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About 14 years ago, the Bloomingfoods Board of Directors updated our bylaws to allow for patronage rebates. Patronage rebates are considered an equitable and democratic way to distribute co-op profits to the membership. If a store finishes the year with a profit, the surplus can be distributed among members proportional to their individual purchases. In this way, each member receives their portion of the profit. In November, the Board of Directors reviewed our financial reporting for Fiscal Year 2009 and upon seeing that the co-op enjoyed financial success (during a recession), declared a patronage rebate of $46,488 for fiscal year 2009. After many years of expansion and growth for the co-op, during which any surpluses were reinvested to capitalize and strengthen the organization, we are excited to be issuing a rebate to more than 6,200 members who were active shoppers at the co-op between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009.
Using your member number when you shop is important because it is how we determine your rebate amount. Your transaction totals are recorded at the registers and at the end of the year we run reports to determine your total purchase amount. We then total all the sales from members. Next, we calculate your total contribution to member sales as a percentage. This percentage represents your proportional share of the profits.
The checks that will be issued range from $5.01 to $76.98. Due to the associated administrative costs, we have determined a minimum check amount. We will not be issuing checks for less than $5. For those shoppers who have a rebate of less than $5, the co-op will retain the equity in an account, in their name. The Board can decide at some point in the future to return some or all of our retained patronage and choose to include these funds at that time.
Patronage rebates are aligned with the Third Cooperative Principle, “Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. . . Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative. . . supporting other activities, or distributed to members in proportion to purchases.” We are excited to be in a strong financial position and able to issue a patronage rebate. Thank you for making the co-op so successful.
Mary Beth Haas, Treasurer
on behalf of the Finance Committee and the Bloomingfood Board of Directors |
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Buyers at the East Store continue to seek out the best in gluten-free products. Here are some fo the latest and best.  Ian's Gluten Free/Wheat Free Cookie Buttons
You’ve never had cookies like Ian’s Wheat-Free/Gluten-Free Cookie Buttons before! These bitty buttons are the perfect addition to your lunch box or soccer bag and come in individual bags that are all your own—and it’s a good thing because you won’t want to share! Plus, they are made without wheat or gluten. So even kids with food allergies can enjoy them! You’ll love the taste, and your mom will love the all-natural ingredients!
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by Laura Gleason
Cold season is here, and the Bloomingfoods wellness aisles are bustling.
Interest in cold and flu remedies has picked up since the weather got cold, according to Mark Jennings, wellness manager at Bloomingfoods East. “Customers are looking for natural alternative remedies to over-the-counter drugs,” he said.
 Elderberry products like Sambucol Black Elderberry Immune System Support have been greatly in demand so far. Julie Harries, wellness manager at the Near West Side takes New Chapter Immunity Take Care elderberry lozenges throughout flu season as a preventive measure. Jennings often makes himself an elderberry tea at home.
Homeopathic flu remedies like Oscillococcinum also have their following. "I’ve worked in natural food stores for 12 years. This product is definitely one of the top sellers during cold and flu season,” Jennings said. Products like Oscillococcinum are meant to be taken at the first signs of illness.
Harries believes natural remedies address the source of a cold, in comparison with certain generic cold and flu drugs designed to provide temporary relief from symptoms. Jennings agreed, adding that most natural remedies don’t have the unpleasant side effects associated with pharmaceutical drugs.
Of course there’s nothing wrong with wanting some instant relief. When Renee Philips, a junior at IU, got a cold, she stocked up on Ricola Herb Throat Drops at Bloomingfoods Kirkwood, where she’s a cashier. “When I got sick I bought all my cough drops here because they taste so good,” said Philips, who favors the Cherry Honey flavor. |
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