All are welcome to shop at the Blue Hill Co-op!  You don’t have to join as a cooperative owner (we call our members owners) to shop here.  However, more than 1,600 of our customers have joined the Blue Hill Co-op as owners over the years.  Why?  Consider the many reasons and benefits of becoming an owner.

Here is our Top Ten list:

1. Have a voice and a vote at the Annual Meeting
2. Receive our newsletter 4 times per year
3. Be informed by attending monthly board meetings
4. Receive a patronage dividend
5. Be able to place special orders through our suppliers
6. Get discounts at over 25 local businesses
7. Be a Working Owner and receive 10% off purchases daily
8. Support local, organic, and fair-trade farmers and businesses
9. Provide equity to help the Co-op grow in the coming years
10. Help maintain a community resource which is democratically-controlled, is socially-responsible, and exists to serve its owners.

Now slide along to the owners page and join up (if you haven’t already become a member).

Why Did We Join the Blue Hill Co-op?

Owner Profile

Hi, my name is Jennifer Candage, and I joined the Blue Hill Co-op for many reasons.  I would have to say the most important reason would be for food.  I happen to be a vegan, and often it can be hard to get many choices to pick from in your average grocery store.  The Co-op, however, has shown me a world of foods that have opened my eyes to exciting new flavors.  Being new to the cooking world can be hard, but the Co-op just always has every single ingredient I need on my list, despite the fact that the store is small.  One of the other reasons my husband and I became owners was the fact that the store supports being environmentally friendly, and I believe the climate crisis is one of our biggest worries today in America.  With more of us supporting locally-grown, organic produce, one at a time I believe we can change the world (and, no, I’m not being corny).

Another reason I became a Co-op owner is the people!  They are all down-to-earth and friendly.  If there’s one thing I like when I go into a store, it’s someone who is helpful and nice to you—and that has been the bulk of my experience at the Co-op.  When I joined the Blue Hill Co-op, it made me realize that I am becoming respected by the community as an active member, and that is a great feeling!  Also, if you haven’t eaten any of the food from the Café, you are missing out!  Again, being new to cooking (and not to mention my fast-paced lifestyle), I am almost always grabbing a little something from the Café.  For example, ladies, if you love chocolate, their vegan chocolate mousse is to die for!  No joke!  So, if you want to have a variety of food, good service, and be an active member to positive decision-making in the community and the world, join the Blue Hill Co-op.  Sorry if I sound like a commercial, but it’s true.

Jennifer Buffington Candage
(Blue Moose Restaurant Wait Staff)

Co-op Connection – a membership benefit

Have you taken advantage of the Co-op Connection?

The Co-op Connection is a program designed to support area businesses and to encourage Co-op owners to shop locally.  Participating businesses offer a discount to owners in exchange for free listings in our Co-op Connection brochure, newsletter, and local newspaper ad.

As a Co-op owner, you will receive discounts at the following types of local businesses:  Accommodations, Counseling & Therapy, Education & Instruction, Environment & Conservation, Fine Arts & Crafts, Food & Beverage, Health & Well-Being, Professional Services, and Retail Shops.

Find out more about this unique program by picking up a brochure at the Co-op!