Since the beginning, GreenStar's mission focused on making nutritious, whole food available to its members. But membership means more than just access to good, healthy food...

When you join the Co-op you become a Member-Owner of a locally-owned and cooperatively operated values-based business. We focus on the social and environmental impact GreenStar makes on our local and global community, as well as economic performance. We put our values first, and return all profits back to the Co-op or donate them to the community.

The co-operative business model has proven to be a strong alternative to traditional profit-driven businesses. And, for every dollar you spend in a locally-owned business or cooperative, 45 cents is return to the community, compared to only 13 cents when you spend a dollar at a chain store.

One Member – One Vote means your voice truly counts!

Like all consumer co-ops, GreenStar is owned and democratically run by the people who use the store. Unlike traditional corporations where the amount of a stockholder's investment determines his or her voting power, every member at GreenStar has equal voting rights. As a Member-Owner, you have an equal say in the future direction of GreenStar.

By investing and participating in your co-op, you're putting your values into action.

Through your Equity Share investment and patronage, GreenStar supports the health and well-being of our member-owners, our community and the planet by:

Purchasing from local farmers and businesses
Paying a livable wage
Using clean energy and recycled office supplies
Supporting organic agriculture and fair trade producers
Offering health insurance to employees
Donating to local charities and events
Providing education on nutrition, health and sustainability
Improving access to healthy food to those on limited budgets through the FLOWER program

1,150 Letters Sent to Governor Cuomo Demanding a Permanent Ban on Hydrofracking

Last Updated on Saturday, 04 February 2012 03:01

By Alexis Alexander,  
Membership Manager

486px-andrew cuomo_by_pat_arnow_cropped I can't thank our member-owners, customers and cashiers enough! When we first decided to do a One-Minute Activist letter asking Governor Cuomo to issue a permanent statewide ban on hydrofracking, we set our goal at 500 letters. To tell you the truth, I secretly asked myself, "I wonder if we could actually collect 1,000 letters?" I shouldn't have even questioned it! The passion of our membership and customer base where health and environmental matters are concerned was well evident. At final count, we sent Governor Cuomo a box, six inches deep, containing 1,170 signed letters!

Does Our Current Equity Payment Serve the Co-op?

By Alexis Alexander,
Membership Manager

equity cash_sm Does our current equity share payment of $90 per member serve the Co-op? Council has been discussing this question for some time now. It relates specifically to our expansion goals and the realization that we are no longer able to sufficiently meet our member-owners' needs and desires in our current West-End location. (Ask anyone who has tried to park on a busy "10 on the 10th" sales day!)

At some point this year, a proposal will likely be put to membership to vote for an equity increase and, possibly, a change in the payment schedule. According to our bylaws, the member-owner equity share amount can only be changed by a membership vote. Therefore, each member-owner will have a say in this very important decision.

Every business needs capital to survive and a cooperative is no different. Member-owner equity is a monetary investment by each member-owner that helps provide the Co-op with adequate capital to support the business. Equity is not used for the day-to-day running of the operation — it does not pay for employee's salaries and benefits, or the products we sell in the store, or our office supplies. Those expenses are covered by product sales.

What is Membership?

One Member – One Vote means your voice truly counts!

By investing and participating in your co-op, you're putting your values into action.

1,150 Letters Sent to Governor Cuomo Demanding a Permanent Ban on Hydrofracking

Does Our Current Equity Payment Serve the Co-op?

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