The Deep Roots Mission Statement:

In accordance with cooperative values and
principles, we operate to serve the surrounding
community, moving toward a healthy, equitable
and sustainable future.

Why Become an Owner?
Everyone is welcome to shop at the co-op, and anyone can join as a member. Deep Roots Market seeks an ownership comprised of individuals who place the long-term viability of the co-op ahead of maximizing individual benefits. Ownership provides the capital, patronage, accountability, control and goodwill that allows our co-op to survive and thrive. When people invest in the co-op, they tend to care more about -- and are more motivated to work towards improving -- its overall effectiveness in serving the community.

The Deep Roots Difference
As a cooperative, Deep Roots seeks to exemplify a more equitable and democratic model for making business decisions and working together to meet the common needs of its users and workers. We put people first, rejecting the notion that all business must be run based on sheer financial gain, and we proudly and whole-heartedly endorse the seven internationally recognized cooperative principles handed down by the original Rochdale cooperative pioneers and adopted by the International Cooperative Alliance:

1. Voluntary and open membership
2. Democratic member control
3. Member economic participation
4. Autonomy and independence
5. Education, training and information
6. Cooperation among cooperatives
7. Concern for community

In the belief that Deep Roots' collective -- and individual -- actions and decisions directly affect Earth and all its present as well as future inhabitants, we are committed to embodying a holistic, socially conscious world view. Accepting that we as a group possess the power to effect tangible positive social, economic and environmental change through our personal choices, we therefore advocate an actively responsible consumerism, with dietary and lifestyle choices that foster a healthier, less wasteful and more ecologically aware presence in our city, state, nation and world.

How to Join
To become an owner, you fill out an application and purchase a Household ownership for a one-time fee of $100.00. Household ownership stock purchases are good for the owner's lifetime -- you pay only once, not annually. We also have payment options for those who wish to pay in installments.

We also have a Student membership option. This allows area students to join for a yearly non-refundable fee of $25.00 -- this can often be more beneficial and cost-effective in the short term for transitory individuals, compared to the cost of the ownership plan. Student members enjoy the benefits of owners, but do not have the right to serve on the Board of Directors, or vote on ownership issues.

Our Welcome to the Co-op: An Introduction to Deep Roots brochure is a handy guide to the basics of our co-op, the cooperative governance structure, worker-owner volunteering and more. If you are interested in joining Deep Roots and becoming an owner, simply print out a copy of our Ownership Application (or stop by the store to pick up one in person), fill it out, then mail it in or give it to any cashier at the store registers. We'll take it from there!

Owner Benefits
Become an owner of Deep Roots Market and you will receive:

• One share of DRM voting stock
• An Ownership Welcome Kit and free DRM logo canvas tote bag
• The right to vote in the yearly Ownership Meeting election and/or run for open seats on the DRM Board of Directors
• A once-a-month discount of 5% on all your purchases, any day you choose during the month
• Opportunities for greater discounts through our Top Shopper 25 program
• Special monthly sales on selected items
• Free monthly delivery of our newsletter, Talking Leaves
• Free ad space for owner-owned businesses in our newsletter
• The option to participate in the Worker-Owner Volunteer program
• The option to participate in the Community Discount Partners program
• Eligibility to enter owner-only raffles, giveaways and other special promotions

Becoming a Worker-Owner
Any owner interested in becoming more involved with the co-op may join our Worker-Owner Volunteer (WOV) program. This gives all owners the opportunity to work in the store, performing tasks such as bagging bulk goods, folding newsletters, or assisting with member outreach by manning booths with other staff members at area events. As a worker-owner, you will receive a co-op orientation and individualized training, after which a monthly schedule will be created that fits your lifestyle and desired number of work-hours per month. Volunteering in this program enables your discount to be increased by up to 15% every time you shop with us -- a significant financial benefit!

This agreement does require the commitment of a minimum of 4 hours a month, and we request your sincere dedication to the program should you choose to participate. Please contact our Ownership Services Director for more information.