WHY JOIN?
All are welcome to shop at the Blue Hill Co-op! You don’t have to join as a cooperative owner (we call our members owners) to shop here. However, more than 1,600 of our customers have joined the Blue Hill Co-op as owners over the years. Why? Consider the many reasons and benefits of becoming an owner.
Here is our Top Ten list:
- Have a voice and a vote at the Annual Meeting
- Receive our newsletter 6 times per year
- Be informed by attending monthly board meetings
- Receive a patronage dividend
- Help elect representative Board members
- Get discounts at over 25 local businesses
- Meet lots of great people who are also owners
- Support local, organic, and fair-trade farmers and businesses
- Provide equity to help the Co-op grow in the coming years
- Help maintain a community resource which is democratically-controlled, is socially-responsible, and exists to serve its owners.
Now slide along to the owners page and join up (if you haven't already become a member).
Why Did We Join the Blue Hill Co-op?
Owner Profile
Hi, my name is Jennifer Candage, and I joined the Blue Hill Co-op for many reasons. I would have to say the most important reason would be for food. I happen to be a vegan, and often it can be hard to get many choices to pick from in your average grocery store. The Co-op, however, has shown me a world of foods that have opened my eyes to exciting new flavors. Being new to the cooking world can be hard, but the Co-op just always has every single ingredient I need on my list, despite the fact that the store is small. One of the other reasons my husband and I became owners was the fact that the store supports being environmentally friendly, and I believe the climate crisis is one of our biggest worries today in America. With more of us supporting locally-grown, organic produce, one at a time I believe we can change the world (and, no, I’m not being corny).
Another reason I became a Co-op owner is the people! They are all down-to-earth and friendly. If there’s one thing I like when I go into a store, it’s someone who is helpful and nice to you—and that has been the bulk of my experience at the Co-op. When I joined the Blue Hill Co-op, it made me realize that I am becoming respected by the community as an active member, and that is a great feeling! Also, if you haven’t eaten any of the food from the Café, you are missing out! Again, being new to cooking (and not to mention my fast-paced lifestyle), I am almost always grabbing a little something from the Café. For example, ladies, if you love chocolate, their vegan chocolate mousse is to die for! No joke! So, if you want to have a variety of food, good service, and be an active member to positive decision-making in the community and the world, join the Blue Hill Co-op. Sorry if I sound like a commercial, but it’s true.
Jennifer Buffington Candage
(Blue Moose Restaurant Wait Staff)
Co-op Connection - a membership benefit
Have you taken advantage of the Co-op Connection?
The Co-op Connection is a program designed to support area businesses and to encourage Co-op owners to shop locally. Participating businesses offer a discount to owners in exchange for free listings in our Co-op Connection brochure, newsletter, and local newspaper ad.
As a Co-op owner, you will receive discounts at the following types of local businesses: Accommodations, Counseling & Therapy, Education & Instruction, Environment & Conservation, Fine Arts & Crafts, Food & Beverage, Health & Well-Being, Professional Services, and Retail Shops.
