Rising Tide is a cooperatively owned business, governed by its member/owners.  Rising Tide operates for the mutual benefit of all member/owners.  When people need something they can’t get easily or at a reasonable cost, they can start a co-op to get it.  Cooperation is a powerful tool to help communities meet local needs.

Co-ops cultivate sustainable development on a human scale, and provide consumers with housing, health care, day care, elder services, electricity and even banking services (credit unions) as well as food.  International Co-op Principles guide co-ops to get these products and build connections with producers and vendors.

Thanks to those efforts we have a thriving organic and natural food industry.  Food co-ops are changing the way Americans look at food and farming.

Co-op Member/Owners have certain rights and responsibilities such as:

• Electing the Board of Directors
• Reviewing reports on financial performance at the annual meeting and in the newsletter
• Running for the board of directors (unless employed by the co-op)
• Voting for changes in the articles and bylaws as proposed by the Board of Directors
• Attending Board meetings
• Participating in occasional member surveys