“Would you like to round up for Food For All?” If you’ve been shopping with us for some time, chances are you’ve heard this question at checkout. The roundup is the Co-op’s largest ongoing, in-house mutual aid project. Here’s how it got started:
EVERYONE WELCOME
We are a community-owned grocery store, which means anyone from the community can purchase a share of the Co-op. All sorts of folks make up our owners, including individuals receiving SNAP/EBT and other government aid. We created Food For All ownership so everyone can enjoy great food. Folks receiving SNAP/EBT can become Co-op owners at a discounted, upfront fee of $15. About 10% of all our consumer owners are Food For All owners.
MAKING HIGH-QUALITY, NOURISHING FOOD AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE
Food For All owners receive a 20% discount on every shopping trip at the Co-op. Half of this discount is funded by the Co-op. “Making high-quality, nourishing food affordable and accessible” is one of our Ends. In other words, we exist to feed people well, and we adjust our budget to fit that priority. When we launched the program, the Co-op was able to commit to offering a 10% discount. Unfortunately, 10% isn’t always enough to bridge the financial gaps in today’s food economy.
HERE’S WHERE YOU COME IN
So, we started the roundup program! We ask every customer if they’d like to round up their purchase to the next dollar. That spare change, pooled together, enables us to offer a 20% discount to all Food For All owners every time they shop. Now half of the program is funded directly by Co-op shoppers. Together, we make fresh produce and essential groceries more accessible to the Durham community.
THE NITTY-GRITTY DETAILS
To keep the Food For All program sustainable, we need about $1000 roundup dollars per week to cover the discount. That means, if every customer donates 25¢ once a week, we have enough to fund the program. Help us feed our community and keep the Food For All program strong by rounding up your purchase during checkout!
PS. You can also donate any amount to the roundup. Just tell your cashier how much you’d like to donate, and they’ll add it to your purchase.
THANK YOU
We love the round-up model because it means all of our shoppers have an opportunity to take part in offering resources in support of others within the community. It means so much to us every time you round up! We are proud of this community, our Co-op owners, shoppers, friends, and neighbors, and grateful to work alongside you every day to build a better food system. Thank you for being a part of the Co-op.
BECOME A FOOD FOR ALL OWNER
If you qualify for SNAP/EBT benefits and would like to become a Food For All owner, ask a cashier for information, or you can learn more HERE!