Co-op Ownership

Becoming a Co-op Owner is a great way to take action to support your local community and food systems. Plus, you get some pretty great savings and perks!

Become an Owner

Ready to own a grocery store with a bunch of your friends and neighbors? New Owners will get a welcome packet, bonus coupons, and a free tote! An Owner share costs $70 and is fully refundable. Payment plans are available.

Become an Owner

Ready to own a grocery store with a bunch of your friends and neighbors? New Owners will get a welcome packet, bonus coupons, and a free tote! An Owner share costs $70 and is fully refundable. Payment plans are available.

Benefits of Ownership at First Alternative

Grocery Bag with Milk

SAVE

Get 10% off your purchases one day per month (excluding sale items) and get access to exclusive monthly Owner Bonus Coupons & savings opportunities if you sign up for our email list.

Dollars and Cents

EARN

Owners may receive a patronage dividend in years the Co-op is profitable. The more you spend, the more you earn!

Oregon with Co-op Logo

SUPPORT

Invest in a locally-owned business that supports local farmers and producers, fair trade practices, sustainability, and community.

Ballot saying "Your Voice, Vote"

VOTE

Each Owner has an equal voice. Vote for or serve on our Board of Directors and vote for annual donation recipients.

Hands in a handshake

CONNECT

Enjoy access to Co-op Community events for Owners and build a sense of community.

Hear From Our Owners!

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Frequently Asked Questions

A food Co-op is a grocery store that follows a special set of guiding principles and values that you may not see at a traditional grocery store. Co-ops are democratically-controlled businesses owned by their shoppers. Rather than being focused on profits, they exist to serve their owners and the community. First Alternative has more than 13,000 Owners who help elect our Board of Directors and help shape the future of the Co-op.

Food cooperatives also have a specific focus on providing their communities with high-quality, local, socially-responsible, organic and sustainably produced food. We follow a set of Product Selection Guidelines to ensure all the products in our store meet our standards. Our connection with our local farmers and businesses is something that we prioritize and value deeply as a way to help strengthen our local food system.

Check out this informative video “What is a Co-op?”

No! While there are some great perks to being an Owner, you do not have to be one to shop at the Co-op. Everyone is welcome!

SAVE: Get 10% off your purchases one day per month (excluding sale items) and get access to exclusive monthly Owner Bonus Coupons & savings opportunities if you are signed up for email communications.

EARN: Owners may receive a patronage dividend in years the Co-op is profitable. The more you spend, the more you earn!

SUPPORT: Invest in a locally-owned business that supports local farmers and producers, fair trade practices, sustainability, and community.

VOTE: Each Owner has an equal voice. Vote for or serve on our Board of Directors and vote for annual donation recipients.

CONNECT:  Enjoy access to Co-op Community events for Owners and build a sense of community.

An Owner share costs $70. It is fully refundable, there’s no annual fee, and payment plans are available. New and existing Owners may also choose to add additional equity at any time up to $300 total.

If you purchase an Owner share, you can add household members onto your Owner share account. This will allow them to make purchases under your Owner account and access your Owner Sale Day. However, only the individual whose name is on the Owner share may vote in elections.If multiple people in a household want to become Owners, they are welcome to do so. Each Owner share account will get its own Owner Sale Day and vote.

You can sign up online or visit Customer Service at either Co-op location.

Owner shares are fully refundable at any time according to our by-laws. If you move away or decide you don’t want to be an Owner anymore, please contact us directly and we can help you through that process.