Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What's the difference between a food co-op and a supermarket?

Answer: At first glance, they may look the same, but co-ops (or cooperatives) are businesses owned and controlled by their owners. In the case of consumer co-ops like Willy Street Co-op, that means customers who join can become owners and have a voice in how the organization is run. Owners also receive special benefits that other customers do not. The goal of our Board and staff is to operate the store efficiently in order to generate a profit, which in turn is reinvested into the business.

Q: Do I need to be a owner to shop?

Answer: One of our favorite phrases goes something like this: Anyone can shop! Anyone can join! So the answer is no, you don't have to be a owner to shop. Being a owner does have advantages however. The most apparent advantage is that owners pay the shelf price for their groceries, while non-owners pay 5% more.

Q: Why do I have to pay you so I can shop at Willy Street Co-op?

Answer: A co-op can only exist if its owners participate economically in its operation. In other words, owners invest in a co-op so it can operate to serve their needs. Our ownership program allows you to contribute your fair share of equity to the Co-op. Membership levels are set amounts for household or individual ownerships, and you can invest in installments or the entire amount at once. All Co-op owners are the owners of the business; they elect Board owners who ensure that the Co-op remains true to its bylaws.

Q: Can I shop if I'm a owner of another co-op?

Answer: Visitors who are current owners of another retail food co-op may show their ownership cards to the cashier and receive ownership prices at Willy Street Co-op.

Q: Do organically raised apples taste better than apples sprayed with herbicides, pesticides and coated with wax? Is the organic apple healthier for you?

Answer: Many people say organic apples taste better and some folks say they can't tell the difference. Either way, everyone agrees that apples sprayed with chemical herbicides and pesticides must be scrubed very well with a brush before they are eaten. This is especially true if they are eaten by children, who are still developing.

Q: Do I need to write down the price-per-pound on my purchases?

Answer: Because we have such a large variety of bulk foods and produce items, we use a PLU (Price Look Up) system in our computer system. The PLU number for a product is located on the upper right hand corner of its sign. Writing down these numbers is not required, but it does make the check-out procedure more efficient. Clipboards and pencils are provided at the front of the store for this purpose.

Q: Do I have to bring my own containers and bags?

Answer: One of the great things about buying in bulk is that you can buy as much or as little as you need and you don't have as much packaging to throw away when you get home! We do provide bags and containers, but we encourage people to bring their own bulk food containers and shopping bags. When using jars or plastic containers weigh the container first, write the weight down, and tell your cashier so you are not charged for the container. For bulk pasta, flour, granola, etc., zippered plastic bags work well. We also accept and re-use brown paper shopping bags in good condition.

Q: How do I know if what I'm buying is organic?

Answer: Organic produce and bulk foods will say "organic" on their labels or signs. The majority of our produce is organic, and its growers must be certified by a third-party certifying organization. Organic packaged foods list organic ingredients and indicate the third-party certifying organization.

Q: What are natural foods?

Answer: Currently, no legal definition of natural foods exists. The concept of natural foods is generally understood to mean free of artificial coloring, preservatives, artificial ingredients, and minimally processed. There is no guarantee, however, that a product labeled "natural" possesses any of these qualities. Buy from a retailer you trust, one that is in business to serve your needs, not their own.

Q: What if I don't see items I am shopping for?

Answer: Please ask! Our first priority is customer service. We are available to help you find what you need in the store. If we don't carry it, we may be able to order it for you.

Q: How come you're so expensive?

Answer: Dollar for dollar, we believe you are getting more food value for your money at the Co-op; and you may well save money down the line on health care costs. We carry products that are less processed and more unique than those found in the large supermarkets. The supermarket chains must buy foods that have a long shelf life - food that is frequently purchased from corporate farms outside the United States and shipped thousands of miles. We carry foods produced by local growers and small companies that take pride in their products, answer directly to Willy Street Coop department heads and try to make a decent living by being trustworthy and reliable.

In the grocery wholesale business, the more you buy, the bigger the discount. We are a small store therefore we can't buy in the huge amounts that a superstore or chain store can. We offer specials (Health & Wellness, Member Rewards, Bi-Weekly and Essentials) every week. However, we strive to be competitive in price and affordable for everyone.

Q: Why does the Co-op sell Cheerios and conventionally-grown produce?

Answer: The Co-op's first three goals, as listed in our bylaws, are:

1. To provide nutritious, wholesome food to the Madison community, concentrating on the east side, at fair prices—that is, as low as possible without sacrificing the Co-op's other goals;
2. To provide other goods and services which are consistent with this primary activity; so that the needs of owners and customers may be better served, and
3. To operate Willy Street Co-operative on a sound financial basis for the long-term benefit of owners and the community.

We exist to serve our owners—all 14,000+ of them. Mostly, owners want to buy natural and organic foods at the Co-op; but we also serve the neighborhood and want to attract new owners from this diverse area. If people can find products they are used to and feel they can afford to buy them at our store, they are more likely to feel welcome.

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