1612 Sherman Blvd.  Fort Wayne, IN  46808  (260) 424-8812

Membership

• Annual fee $20.00 (or $5.00 for 3 months)
  
  
• Includes all persons of the same household
  
  
• Voting Privileges
  • Board of Directors elections
  • Special Issues
  
  
• Bi-monthly newsletter mailed (or emailed!) to you
  
  
• Pay member price
  
  
• Volunteer opportunities for in-store work, committees, or Board of Directors.

Equity Membership

• $200 and up (may be paid in installments)
• Provides the Co-op with funds for large capital projects
• Reduces annual membership fee to $10
• Does not accrue interest
• May be refunded upon request

Volunteering

In-store volunteers at the 3 Rivers Food Co-op are trained by a manager and scheduled to work a weekly two-hour shift. This volunteer status benefits the member-owner with a 10% discount on Co-op purchases (a few select items are not discountable). Volunteers are an essential part of our co-op. With the committed ownership of our volunteers, our progress and success have proven to be outstanding.

Several other volunteer positions are not as rigid as in-store volunteering. Tasks like shoveling the winter snow or gardening in the spring and summer months are important positions, scheduled in a different manner.

Please contact our manager if you would like to be a Co-op volunteer.

S.P.R.O.U.T. Team: A new type of volunteering is beginning at the Co-op! The Special PRojects and Other Useful Tasks Team will be working on the last day of each month, helping the Co-op stay fresh and accurate by assisting with inventory, cleaning, and working on special projects. Stop by the member services desk or call Joanne at 424-8812 to get your name on the list.

Means of Payment

• Cash
• Personal Check - with valid driver's license and phone number
• Charge Card - Visa, Master Card, Discover
• Debit Card - Mac, Magic Line
• Food Stamps - with ID and signed booklet

Mission Statement

The mission of the 3 Rivers Food Co-op is to operate a full-line grocery store with an emphasis on whole, natural foods. We are structured on and operate under the cooperative principles. Open to the public, we cater to consumers interested in organic and environmentally conscious products. Service is our priority while providing products at fair prices. In addition, we seek growth through education of members and the larger community about healthful living and cooperative philosophy.

Board of Directors

The Co-op's Board of Directors consists of seven seats, elected by the membership. Directors serve either one- or three-year terms. The Board meets several times a year, with monthly meetings scheduled on the third Monday of the month. Directors should attend all meetings. Each Director is expected to attend meetings, assist with the work, and provide leadership.

Since the Board serves as the voice of the membership, Directors should be available to members to provide information as well as to learn what members' concerns are. The Board is responsible for the Annual Members' meeting (usually in September or October) and all Directors are expected to help plan and carry out the meeting as well as to attend it. This is the one time of year when members have an opportunity to talk with the entire Board informally and at length.

History

3 Rivers Food Co-op was founded in the 1970's as a natural foods buying club with over 200 members who ordered food monthly. All the members participated in the monthly ordering, gathering, and distributing.

After a year or two, the members voted to open a retail store. Some of the advantages of a store were providing a variety of foods and buying smaller quantities more often. Under the leadership of the Board of Directors, money was raised by loans from members. A small retail space was chosen and renovated by volunteers from the membership.

3 Rivers Food Co-op was open for business October 1, 1976, at 1111 Broadway with volunteer managers and several volunteer workers. The rental space had shelves and two coolers, which in the beginning were only half-filled with products. The store was open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 to 6.

3 Rivers Food Co-op has grown steadily since 1976 and expanded in the 1990's to become "3 Rivers Co-op Natural Food & Deli" at 1126 Broadway with a larger space, many more products and more than 1600 members.

The most recent growth of the 3 Rivers Food Co-op involves the move from the Broadway location to our new home at 1612 Sherman Blvd. in the former Walgreen's building. We opened the doors for business April 23, 2003, and are excited about our new home that is just one mile north of the old store. (Find a map and directions on our Contact page.)