this week, Pocket Your Dollars will provide you with shopping lists based on the Co+Op Deals sales flyer, which is updated every two weeks. As a resource for helping you understand how to maximize savings using Co+Op Deals, we’ve compiled answers to these frequently asked questions.
What is Co+Op Deals?
The National Cooperative Grocers Association has formed a new program called Co+Op Deals (formerly Co-op Advantage), which offers bi-weekly Co+op Deals sales flyers and four coupon books per year, both of which can be found in the stores. Due to each cooperative being locally-owned and catering to their own community, some variance may be found in store policies, pricing, and sale dates, so be sure to check your local cooperative for details.
Which Co-Ops Participate?
The National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA) has 114 member cooperatives, with 145 storefronts in 32 states. Find a participating co-op in your area. It was formed to help small cooperative natural food retailers collaborate to strengthen buying power, essentially allowing them to compete with big-name stores. This collaboration allows the stores to pass lower prices on to consumers, when compared to stand-alone type of natural food stores.
Can I Use Coupons at the Co-Op?
Yes. You can use manufacturer coupons at these stores. The Co+op Deals savings booklet coupons are considered manufacturer coupons, so you cannot use an additional manufacturer’s coupon on those same products. However, sometimes they release store-issued coupons, like $5 off a $50 order, which you can use alongside manufacturer’s coupons in the same purchase. When we find any of those, we’ll let you know.
As always, ask your local co-op about their specific coupon policy.
How Can I Find the Best Deals?
Shopping lists that match the Co+Op Deals sales with available coupons are shared on Pocket Your Dollars and filed in Shopping Lists/Other Stores section or they’ll be indexed as Co+Op Deals. Pocket Your Dollars’ shopping list will be based off of the Midwest stores’ flyers, which is similar to the nation-wide deals. Additionally, each cooperative may have their own specials in addition to the Co+op Deals promotions. Again, check with your local store to find their specific deals and sale cycles.
Do I Need to Be a Co-Op Member to Shop?
No. Anyone can shop at any of these natural food stores. However, incentive is given to become a member of individual stores. In Minnesota, for example, one-time membership fees range from $80 to $200 and membership comes with perks. Co-op membership benefits may include member newsletters, monthly specials for members, once-per-month 5% discounts on an order, discounted special order cases, voting privileges, and member-owner dividends when applicable. Check individual stores’ websites found on Co+op Deals Store Map link to see their exact membership rates and “perks”.
Other Helpful Links
Co+op Deals sales flyer (Midwest version)
Co+op Deals participating stores
Pocket Your Dollars’ Co+Op Deals shopping lists
Your turn: What other questions do you have about the Co+Op Deals network?
About Carrie Rocha
Some co-ops give a discount if you are a member of another co-op. I was thinking of joining one near me and I found that I would probably save more money if I joined The Wedge and then used the benefits at the co-op closer to me, instead of joining the one by me and not getting a discount at The Wedge, which I go to about once a month.