Cooperatives cannot exist without the members that OWN their market. Joining Elm City Market means you become a member-owner, a shareholder.

Everyone is welcome to shop at Elm City Market and everyone is welcome to join and become a member-owner.

How to Join

To become a member you need to fill out an application and invest $200, which you can choose to pay all at once or in $20 payments. Sign up online or, when Elm City Market is open, at the customer service desk. You may also download a member-owner form here and submit it to the customer service desk in-store.

There are 3 payment options for co-op membership:

Option 1: Full Membership Investment

Pay the full $200 now and the $15 processing fee will be waived.

Option 2: Payment Plan

Become a member-owner by investing just $20 now (plus a one-time processing fee of $15). Then invest a minimum of $20 every 3 months until your full $200 commitment is reached. If you sign up online or at our membership kiosk, the credit/debit card you use will automatically be charged the $20 equity payment every 3 months. You can also make payments at the register while purchasing your groceries or on our website HERE. Member-owners enjoy all the benefits of ownership during this period as long as payments are made on time.

Option 3: Reduced Payment Plan

We offer assistance for limited income member-owners. If you qualify for one or more of the programs listed below, you are eligible to have part of your ownership paid by the Membership Fund. We ask that you invest a minimum of $20 upon becoming a member-owner, and then contribute what you can over the next two years. If, at the end of the two year payment term, you are unable to pay the remaining portion of the $200 investment, the remaining amount may be contributed by the Membership Fund, subject to the availability of funding. To qualify for this membership payment plan, you must show proof of current participation in a public assistance program, such as:

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Medicaid
• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)
• Family Health Plus/Child Health Plus
• Section 8 housing subsidy
• Advantage Program (Fixed Income, Worker or Children’s Advantage) issued by Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) or Human Resources Administration (HRA) or Department of Homeless Services (DHS)

If you’re interested in this membership, please contact us to confirm your eligibility.

Membership Details

A membership belongs to the person who signs the application form. Spouses, partners, children and other household members are welcome to use the member number when shopping. Only the signer may exercise the full rights of the membership. Everyone is welcome to become a member of Elm City Market. The Co-op shall keep a record of all membership investments. When a member leaves the Co-op, the investment may be refunded to the member upon written request, with the approval of the Board of Directors. Membership equity investments are subordinate to all other debts of the Co-op.

Elm City Market By-laws

CLICK HERE to review the by-laws of Elm City Food Cooperative, Inc.