BECOME A MEMBER

Become a member-owner by investing in the Muskoka region’s first co-operative grocery market and Community Food Centre, the Muskoka North Good Food Co-op!

Although one does not have to be a member-owner to shop and use the services of the co-op, becoming a member of Muskoka North Good Food Co-op makes you and your family owners for life! Each member-owner has equal democratic control over what happens with the future of the co-op; one membership = one vote on important decision-making, projects and future growth.

Muskoka North Good Food Co-op is a multi-stakeholder co-op. This means that there are a few different levels of membership depending on the type of use and involvement each “user” of the grocery market and community food centre has.

OUR CO-OP IS

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MEMBER-OWNERS STRONG!

Which membership is right for you?

Starting on January 1st, 2024 and in preparation for a hopeful future expansion, the Board of Directors has made the decision to increase our lifetime membership fees. As our community-owned Co-op grows, we need to ensure that we're aligning our needs with financial responsibility, while reinvesting generated revenues into our expansion plans. Through research, and our recent travels and exposure to other established Food Co-op's, we've learned that we have the 'best deal in town' on the Co-operative member-ownership scene. As always, EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO SHOP AND PARTICIPATE IN THE CO-OP with or without membership. While we're harnessing several opportunities to raise capital for our future growth, we have determined that raising the cost of membership from $60 LIFETIME to $100 LIFETIME will raise member equity and our chances to expand! We will not be changing the benefits of our LIFETIME membership, unless we are adding to them!

LIFETIME
Family Membership

Lifetime Family Membership

$100 one-time fee

This is for all community members who wish to participate as consumers and make use of the services that the co-op offers. A "Family Membership" is made up of 1-2 adults, who live under the same roof, along with all children.
Sign Me Up!

LIFETIME
Producer Membership

Lifetime Producer Membership

$100 one-time fee

This membership gives all of our producers the ability to market and sell their products in the Co-op. Our producers are also consumers: they can use this membership and receive benefits just like a Family Membership.
Join Us!

LIFETIME
Corporate Membership

Lifetime Corporate Membership

$150 one-time fee

This is a fabulous way for small and large businesses to access the best food possible along with procurement and distribution services that will make buying at the Co-op easy, direct, affordable and consistent! 
Become a Member!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Can anyone shop at the Co-op?

    Yes! We are an inclusive organization and EVERYONE IS WELCOME to shop at the Co-op.

  • Do you have to live in Muskoka to join?

    No, we have several member-owners who reside in other parts of Ontario, Canada and internationally. Most have become members because they spend time at their cottages in the area through the summer, and because they appreciate what the Co-op is doing and want to show their support by becoming members.

  • How much does it cost to join?

    Our multi-stakeholder lifetime membership model is as follows:

    • Family Membership (all who live under the same roof)- $60/life
    • Producer Membership (all producers featured in the Co-op are owners of the Co-op)- $100/life
    • Corporate Membership (any business that would like to become owners of the Co-op- this encompasses the business owner(s) not the staff of the business)- $150/life

  • What are the benefits of being a Co-op member?

    • The first and most important benefit is that when you become a member-owner, you are contributing to making this great project thrive! All member-owners are investing in the creation and growth of a democratic, open and inclusive regional food system that supports our local agri-food producers, offers the benefit of food literacy education, builds a thriving local food economy, and gets delicious, safe and nutritious foods onto more plates of more people right where we live!
    • Receive 10% OFF your groceries on Member Monday! 
    • Members receive weekly and monthly discounts on special sales items
    • Members have priority access to workshops, training, & special events. They also see cost savings on all ticket and registration costs.
    • Members have the ability to serve on the Board of Directors, on special committees, and act as special advisors.
    • Members can special order bulk items through the Co-op at a cost+20% rate. 
    • Members have access to case-lot sales and special orders.
    • Members can volunteer and take advantage of our Co-op Ambassador perks as we develop and grow.

  • What does the Co-op carry? Does the Co-op carry organic food? Does the Co-op carry only organic food?

    The Co-op has an important and integral Procurement Policy in place which all of our purchasing decisions are based on.


    • The Co-op provides an always growing, and diversified stock. Our main grocery categories are as follows:
    • Proteins: Including meats, fish, bulk beans and pulses, organic tofu, tempeh and much more
    • Dairy: Organic Ontario produced milk, cream, sour cream and yogurts, a wide selection of cheeses (cow and goat milk)
    • Eggs: Certified and local chicken, duck and quail eggs
    • Produce: First, regional, carefully sourced produce as much as the seasons can sustain us, then we source certified organic Ontario-grown, and last we source certified organic imports (because we need avocado’s and banana’s!)
    • Value-added: A beautiful selection of culinary artisanal products made from regional ingredients by producers in Muskoka, Northern and Southern Ontario
    • Bulk: A wide variety from beans and lentils, to popcorn and cane sugar- all certified organic and majority of it Ontario/Canada produced
    • Grains and Flours: Locally produced rolled oats, freshly milled, locally-produced flours, Ontario-grown quinoa, and a growing variety of baking ingredients including dried fruits, seeds and nuts
    • Body Care Products: Developed by regional health experts who use nothing but the safest and most ethically produced and sourced ingredients
    • Home Care: As our members ask for home care products, we source them, bring them in and sustain them on our shelves
    • Pet Treats: Coming straight from Haliburton, we are proud that our dog treats are as awesome as our people treats. Clean, pure and produced locally!

    *One more thing: All of the food at the Co-op is GMO free! Praise be!

  • Do members have to work at the Co-op?

    No this is not a requirement; however, we LOVE member-volunteers. The more volunteer input we have, the easier it is to meet our mandate of providing the best access to the best food for ALL. Please check out our Volunteer Ambassador page to see how you can become more involved in the day-to-day operations of the Co-op. We would love to have you! Oh yeah, once the Co-op opens in its full capacity, there will be great benefits offered to those who volunteer like lunch at the Café and discounts on your groceries!

* For complete membership rules and details, please see MNGFC Bylaws