about us | departments | ownership | mission | news | contact | site map

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions


1. What makes Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op different from a “regular” grocery store?

Imagine telling a major grocery store chain you’d like to sit in on their board meetings. Imagine submitting to them your application for board candidacy so you can help to determine the future of the company. Imagine telling them you’d like their profits to return to the store – not the elite circle of investors – so that they can continue to grow the services they offer their patrons. Imagine requesting that they return some of their profits to you.

Then imagine them telling you to go down to the Co-op.

While many conventional grocery stores now feature “natural” sections, the Co-op is the Roanoke Valley’s trusted source for natural and organic foods, and has been since the early 1970s.

One of the major distinguishing factors of the Co-op is that it is a locally founded, owned, and operated business - run by a management staff, and governed by a democratically elected board of directors that the membership chooses.

The Co-op operates from a mission statement, and the internationally recognized cooperative principles:

1. Voluntary and Open Membership
2. Democratic Member Control
3. Member Economic Participation
4. Autonomy and Independence
5. Education, Training and Information
6. Cooperation among Cooperatives
7. Concern for Community

2. What makes a food item “organic?”

In order to be USDA Certified Organic (look for the green seal!), a product must meet the standards laid out in the National Organic Program (NOP). These regulations became law in 2002, and in the simplest terms mean that in order to be organic,

  1. Produce cannot be grown using synthetic herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, or any other growth aid that requires processing with chemicals. Additionally, the standard lays out requirements to maintain soil integrity and health.
  2. Animals must be raised without the use of antibiotics, growth hormones, or synthetic substances. Animal feed must be organic (and therefore not contain animal by-products) and animals must have access to air, sunlight, and shelter.

Organic farming also helps to maintain and replenish the integrity of the soil, so that crops can be grown for years to come.

3. Why do organic foods sometimes cost more than their non-organic counterparts?

Many conventional practices cut corners - and costs - in ways that organic farms cannot without defy the principles of organic farming.

For example, a conventional farming industry standard is to feed animal by-products (remains of slaughtered animals that are not suitable for sale) to other animals. This is the practice that brought us BSE or Mad Cow Disease.

Though it may seem counter-intuitive, the less an item has been processed, the more money has gone into maintaining the purity of that product. Farmers must account for the costs, and they are often passed on to the consumer.

4. What does the term “natural” mean when applied to food?

There is no USDA labeling guideline for the term “natural.”

In early winter of 2007, USDA is held a series of listening sessions to determine a parameters for the word “natural” when applied to beef and poultry processing and raising. Check back in for updates!

At the Co-op, we use the word “natural” to apply to a product that is free of artificial colorants, artificial or heavily processed ingredients, and artificial preservatives.

We carefully review new and changing products to ensure they continue to meet our criteria. If you have a question about a product marked “natural” at our store or any store, it is your right to ask!

5. What region(s) does the Co-op consider “local?”

 

6. What are “nitrites?”

 

7. Which is better: local or organic?

That depends on what’s important to you. We recommend both – and especially local, organic products. At the Co-op, you can choose from all these options.

Locally produced products help to support the local economy and keep our consumer dollars close to home, where they can make a positive contribution to our Blue Ridge communities. Consider that according to FarmAid, only 9 cents of each food dollar actually goes to the farmer; the rest goes to middlemen and marketers. Buying locally grown food at the Co-op benefits family farms directly, keeping them supplied with the consumer demand they need to stay in the business of growing our community's food.

With rising fuel costs and continued problems with food security, many Americans are rediscovering their locally produced seasonal foods. At the Co-op, we're proud to say that we've been in touch with the local food system since our inception over 30 years ago.

If they’re not organic, the locally produced items you’ll find for sale at the Co-op are usually natural or low-spray. If you have a question about how a product is made, always ask!

Organic products are made with close attention to the health of the consumer and the consumer’s environment. Through organic farming techniques, water and land quality are preserved, and the soil is not stripped of minerals. See FAQ #2 for a more detail explanation of what goes into organic farming.

We’re working hard to find new sources of local and local, organic foods. Our local list continues to grow, so check back in frequently!

8. I’ve heard the organic standard will be changed by legislation passed in November of 2005. What will this mean?

We won’t know until the passage of the 2007 Farm Bill, currently in Congress. The former chair of the Committee, our own Bob Goodlatte (R), has been replaced by Collin Peterson (D) Minnesota.

Contact him (http://collinpeterson.house.gov) and let him know what’s important to you!

9. Is the Co-op hiring?

To find out about Co-op job openings, visit our Employment Opportunities page.

10. I’m new to shopping in the bulk section. How does it work?

When you buy from our bulk section, you aren’t constrained by packaging. You can purchases as much or as little as you need, scooping the product from the bin into the bags we provide you.

Twist ties are also provided, as are pens so that you can write the number of the bulk bin on the twist tie. Bulk prices are calculated by weight; at the register, the cashier will enter in the bulk bin number, and will weigh the item. The computer then figures the total cost.

Because you pay per pound, buying items from our bulk section is an inexpensive way to try new products.

11. I am diabetic/vegetarian/vegan/keep kosher/have celiac disease/have Irritable Bowel Syndrome/on a low sodium diet. Do you have products to meet these dietary restrictions?

Definitely. We have a variety of products to meet most dietary needs. If you’re looking for something in particular, let us know. If we don’t carry it in stock, we may be able to order it for you.

12. Who owns the Co-op?

The Co-op is owned by its membership, and governed by our Board of Directors that the membership elects. Currently the Co-op has around 1,950 member-owners. 

13.What are the benefits of ownership?

Being a member-owner of the Co-op entitles you to:

14. How do I become an owner?

The current 2006-07 membership year runs until June 30, 2007. In order to join the Co-op as a member-owner, you pay a prorated fee of $1.33 per month (single membership) or $2.33 (household membership.)

You can fill out an application in the store, or take one home with you and bring it back. There is no selection process to become a member; anyone can join. Once your information has been received and your membership fee processed, you will receive a membership card that you present each time you shop.

This card contains a bar code that will allow us to calculate your total yearly purchases so that we may determine the amount of the patronage rebate to return to you in profitable years.

Your purchases are not monitored for marketing purposes, nor do we share your contact or purchasing information. Those things are too time-consuming and not at all interesting to us.

15. Can I use the Community Room for my group’s meeting?

Most likely. We rent out the Community Room to groups by application on a first come, first-served basis. We charge $5 for owners and $10 for non-owners per hour. If your group is a non-profit organization, you can request to have the fee waived.

For a full Community Room policy, and to check the room’s availability email the director of marketing and communications.

16. How often does The Co-Optimist publish?

The Co-op publishes The Co-Optimist three times annually, generally following this cycle:

Each issue is seasonally relevant, and focuses on in-store specials, special events, and industry news. 

The Co-Optimist circulates in the Roanoke Times, is posted on our Web site, is distributed in our store, and is stationed in over 70 businesses across the Valley.

Would you like to carry The Co-Optimist in your business? Email the Co-Optimist editor.

17. How can I write for The Co-Optimist?

Send query letters and samples to the Co-Optimist editor.

18. What are the Happy Belly Deli’s hours?

The Deli is open Monday – Saturday from 10AM-4PM and Sunday from 12noon-4PM.

19. Can I order large quantities and/or platters from the Happy Belly Deli?

Absolutely. Call the store at 343.5652 and ask to speak to the Deli, or email Chris Parkhurst, deli team leader with your questions.

20. I’m a local producer of a natural product. Will the Co-op consider carrying it?

Tell us more about it! Visit our contact page to find the department leader you should contact. You can call the store at 540.343.5652, or email the department leader directly.

21. I’m working on a fundraiser to benefit a non-profit organization. Will the Co-op donate?

In order to submit a donation request, contact the director of marketing and communications.

22. Do I get a discount if I order items by the case?

Usually. Most case lots are eligible for a 10% discount. Ask for a special order form at Customer Service, or call the store at 343.5652 to place your order.

23. I am not an owner; am I eligible to receive the monthly “Co-op Advantage Program” (CAP) sale prices?

Yes. All customers receive CAP sales prices just by shopping at the Co-op. No coupons or special discount cards are necessary. That’s the Co-op Advantage!