About our store
What is a food co-op?
As a cooperative grocery store, we are not owned by one person or entity but are instead owned and governed by our member-elected council. We exist to serve and benefit our members by channeling our profits back to them, via patronage dividends, member discounts, member only events, and more. Our co-op is not a non-profit but a cooperative corporation.
When will the store open?
Opening co-op is an extensive process that generally takes 4-10 years. Our co-op has been working steadily towards opening since 2018. We are currently in the process of building a community of members and conducting our beginning the community building design process. Our opening date depends on many factors including membership growth, hiring a General Manager that has proper support, creating a design for our co-op with our members and community, completing building renovations, and planning time. You can help shorten our timeline by becoming a member, attending events, and getting involved. Check out the short video below by Food Co-op Initiative, which explains why the process of opening a co-op can take a long time.
Membership
What are the benefits of becoming a Coop member?
Once you become a member of Kingston Food Coop, you are a member for life. Your benefits will include:
Being part of a vibrant, community-focused market that prioritizes local, healthy, and affordable food.
A vote in the co-op’s board member elections and other important decisions, as well as the chance to run for a board seat yourself.
An opportunity to participate in our building’s community design process
A voice in what foods and products are sold at our co-op
As a cooperative corporation we will practice profit sharing when our co-op is financially successful. This could look like special member discounts, member appreciation days, patronage dividends and/or additional discounts on bulk orders. We are still exploring the best ways to put this into practice.
The opportunity to participate more deeply in our Kingston economy and support local food sources.
You can join our growing community of members right now, by clicking here. Every new member enriches our co-op community and brings us closer to opening.
How much does a membership cost?
A Kingston Food Co-op membership costs $0-150 per adult. This one-time investment grants you a membership for life — it will never expire and there are no annual fees! Each shopping adult in a household is expected to become a member, and you can purchase any number of memberships when you checkout. We have payment plans available for $10 or $25 per month (plus $1 each month for transaction fees).
Click here to join the co-op now. Thank you!
*Please note that co-op members may vote to adjust membership fees in the future.
Access and Equity
What is a solidarity membership?
Our solidarity memberships aim to remove any cost barriers to becoming a member of our co-op for anyone who wants to join, and also serves as a form of racial justice for people of color regardless of their income. Solidarity memberships are $0-$15. We created this tool to help folks decide what share amount is right for them.
Why do we offer free and low cost memberships to BIPOC/Latine community members?
We acknowledge the history of oppression and inequity that people of color face, and we commit to fighting systemic racism and oppression. By offering free solidarity memberships to people of color, we challenge systems of oppression that have marginalized groups within our food system. We recognize that people who identify as Black, Indigenous, Latine/Latinx, or a person of color have a wide range of incomes and other privileges - we offer free shares to build community.
Will the co-op accept SNAP benefits?
Yes! The co-op will accept SNAP benefits when the storefront opens.
shopping at our store
Will members be required to work at the co-op?
There is no work requirement for membership at this time, but there are plenty of volunteer opportunities. There are several reasons we weren’t able to pursue member work requirements for our co-op related to NYS Labor Laws, liability, administrative burden and equity.
Will I have to be a member to shop at the co-op?
No; our community-owned grocery store will be open to the public. However, only members will be eligible for special discounts and member appreciation events.
Do I have to live in Kingston to become a member of the co-op?
Nope! Any New York state resident is eligible to become a member — and once you’ve purchased your membership, you are a member for life!
What will I be able to buy at the co-op?
Once our storefront opens, we will stock our 6,000 square feet of retail space with a variety of fresh produce, bulk items, grocery staples, meat, dairy, frozen, deli, wellness items, etc., — the same types of things you can expect to find at other mid-size grocery stores. We'll be prioritizing healthful and local products, as well as brands and products that our community wants.
Getting involved
How do I find out about events happening at the co-op?
In person and virtual events, including Zoom link information, are listed on our website under events.
How do I get in touch with the Council?
Our council is here to represent our co-op and be accountable to our membership. You can stay up to date with what our council is working on by attending our monthly open council meetings on the third Tuesday of each month. You can also send an email to Council@kingstonfoodcoop.com with any questions, concerns, or ideas, and our council will be in touch with you. Learn about the Co-op’s council members and staff here.