“ are internal tokens (with no value in dollars) that allow members to receive credit for help they provide to non-profits or individual Simbi members, without having to exchange talents directly.
Sharing Co-op Ownership Prices
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A cooperative is an association of persons united to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned enterprise. Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others. A Co-op strives to offer choices to fit a wide variety of household budgets and lifestyles.
Serving southern Wisconsin & northern Illinois since 1977, Basics is Janesville, Wisconsin’s first and only storefront food co-op; a full-service natural and organic grocery store open to the public and owned by its community! Their goal? To provide high-quality natural and organic foods, supplements and lifestyle aids – with exceptional customer service! They are dedicated to providing valuable, healthy choices at reasonable prices. Eat Well, Do Good!
The mission of the Co-op is to serve the community by: operating a socially responsible and financially sound business that provides a full selection of natural and organic foods and quality products; offering a variety of necessities at reasonable prices; providing friendly, knowledgeable customer service; promoting awareness about food, nutrition, health, and cooperative values; and providing a workplace that fosters opportunities for participation, empowerment, and growth in an environment of mutual respect and cooperation. The Co-op is organized and shall be operated exclusively on a cooperative and nonprofit basis as a full-service grocery store open to the public and owned by its community.
To Co-op's 'natural foods' are whole foods that are as pure and minimally processed as we can find them—with as little as possible removed and with nothing artificial added. Natural foods are loaded with nutrients and in balance, both within the foods themselves and with nature in general. Natural, whole foods at the Co-op are free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Not sure whether the Co-op will help you save money? It sounds simple, but many people overlook this option:
Compare prices on your common purchases between the Co-op and your usual grocery store/s.
If you want to explore, you do not have to be an Owner to shop at the Co-op; everyone can shop but owners save more.
I'll tag along with you on your next shopping trip to pick out a few items, or stroll around the store with you to check prices on a few items you buy most often. Then you will know if your local Co-op is a cheaper option for you.
OWNER DISCOUNTS
* Basics Co-op Owners save 5% on regular-priced items every day!
* Basics Co-op Owners enjoy 5+10% off regular-priced items storewide, the first Tuesday, or the Super Tuesday, of every month!
* Basics Co-op Owners enjoy 10% off regular-priced Basics Brand supplements every Sunday!
* Basics Co-op Owners enjoy 10% off regular-priced Fresh Produce every Monday!
* Seniors (65+) enjoy 5% off regular-priced items every Tuesday. 5+5% off for Senior Basics Co-op Owners except on Super Tuesday.
FRESH LOCAL & ORGANIC PRODUCE
- The Co-op Produce Department carries a variety of organically grown produce including fruits, vegetables, herbs, and seasonal plants. They also take pride in offering as much locally grown produce as they are able to source, year round!
GREAT CUTS, LOCAL FARM-FRESH EGGS
- The Co-op strives to find the finest and freshest dairy, meat, and eggs produced using environmentally friendly and humane practices. They do their best to source from local family farmers and producers first before they source from elsewhere.
DRY GROCERY
- Everything from Natural & Organic Snacks to Soups, Sauces, Baking Ingredients & MORE!
GLUTEN FREE
- An entire aisle as well as a section of the Frozen Department are dedicated exclusively to Gluten Free groceries.
BULK DEPARTMENT
- Buy a Pinch or a Pound! The Co-op's Bulk aisles offer all kinds of everyday staples for purchase by the pound: herbs and spices, grains, nuts, seeds, granola, trail mixes and snacks, flours, rice, sweeteners, and beans.
Training & Qualifications
I currently have an active membership.
The ever-changing marketplace, combined with continued changes in the way our food is produced, ensures that our Co-ops will always be kept on their toes regarding how to choose which products are on their shelves. As a cooperative, we have the right to know how they make those choices.
The purchasing guidelines of Basics Co-op will give preference to products that meet the following standards:
- Grown or produced locally (In WI or within 100 miles) or regionally
- Certified organic
- Non-GMO
- Cruelty free
- Certified humane
- Antibiotic and hormone free
- Fair trade
- Naturally flavored or colored
- Minimal/responsible packaging
- Meets the need of people on specialty diets, such as wheat-free, gluten-free, dairy free, vegan, etc.
- Requested by Basics Co-op Owners
Basics Co-op will not knowingly carry products that contain or were produced with:
- Artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Nitrates or nitrites
- Hydrogenated oils (trans fats)
- High fructose corn syrup
- MSG
- Antibiotics or growth hormones
- Animal testing
Availability & Preferences
I have a family so I work everything around those obligations. Without previous planning, I'm usually available periodically throughout the day: typically during my child's naps, evenings, and weekends.
I look forward to hearing from you and helping you through your journey. I aim to please and will do everything in my power to make sure you are satisfied while learning, teaching, and sharing experiences as we grow together within our community.
I personally have great difficulty wrapping my head around the concept of withholding, or denying, an individual or even the whole of the planet, from something that is essential for survival or the opportunity to thrive. Simply because their financial flow is blocked for whatever reason, currently keeping petty symbols of currency, which are nothing more than arbitrarily assigned "values", unavailable to them.
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