Join Us by Becoming a Member Owner Today!

NOTE: Complete the Member Application (click tab 'Member Owner Application' and fill out information before submitting payment. Thank you!)

Founding Members: $100.00 paid in full.

Supporting Members: $25.00 as a first payment with additional payments of $25, preferably monthly, until the total of $100 is paid in full. Membership payments may be paid at any time but must be paid in full at the end of 1 year from the initial payment.

Our Concept

Fertile Ground Food Cooperative (FGFC) is a SE Raleigh-based multi-stakeholder cooperative that highlights the community’s entrepreneurial spirit, helps create pathways to living-wage jobs, increases access to healthy/affordable food, and fosters collective ownership.

Membership Means Ownership

Membership dollars are needed to develop the cooperative. A  $100 founding member investment  purchases one share of common stock in Fertile Ground Food Cooperative and provides members with the following benefits: joining a movement to create a local business in SE Raleigh dedicated to providing access to healthy food; the right to vote in elections and run for a seat on the board of directors; and financial benefits upon store opening such as: member specials, case lot discounts on special orders, possible patronage refunds during profitable years, and member-owner discounts on classes or workshops held at Fertile Ground Food Cooperative. Membership is subject to terms and conditions set forth in the Bylaws of Fertile Ground Food Cooperative, which are currently under consideration.

General Release and Waiver of Liability

All funds governed by this agreement are subject to risks inherent in a start-up enterprise and such risks may result in the loss of part or all of such funds.  Memberships dollars received during this Founding Member campaign in excess of costs associated with the preparation of a feasibility study, business plan, and other administrative costs associated with startup, including community meetings and other marketing events, shall be escrowed until Fertile Ground Food Cooperative is capitalized in a manner acceptable to the Board of Directors.  In the event Fertile Ground Food Cooperative is unable to meet its fundraising goals or the concept is not deemed feasible by the Board of Directors, Founding Members will receive a pro-rata refund of any investment made in excess of startup costs. The Board of Directors shall keep a record of all Founding Membership shares sold, gifts, or donations, and shall provide an accounting of such monies to any member upon written request.  

THE OFFER AND SALE OF THE COMMON STOCK DESCRIBED HEREIN IS NOT BEING REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNDER ANY STATE’S SECURITIES ACTS IN RELIANCE UPON AVAILABLE EXEMPTIONS FROM SUCH ACTS’ REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS.  STOCK PURCHASED HEREUNDER MAY BE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON SALE, TRANSFER, HYPOTHECATION OR OTHERWISE.  THE STOCK HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, AND NO SUCH COMMISSION HAS PASSED UPON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THE STOCK OR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE OFFERING CIRCULAR.  ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.