NCG supports start-up co-ops — those not yet operating retail locations — directly in two ways:
- NCG’s Development Co+operative (DC) assists start-up food co-ops in low-income, low access (LILA) communities in developing cooperative solutions to food access issues. The DC provides guidance and resources to help start-ups in these communities at any stage of development and may access NCG’s Store Development team.
- NCG’s Store Development team supports start-up food co-ops by offering consulting and coordination support on project feasibility, planning, programming, design, construction and store set-up. For optimal outcomes, start-ups are advised to engage with NCG’s Store Development team early in the feasibility stage and prior to site selection. Start-up co-ops planning to open in 2026 or later must use Store Development services to open as NCG members, though they can apply for membership after opening if they choose to manage their project independently. Start-up co-ops working with Store Development are endorsed for NCG membership.
Interested in joining NCG? We’ve summarized the key information that start-up co-ops need to know. More detailed information can be found in our membership background document.
Download our membership background document
Who Can Apply to Join NCG
NCG is a business-services cooperative for retail food co-ops. Businesses must be incorporated and operating as a retail food co-op in the United States to apply for membership.
Why Join NCG?
NCG is a co-op founded by co-ops to help them thrive. To support members, NCG functions as both a purchasing co-op and as a development co-op.
Functioning as a purchasing co-op, NCG leverages the collective buying power of our “virtual chain” to secure competitive prices from distributors, vendors and manufacturers. We offer purchasing contracts with UNFI and KeHE, along with promotional programs like Co+op Deals and Co+op Basics, which offer co-op shoppers discounts on thousands of items and competitive prices on staple goods.
As a development co-op, NCG offers consulting services, programs and resources to support retail operations, as well as administrative functions in the areas of talent development, finance, marketing and business technology. We also offer dedicated support for operational improvements and expansion projects.
Member Benefits
NCG member co-ops are entitled to various rights and benefits. These include accessing and influencing NCG’s programs and services, joining peer networks, participating in governance, and receiving dividends when NCG is profitable, as determined by our board.
Member Participation
Active member participation is essential to ensuring we meet members’ needs. Upon joining, each member appoints a Designated Representative (DR) to NCG — typically the general manager — to act on its behalf. DRs sign the member agreement, may run for the board of directors, vote in board elections and other ballot measures, and ensure their co-op meets all membership and program requirements, among other responsibilities.
Financial Requirements
NCG members must invest in NCG’s equity and pay annual dues. The equity investment entails purchasing one $500 voting share of common stock plus base equity calculated at 0.10% of the member’s annual sales volume (and adjusted every three years). When authorized by NCG’s Board, surplus from NCG's net earnings each year is allocated to member equity accounts based on their patronage.
Members pay annual dues. Start-up co-ops without sales pay $500 in base dues until operating for four full quarters. Thereafter, annual dues are assessed based on sales volume, calculated as $1,000 plus 0.10% of annual sales, and capped at $30,000.
Members may have additional financial obligations based on the programs in which they choose to participate. Members participating in NCG’s national distribution contracts share liability for each other’s purchases through a self-insurance fund managed by NCG.
Eligibility Criteria
The requirements of membership for start-up co-ops cover several areas and co-ops must be able to comply with the terms of NCG’s membership agreement:
- Organizational Values and Culture: Start-up co-ops must demonstrate commitment to growth, profitability and continuous improvement, and be willing to align around common business processes, systems and technologies. Start-up co-ops must also commit to fostering diversity and inclusivity in the community, workplace and supply chain.
- Organizational Leadership and Representation: Start-up co-ops must have a full-time general manager or project manager with similar authority in place to serve as designated representative to NCG.
- Project Feasibility: Start-up co-ops must demonstrate project feasibility by providing a market study, pro forma, sources and uses document and staff plan.
- Financial Management and Reporting: Start-up co-ops must commit to adopting NCG’s chart of accounts. Additionally, start-up co-ops must commit to providing budget projections meeting certain financial ratios, maintaining a sound capital structure and submitting financials regularly, meeting specific reporting standards and criteria on an ongoing basis following opening.
- Operational Stability and Infrastructure: Start-up co-ops must secure their store location for at least three years and commit to using a suitable POS system.
- Board Resolution and Additional Criteria: Start-up co-ops must provide a board resolution authorizing membership and be open to meeting any additional criteria set by NCG management.
Applicants must submit several materials to demonstrate their ability to meet these criteria.
How to Apply
NCG sets membership targets annually. Based on our current store development commitments, NCG will not be able to support a start-up co-op with a target opening date before January 1, 2025.
Start-up co-ops interested in applying for membership should submit their application and supporting materials a minimum of 9-12 months prior to their target opening date and before one of three application deadlines:
- January 1: NCG’s board reviews applications in April, for an effective member date of May 1
- June 1: NCG’s board reviews applications in September, for an effective member date of October 1
- October 1: NCG’s board reviews applications the following January, for an effective member date of February 1
For information about start-up resources, or to learn more about how NCG can support your start-up project, please contact startup@ncg.coop.