The Co-op Board of Directors approved a one-time-only extension for investment share purchases! Now available through April 14, 2019.
Thank you for your interest in Community Food Co-op Investment Shares. We are looking for Co-op member-owners who are ready to invest from $500 to $200,000 locally in their co-op.
Our goal is to raise $3 million in shares by April 14, 2019. With your support we can reach that goal.
As of December 30, we exceeded $1 million in invest shares.
Thoughts from a few of our investors—
“We shop at the Co-op regularly. We believe in the mission. The Co-op is an important part of our community and the Co-op supports many things about community.” –Pat and Gail
“We need strong, vibrant institutions. I am not investing only for a financial return; I am investing in the future of my community.” –Matteo
WHY INVEST IN THE CO-OP?
Reason #1: We want you to own the bakery building! The Co-op Corner at Holly and Forest streets, with the new bakery building and downtown store, has quickly become a cornerstone and welcoming icon to Downtown Bellingham. The Co-op received a 2018 City Center Award for the innovative renovation of the bakery building. The transformation of the building was magnificent, and we want Co-op member-owners to own this valuable asset, rather than the bank.
We want you to own the award-winning Co-op bakery building.
Reason #2: Your investment could earn more money than it would at a bank. The rate of return on your investment beats the interest paid by banks on savings accounts or CDs. Earn from 2.75% up to 5% on your investment! See the below table for more information about the rate of return.
Get a great return on your investment.
Reason #3: An overwhelming 97% of Co-op member-owners who voted in the March 2018 Board Election approved a proposal to change the Co-op’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, thereby making this investment opportunity possible.
Your fellow member-owners overwhelmingly approved this opportunity.
Reason #4: Cooperative Principle No. 3 is Member Economic Participation, and one of the unique characteristics of a co-op is the ability to raise capital from its member-owners.
Just as the Co-op invests in the local economy, our member-owners can invest in us!
HOW WILL THE MONEY BE USED?
The Co-op plans to use to proceeds of the investment shares to pay down debt associated with the purchase and remodel of the award-winning Co-op Bakery building on Holly Street. In practical terms, this makes it possible to pay investment share dividends to Co-op member-owner investors, rather than paying interest to an institutional lender (i.e., a credit union or bank).
Paying off debt on the Co-op’s most valuable asset strengthens the Co-op’s financial position.
WHAT RETURN COULD I GET ON MY INVESTMENT?
There are three classes of investment shares. Dividends will be paid annually, when declared by the Co-op Board of Directors.
| Class | Price per Share | Dividend Rate | Number of years until Redeemable | Minimum Purchase |
| Class B | $100 | 2.75% | 1 | $500 |
| Class C | $500 | 4% | 4 | $2,500 |
| Class D | $1,000 | 5% | 5 | $10,000 |
HOW TO INVEST
If you are interested in investing, request an Investment Shares packet via email at investment@communityfood.coop. The packet includes all the information you need to make your investment, including a Disclosure Statement and Share Purchase Agreement documents.
Thanks for considering investing in your co-op!
In cooperation,
Jon Edholm, Co-op Finance Manager and Adrienne Renz, Co-op General Manager
