Roots and Rewards
For the first time ever, the Iowa Food Cooperative is offering a tiered membership program designed to bring you closer to the producers and community you love. Help us help small, local farms and food producers by joining our enhanced membership tiers! Whether you’re a casual shopper or a dedicated local food champion, there’s a level for you. Each tier includes all benefits named plus those of the lower tiers, see the chart at the bottom of the page for easy comparison.
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Please note: member rewards will go into effect October 1st, 2025. If you pay now, you are prepaying for member perks. These member rewards are only available for a limited time. Lock in your rewards for the next year today!
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GoFundMe Campaign
If you’re not interested in being a member at this time, or you would like to donate to help us restructure in addition to your member fee, we would appreciate your donation to our GoFundMe campaign! These donations will go toward software development for the membership changes, hiring additional staff for expansion, and general expenses as we make these changes after the loss of grant funding earlier this year.
Membership Tiers
$50
$10 annual renewal
Before joining as a higher tier member, you need a basic IFC membership on our website.
Basic membership fees are paid with your third order at the co-op, after the 2-cycle trial period. We offer FREE memberships for EBT card holders! Already a member and not looking to upgrade? You’re good to go!
$250
annually
Our Community Cultivator tier gives you a discount on order fees and a special welcome gift. We’ll also give you a shout out on our website for your contribution to our community!
$500
annually
Our Sustaining Steward tier shows you a look behind the scenes with tours of our producer members’ farms and meet the maker experiences, plus a co-op tote bag for your groceries!
$1000
annually
Our Farmer’s Friend tier gives you the ultimate co-op experience with exclusive merch, first access to online shopping, and giftable memberships so you can spread the love to your favorite local foodies!
Additional Information
Why does IFC charge customers a 15% fee?
The 15% supports IFC staff and infrastructure. At the Iowa Food Co-op, producers receive 68.5¢ for each dollar spent, versus 15.5¢ at a traditional grocery store. Our goal is to return as much money as we can to the producer.Â
What is included in your basic $50 membership fee? Â
Be part of a food community
- Easy access to 100+ producers across Iowa
- Know your farmer, know your food and feel better about what you eat
- Friendly customer service-Â our staff cares about you!
Shop from the comfort of home year-round
- Online shopping makes finding what you want simple
- Shop local produce, dairy, meat, snacks, and more even when the farmer’s market is closed
- Home delivery available, or convenient pickup at our store or one of our satellite locations
Eco-friendly practices
- Our model is very low waste! We move products quickly and strive for minimal packaging
- Onsite composting service available
- Support small farmers that nurture the environment for a better Iowa
If I invest in local foods by increasing my membership level, how does it affect the 15% fee for basic members?Â
- $1000 Farmers Friend : No co-op fee.
- $500 Sustaining Steward: 5% fee.
- $250 Community Cultivator: 10% fee.
- $50 Basic Members: 15% fee
What’s included in the monthly member-only experiences?
Depending on your membership level, you’ll get invites to unique experiences like chef-led farm-to-table dinner and behind-the-scenes farm tours. These are designed to bring you closer to the land, the food, and the people who make IFC so special!
Will my shopping schedule change if I upgrade?
While our bi-weekly shopping cycle will stay the same for all members, our highest tier supporters, Farmer’s Friends, will get First Look Shopping Access, allowing you to browse and purchase before the general shopping window opens.
Will my membership auto-renew?
Not at this time. We’ll remind you when it’s time to renew, and you can choose to continue at your current level or adjust based on your needs.
How will I be recognized as a higher-level member?
Higher-tier members receive recognition in-store and on our website. Plus, you’ll receive exclusive swag like branded shopping bags and custom IFC yard signs (depending on tier).
How does my upgraded membership support the co-op?
Your upgraded membership directly supports local producers, helps cover operating costs, and allows IFC to host educational events and experiences that grow our vibrant food community.
