Be Part of Something Bigger

Silverton Food Co-op is community-owned—that means if you join, you own it! And so do your neighbors and friends. When you make an investment in Silverton Food Co-Op, you receive financial benefits. You also become part of something bigger: a group of consumers joining together to grow a business that meets their needs.

While we are currently unable to open a store-front, we are working toward our mission in other ways, with the aim of eventually opening a retail space. In the meantime, we're hosting community events that bring local and organic products to our members and the community as a whole.

In return, the co-op makes this promise: We pledge to serve our community with quality products and honest information. Unlike most businesses that make decisions primarily to maximize profits, cooperatives make decisions to maximize service to their owners and the community.

Benefits to the Community

The Silverton Food Co-op will boost the local economy by keeping profits in the community, creating more jobs, and supporting our local farmers and producers. By fostering community participation, creating a business governed by and for its owners, and offering fresh, healthy, and local food, our co-op will promote a healthier community.

Become an Owner

The Cooperative Principles

Like other co-ops across the country, the Silverton Food Co-op operates under the seven cooperative principles. These principles guide our decision-making and structure as we work to build our co-op community.

Voluntary and open membership: Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination.
Democratic member control: Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and decision-making.
Member economic participation: Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative.
Autonomy and independence: Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members.
Education, training, and information: Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperative.
Cooperation among cooperatives: Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by cooperating with one another.
Concern for community: While focusing on members’ needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.