support for local food and the democratic control of our food supply. How can I become a member? You may become a member of VFC by filling out the Ownership Agreement in the VFC brochure and signing it. A minimum payment of $60 is required. You may also pay the full member share of $180. You may also fill out the ownership agreement online, however you must visit the store or mail your application to provide your signature. Just visit: http://www.vancouverfood.coop/pages/Become-an-Owner.html There are several payment options. (See next question) How much does it cost to become a member? The full price of a member share is $180.This amount may be paid with cash, check or credit card. You are then a member for life. The share price may also be broken into two or three payments, spread over three years. The first payment of $60.00 is required to become a member. How many shares can a member purchase and own? An individual may purchase up to twenty shares, but receives only one vote. This ensures a truly democratic ownership structure where each member has an equal say. Can a membership or a share be jointly owned? A VFC Membership and/or Shares are individually owned and may not be jointly held. What are the benefits to being a member? A member has a say in the important issues of the co-op. You vote in the elections for Board members held during the annual meeting. The current member benefit is 10% off on all purchases made at the co-op. There are occasionally member-only offers and deals. In the future, members will receive priority sign-up or reduced fees for classes sponsored by VFC. When VFC achieves income greater then needed for operations, member-owners are paid a dividend.  Back to top

VFC STORE

Where is the VFC store located? The VFC store is located at 1002 Main Street in Vancouver, Washington 98660. What is VFC’s mailing address? The mailing address for VFC is: Vancouver Food Co-op   P.O. Box 546 Vancouver, WA 98666-0546 What is VFC’s telephone number? The store’s telephone number is (360) 694-8094 How can I help make the co-op a success? The co-op’s success depends on serving people in the community – connecting people who want to buy real food, produce, dairy, meats and groceries with those who produce foods in South West Washington and the region. By shopping at the co-op store and encouraging your friends and neighbors to do the same, the co-op will become a success.   I live in Oregon, can I still order through VFC and buy my groceries at the store? Yes, of course. We hope to see you soon! Remember, there is no sales tax on groceries in Washington. I hear Vancouver Food Cooperative has made a special effort to locate the store in downtown Vancouver.  Why? Many downtown Vancouver neighborhoods are defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as 'food deserts,' a designation indicating a lack of grocery stores or transportation alternatives to grocery stores.  The co-op meets the need for a public grocery store for downtown Vancouver neighborhoods and surrounding areas, as well as serving co-op member-owners who live in these neighborhoods. Why is the co-op store so small? Stocking lots of products costs lots of money so the co-op store stocks products members and other shoppers ask for and buy.  As the number of shoppers increases the store will stock more and more products. What do you mean by local products? When possible the co-op chooses products that are grown or processed locally and when possible distributed through companies located in Clark County, Southwest Washington or the local metropolitan area. By working with local producers we are helping to keep more money in the local economy.  Does the co-op accept EBT? Currently, VFC does not accept EBT; however, we are in the process of changing that, and will be able to accept EBT in the future. Keep checking back or sign up here to be notified when EBT payment is available. What should I bring when I come to pick up my order? Bring a method of payment - that could be cash, check or credit card. Also bring your own bags for your groceries. Or you may purchase a VFC reusable shopping bag from us. Back to top

VFC ONLINE STORE

   What is an on-line store? The VFC on-line store is a way for customers to have access to thousands of grocery and household items without the high cost of managing inventory in a traditional store. Using the convenience of the World Wide Web the co-op can offer products and buy them to fulfill the orders of individuals. How does the online store work? The online store is reached through the VFC website. First go to http://www.vancouverfood.coop/  Then click on Shop Online Products in the online store can be selected and put in a shopping cart. Once you have done all your shopping, proceed to checkout. You may need to set up an account for order tracking purposes. You PAY and PICK UP your order at the VFC store. There are typically two order cycles per month. The website will tell you when the order deadline is. Your order will be ready for you to pick up usually one week after the order deadline. Back to top

VFC FOOD

  What do you mean by local products? When possible the co-op chooses products that are grown or processed locally and when possible distributed through companies located in Clark County, Southwest Washington or the local metropolitan area. By working with local producers we are helping to keep more money in the local economy. Do you sell meat and dairy products? The co-op offers milk, cheese and other dairy products from North West farms. There is also meat from regional producers. Is all the produce at the co-op organic? When possible we choose products that are grown locally and organically. We also know that sometimes organic produce is not available and we choose the best quality, What products does the co-op sell? The co-op store sells the items people use every day – produce, dairy, eggs, and other groceries.  Products available are not all organic, vegetarian or vegan; we hope to be sensitive to individual needs and choices while serving everyone in the community. Is there fresh produce? Yes! The co-op has fruits and vegetables from Clark County and the northwest, although we live in a bountiful region. The selection is small but always growing. Make sure you let us know if there is something you would like to see in the store. I’m a vegan - will I find food I can eat? Many of the items available in the store and from the on-line catalog are vegan. If there are specific products you want, make a request and we’ll do our best to make them available. My kids like potato chips and cookies - does the co-op sell snack foods? The co-op stocks the products consumers want and buy. We’ll do our best to choose wholesome, honest food that’s locally produced but we listen to all shoppers about what they want. And yes, we have some very tasty snack foods! Back to top

VFC VOLUNTEERS

  How can I help? What are the volunteer opportunities? The co-op relies on volunteers to operate. Committee positions, store operations and the co-op board are volunteers who believe in the co-op’s mission. What are some duties if I volunteer at the store? As a store volunteer you may will called upon to greet customers and answer questions about the co-op, face and stock shelves, ring up sales, answer the telephone, sweep the floor, price items, as well as other duties. How long is a typical volunteer shift at the store? A typical store volunteer shift is 3 to 4 hours. What does an outreach volunteer do? An outreach volunteer represents VFC at a community event such as the Home & Garden Idea Fair. He or she will answer questions about VFC, provide brochures and help visitors sign up to join the mailing list or become a member. Back to top

MISC AND OTHER QUESTIONS

   What’s a food desert? The US Department of Agriculture defines a food desert as an area, rural or urban that doesn’t provide consumers access to real, healthful food. Neighborhoods like downtown Vancouver that lack grocery stores or transportation alternatives to provide residents access to real food.