We Own It

By-laws of Boston Food Cooperative, Inc.
With Amendments as of March 2001.

Harvest Co-op Mission Statement

Seven Principles of Cooperation

Our Jamaica Plain store on Earth Day, 2001

Harvest Co-op Markets is a community owned, not-for-profit cooperative that started over 30 years ago as two separate Co-ops. Boston University Student Union Food Coop was a small buying club formed by some students at Boston University in 1971. This was a pre-order Co-op: everyone ordered food together to get bulk prices. In 1973, it became the Boston Food Co-op (BFC), and moved to Union Square, Allston. In 1975, Cambridge Food Co-op (CFC), later known as Central Square Market, was opened in Central Square by some BFC members and Cambridge community activists. Their mission was to create a diverse and low cost Co-op open to members. It opened its doors to the general public in 1983. In 1992, the Central Square Market experienced financial difficulties as a result of its move from the basement store to the new location where Harvest, Cambridge is today. The Boston Food Co-op stepped forward with assistance, the two Co-ops joined together, and became Harvest Cooperative Supermarkets.

In May 1998, responding to decreasing business due to changes in the surrounding neighborhood, the Allston location was reluctantly closed. There was a search for a new location, and finally in October 1998, a new location was found in Jamaica Plain, the former site of the Arborway Natural Foods. On May 20, 1999 the doors finally opened. The store was, and continues to be, a great success, adding over 1,000 new members in the first two weeks of operation. When the store opened in Jamaica Plain it was decided to change our name to Harvest Co-op Markets to reflect our commitment to neighborhood stores.

Today, our mission remains the same — to serve our members, and to sell and promote organic, natural, fair trade, and sustainable food products, and to educate and advocate for our members and customers in the food business.

Harvest Co-op Markets Mission Statement

Harvest Co-op Markets is committed to building a vibrant community and healthier world by selling natural and organic food and bringing the benefits of cooperatives to our members.

We offer a full line of products and services sought by our members, with an emphasis on natural and organic foods.

We educate and advocate for our members as consumers.

We support local, organic, cooperative and fair labor suppliers.

We strive to build a democratic and welcoming community that celebrates the diversity of our members.

Seven Principles of Cooperation
As a Cooperative, We at Harvest operate under the Principles of Cooperation. Because we are a Consumer Cooperative, these principles refer to our Membership.

1) Open and Voluntary Membership.
No one is forced to or excluded from joining.

2) Democratic Control
Members elect the Harvest Board of Directors annually.

3) Limited Interest on Capital
Members can only buy one share (one membership, one vote).

4) Equitable Distribution of Profits
Members receive equitable discounts, and any surplus goes back into the coop, or to the community.

5) Education
We educate our members and ourselves on food, food safety, community, environmental and health issues.

6) Cooperation among Cooperatives
We work with other cooperatives in wide varieties of ways.

7) Concern for Community
By outreach, events, donations, education, and other ways, we are involved in our communities.

Let us know what you think about last summer's changes to the membership program!
Send us a comment.