faq
What is a Co-Op?
First set in 1844 by the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers, these principles form the core philosophy of co-operatives around the world:
- Open, voluntary membership
- Democratic governance
- Limited return on equity
- Surplus that belongs to the membership
- Education of members and the public in co-operative principles
- Collaborative support among co-operatives
- Concern for our community
CSAs, Food Co-Ops, and Food Buying Clubs: What’s the difference?
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): An organization that supports farmers, especially those using organic or bio-dynamic methods. CSA members each buy a “share,” which supports the whole budget of a single farming operation. Members have a “shared risk and reward” agreement with the faming operations, and are limited to what is seasonablly available and ripe.
Food Co-Operative: A grocery store that is owned and run by its member-owners, usually offering natural, organic and local foods and other products. Food Co-Ops tend to focus on social responsibility and community building more than for-profit grocery stores.
Food Buying Club: A group of people organized to purchase natural and organic foods and products that may not be available, or are too expensive, in a given area.
Who is “in charge” of the Jersey City Food Co-Op?
There is no one person or entity that is “in charge” of the Jersey City Food Co-op. All owners are required to make a financial investment in the JCFC and share in the responsibility of the launch and sustainability of the Co-Op. This isn’t a recurring subscription or fee, but a piece of ownership in the Co-Op itself. Ownership comes with a vote in the Co-Op’s future decisions and access to natural and local products. Additionally owners are required to contribute “sweat equity”, or labor, towards the operations. The JCFC is a collective and collaborative effort. Governance of the JCFC is distributed and led by the owner-comprised committees and the on-going stewardship of the Board of Trustees.
Where is the Co-Op?
A Location/Facilities committee is charged wtih researching and investigating where the Co-Op will best serve the residents of Jersey City and possibly Hudson County. The committee will be open to input from owners as well as ideas about appropriate affordable, available space. In the meantime, the Jersey City Food Co-Op has already been selling organic, local and sustainable product sans our four walls, since October 2010, through the Pre-Shop. Check out our section about the Pre-Shop and find out how you can start shopping.
Lots more info coming soon. Have a question now? Email us.
