By Brandon Smith
Willy Street Co-op
Willy Street Co-op–North is open. The amount of support and appreciation has been wonderful, and we thank everyone who has provided it and has shopped in the store. We’ve gotten some questions and I’d like to answer some of them here.
Q: Do I have to be a member to shop?
A: Anyone can shop at the Co-op and receive shelf prices as well as some of our sales, such as Co-op Deals and IDEALS. If you choose to become a Willy Street Co-op Owner, you will also receive Owner-only sale prices. We no longer have a 5 percent non-owner surcharge at any of our locations; we want our new store to be as welcoming as possible.
Q: How do I become a Co-op Owner?
A: You can sign up in the store or online. First, decide if you will be an Individual Owner ($58 for one person) or Household Owner ($93 for two people living in the same house or apartment). Then, decide if you will pay the entire price now or will make payments of $10 per year for seven years for an Individual Ownership or $15 per year for seven years for a Household Ownership. Complete the Fair Share Contract and submit your payment. If you qualify for financial assistance programs, you may also qualify for our Access Payment Plan, which is $4 per year for 14 years for an Individual Ownership and $7 per year for 14 years for a Household Ownership.
Q: What is the Access Discount Program?
A: Owners who have a financial need can apply for the Access Discount Program, which provides a 10 percent discount to buy food and other products at the Co-op.
Q: Can I donate an Ownership?
A: You can request a gift Ownership for someone you know, but we cannot take donations for anonymous customers. Visit the Customer Service Desk if you would like to purchase a gift Ownership for a specific person or group. You can help Northsiders access healthy food by sending donations for anonymous gift Ownerships to the Northside Planning Council, 1219 N. Sherman Ave., Madison, WI 53704. They are working with neighborhood centers to subsidize Ownerships for qualified residents. Contact the Northside Planning Council for more information at info@northsideplanningcouncil.org or 230-1221.
Q: Do you carry only organic products?
A: We have conventional, lower-price options for produce, milk and many other staple products. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please ask.
Q: Would you consider bringing in [insert product here]?
A: If there is something special you are looking for that we don’t currently have, we may be able to order it for you or add it to our shelves if it is available to us through our distributors. Fill out a product request form at our Owner Resources Area near the Customer
Service Desk, and drop it in the customer comment box.