Why I Chose to Become a Wheatsfield Member-Owner

Deb Russell, Wheatsfield Board of Directors

As a member of the Wheatsfield Board of Directors, I’m often asked why membership matters. After all, anyone can shop at the Co-op, so why become a Member-Owner?

For me, the answer is about more than discounts or sales. Membership is a way to invest in a business that reflects the kind of community I want to help build.

Wheatsfield began as a buying club in 1974, built on a simple idea: neighbors can do more together than alone. More than 50 years later, that idea still defines the Co-op. As a Member-Owner, I’m more than a customer, I help shape a community-owned grocery store that serves local people rather than outside shareholders.

Of course, membership also comes with practical benefits. Member-Owners receive appreciation discounts throughout the year, special pricing, savings on pre-ordered cases, wellness discounts, and reduced rates for classes and events. For many members, those perks help offset the one-time, fully refundable $100 equity investment.

The value of ownership reaches beyond any one member. Co-ops keep more money in the local economy, create more opportunities for locally produced food, and support business practices that are good for people and the planet. By supporting Wheatsfield, Member-Owners help strengthen a food system built on relationships with local farmers, providing local jobs, and promoting a healthier community.

What I appreciate most, though, is having a voice. Member-Owners elect the Board of Directors and help shape the future of the Co-op. In a cooperative, every Member-Owner has an equal vote. Whether you’ve been a member for decades or just joined this year, your voice matters.

As a board member, I have the privilege of seeing the care and commitment that go into keeping Wheatsfield financially strong, responsive to its members, and true to its mission. And speaking of being a board member, this year’s board election cycle is underway! Give it some thought and if you believe this is something you would like to do, check out the candidate packet and start filling out that application! The Nominations and Recruitment Committee will be accepting applications for new board members through August 10.

When you become a Member-Owner, you’re doing more than supporting a grocery store. You’re helping sustain a community institution and taking part in a business model that puts people before profits.

That’s why I’m a Member-Owner, and I hope you’ll consider becoming one too.