Join Honest Weight
You can own part of the largest food co-op in the Capital Region!
When you join Honest Weight, you become an Owner of the Capital Region's most successful food cooperative. You'll be pooling resources with thousands of others who believe in healthy food and healthy living, so that you can provide natural foods, healthy products, and supportive services to your family and your local community.
Benefits of becoming an Owner:
- Discounts on all your purchases, including whole and nutritious foods, wellness products, garden products, and more
- Learn about health and nutrition through newsletter articles, classes, and mutual exchange
- Support hyperlocal businesses and small-scale farming
- Encourage sound ecological practices
- Receive discounts from local businesses who participate in our Co-op Connections program
- Additional case discounts when qualified - check at the customer service desk for more information
- Become a Member-Owner by investing time and effort in Honest Weight
- In addition to all of the above, Member-Owners have the right to vote at all Membership Meetings, run for the Board, and serve on committees, as long as time investment hours are current- You own it!
It's easy to become an Owner of the
Honest Weight Food Co-op.
Become part of our community and enjoy all that ownership brings. Just attend orientation, fill out an owner application, make your owner payment and you’re in!
Check out the info on this webpage for answers to many of your questions, email Memberservices@honestweight.coop if you need more guidance about joining or attending orientations, or scroll down to sign up for an online orientation.
You will need to provide proof of residency in New York State at the time of application. A valid New York State Driver’s License is the most commonly used proof of residency, but if you don’t have one, certain other documents will suffice. We'll walk you through the process after orientation and answer any questions you may have.
To join, you must buy a Certificate of Ownership and become an owner of the Honest Weight Food Co-op. Ownership Certificates cost $100.00, and your purchase is a one-time cost. You may choose to pay the $100 in full the day you join (in which case you’ll never have another payment), or you may select one of the following payment plans:
- $10 deposit & $8.45/month for 11 months (totals $102.95)
- $15 deposit & $15.69 every 6 months for 3 years (totals $109.14)
- $10 deposit & $10.55 every 6 months for 5 years (totals $115.50)
Your 2% discount takes effect immediately, regardless of which payment option you choose. Payments can be made at any time by mail, over the phone or at the Service Desk, and there is no penalty for paying for your ownership cost ahead of schedule. Your owner payment status information is available whenever you check in for your time investment, or simply by calling the store and asking when your next owner payment is due. If you choose to end your Honest Weight membership, you may request a refund for the ownership interest you purchased (an Ownership Certificate after February 2018, or a Share if you purchased before March of 2016.)
As an Owner you are expected to:
- Make timely ownership payments.
- Purchase an ownership certificate for each member of your household who is 18 years of age or older.
- Actively participate in the Co-op’s governance structure (whereby Member-Owners who are up to date on time investment hours may vote at Membership Meetings).
Becoming an Owner of Honest Weight has many benefits: for you, for your store, and for your community.
Owners and Member-Owners enjoy discounts according to the following scale:
- 2% - All Owners who are up to date with owner payments.
- 5% - Any Senior Owner (65 years old and over) who is up to date with owner payments, with an 8% discount on Wednesdays.
- "Extra 5%" - All Owners receive an additional 5% discount (in addition to their regular discount) on select local "Owner Deals" found throughout the store (marked with a green “LOCAL: Owners save an extra 5%” sign).
- All Owners can also take advantage of additional discounts at other businesses through our Co-op Community Connections.
- Owners may also have the option to invest time in the store as Member-Owners for an additional discount. See our Member-Owner Opportunities page for more information about our time investment opportunities.
- 8% - Monthly Member-Owner who invests 3 hours of time for the Co-op per month.
- 24% - Weekly Member-Owner who invests 3 hours of time for the Co-op per week.
- As a new Owner the 2% discount takes effect immediately after you purchase your ownership; just show the cashier the receipt for your first Owner payment until your ownership card arrives in the mail (usually within two weeks of the date you purchase your Ownership Certificate).
The support and involvement of our Owners make the Co-op a strong, participatory, and responsive community. As Owners of a cooperative, we collectively make a remarkable and demonstrable impact on our local community and the sustainability of our local economy.
Didn't get the email with a class schedule? Click here to view it in your browser
New Owner Orientations
For those who wish to join Honest Weight Food Cooperative, orientations are typically held several times each month, and are about three hours long. The Co-op will make a personal appointment for you if you cannot make any of our regularly scheduled orientations, or if you are a person who would be better served by a private orientation. At this time the Coop is offering online orientations via scheduled Zoom meetings and a limited number of in-person classes.
The Board of Directors and You
All Owners are represented by an elected Board of Directors. Directors serve up to three year terms and are elected at a Membership Meeting each April.
Any Member-Owner who is current with owner payments and time investment hours may apply to run for election to the Board or GRC and may vote for Board candidates and all elected positions.