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Rainbow
Whole Foods Co-operative
2807 Old Canton Road Jackson, MS
39216 1.601.366.1602
9AM to 7PM MONDAY - SATURDAY, 12PM to 6PM SUNDAY Old Canton Road and Lakeland Drive, just north of the UMC complex. |
About
Us |
![cukedog](images/cukedog75oval.gif "CukeDog says, 'Thanks for shopping at Rainbow \
Whole Foods Co-operative Grocery!'")
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About Us
Mission Statement | Bylaws | Minutes of Meetings | Our Story | Memberships | Meetings | Our Managers | Board of Directors | What's a Co-op?Our Managers
 Steve - General Manager |
 Bethany - Assistant Mgr - Supplements Mgr |
 Bruce - Finance Manager |
 Mike - Grocery Manager |
 Todd - Café Manager |
 Amy - Produce Manager |
 Bexx - Cold Goods Manager |
 Sandra - Health & Beauty Aids Manager |
 Katherine - Bulk Manager |
 Daniel - Community Outreach |
 Susan - Customer Service Manager |
 Elli - High Noon Chef |
Mission Statement:
We are a member owned and operated consumer cooperative dedicated to providing natural and organic products and services that promote health awareness, a clean environment, and a strong community; at the lowest possible cost.
Rainbow supports the principles adopted by the International Cooperative Alliance
About Us
Rainbow Whole Foods, Inc. A. A. L., is a co-operative grocery, cafe, and deli, established in 1980 and democratically controlled. Rainbow is dedicated to providing high quality, wholesome foods at reasonable prices. Anyone can shop with us, member or non-member. Membership is open to all.
Rainbow Whole Foods, Inc. A.A.L., is governed by a Board of Directors elected by, and accountable to, its members. Day-to-day operations are the responsibility of the management and staff. All profits are returned to the store as capital/inventory improvements. An email newsletter is published daily to keep members in touch with store happenings and to impart new information on natural living. Everyone who shops at the store is encouraged to discuss concerns or suggestions with board members, staff, or management.
Through our purchase and sales policies, we seek to promote health and well-being for our members and the larger community by making available inexpensive, nutritional products that nourish the body and promote good stewardship of the earth's resources. The store emphasizes high quality, organic products (i.e. grown without agricultural chemicals such as pesticides and synthetic fertilizers).
We also feature foods that are processed naturally (no artificial colors, flavors, or additives) and that make use of sweeteners and seasonings such as grain malts and syrups, honey, maple syrup, fruit juices, sea salt, herbs, and spices. Preference is given to producers and growers who demonstrate humane and ethical business practices.
These purchase policies not only intend to help ensure a safe, healthy food supply for everyone, but also to contribute to a cleaner environment with less ground water and air pollution. As well as buying form local growers whenever possible, Rainbow also supports local artists and craftspeople, citywide events including health fairs and WellsFest, and community efforts such as recycling that are beneficial to the environment.
Memberships
Rainbow Whole Foods is owned by its members. Everyone is welcome
to shop at Rainbow and High Noon Cafe. Members get discounts.
Members simply show their valid
membership card at the checkout. Non-members pay the already low
retail shelf prices as marked on the product and are not
eligible for the members-only deep discounts and other
member/owner benefits. Memberships are not transferable.
Members are eligible for:
- Members-only deep discount (20% or more)- Specials advertised all around the store in every department and marked on the products.
- Member Appreciation Discount Days - Members get a 10% discount on all their purchases, even sale items, once every 3 months.
- Member Monthly Discount - $2.00 per month discount on any one purchase of $10.00 or more. Just have your card punched at the checkout. This discount all but pays for your single yearly membership dues.
- Senior/Student Monthly Discount - 10% of any one purchase one day per month. Just have your card punched at the checkout.
Yearly membership fees are:
Single (1 card) membership-----------------$25.00
Family (Multiple card) membership----------$40.00
Lifetime membership (one time fee)---------$200.00
Senior Citizen-----------------------------no charge
Student (with valid ID)--------------------no charge
Commercial membership--------------------$75.00
Benefits of membership include:
- lower prices
- a voice in Rainbow's growth and development
- a vote at the annual meeting
- an effective way to support natural products and healthy lifestyles
- a place to share common interests and concerns
Members contribute to the cooperative spirit by:
- buying often at the store
- attending the annual meeting
- giving ideas and suggestions to the staff and board members
- cleaning up spills
- helping other shoppers by answering questions or lending a hand
Board of Directors
Rainbow's Board of Directors is composed of 7 members
elected by the membership at our annual meeting and exists to
use and protect member resources to the improvement of their
lives - the most benefits to the largest number of members at
the least cost. The board makes policy decisions directing Co-op
activities, monitors the performance of the Co-op for its
member/owners, and communicates with the membership.
Board of Directors meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of each
month at 5:30PM in the High Noon Cafe at the store: 2807 Old
Canton Road, Jackson, MS 39216. Board members are required to
attend all monthly board meetings. Members are encouraged to
attend monthly board meetings. If you have a topic to bring
before the board, please email the board at mailto:board@rainbowcoop.org,
contact the board president by calling the store, or leave a
message with the Customer Service desk so your topic can be
placed on the agenda. The first 15 minutes or so of every board
meeting is reserved for member input.
The minutes of each meeting are presented to the Board of Directors for approval, at the next month's regular meeting, before being posted here. Thus all minutes posted on our website are at least one month old.
Board of Directors
Rainbow Whole Foods Inc.
mailto:board@rainbowcoop.org
Meetings
Board of Directors meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 5:30PM in the High Noon Cafe at the store - 2807 Old Canton Road, Jackson, MS 39216.
Annual Membership meetings are held between March 1st and May 30th, usually in April at the Lefleur's Bluff Park in Jackson. The exact date each year is posted in the store, put in the newsletter, posted on the website, and sent by postcard to each member.
Members are encouraged to attend monthly and annual meetings. If
you have a topic to bring before a meeting, please contact the
board president or one of the board members so your topic can be
placed on the agenda. The names of current board members
are located in the grocery store at the information booth.
Board of Directors
Rainbow Whole Foods Inc.
mailto:board@rainbowcoop.org
The minutes of each monthly, annual, and special meetings are presented to the Board of Directors for approval, at the next month's regular meeting, before being posted here. Thus all minutes posted on our website are at least one month old.
What's A Co-op?
International Cooperative Alliance
The International Cooperative Alliance , established in 1895, is considered to be the final authority for defining cooperatives and the principles by which they operate. The organization has made three formal statements of cooperative principles over the past 100 years in an effort to keep them relevant to the contemporary world. At its 100th anniversary meeting in September, 1995 in Manchester, England, the Alliance adopted the following "Statement of Cooperative Identity."
ICA Statement of Cooperative Identity
Definition
A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically controlled enterprise.
Values
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.
Principles
These seven cooperative principles are guidelines by which
cooperatives put their values into practice:
1. Voluntary and Open Membership
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all
persons able to use their services and willing to accept the
responsibilities of membership, without gender, social,
racial, political, or religious discrimination.
2. Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by
their members, who actively participate in setting their
policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as
elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In
primary cooperatives members have equal voting rights (one
member, one vote), and cooperatives at other levels are also
organized in a democratic manner.
3. Member Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control,
the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that
capital is usually the common property of the cooperative.
Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on
capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members
allocate surpluses for any of the following purposes:
developing their cooperative, possibly by setting up
reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible;
benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with
the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by
the membership.
4. Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations
controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements
with other organizations, including governments, or raise
capital from external sources, they do so on terms that
ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their
cooperative autonomy.
5. Education, Training and Information
Cooperatives provide education and training for their
members, elected representatives, managers, and staff so
they can contribute effectively to the development of their
cooperatives. They inform the general public - particularly
young people and opinion leaders - about the nature and
benefits of cooperation.
6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and
strengthen the cooperative movement by working together
through local, national, regional, and international
structures.
7. Concern for Community
Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their
communities, through policies approved by their members.
