Patronage Refund

A Snapshot of 2011 Patronage

• Member purchases totaled almost 50% of sales in Fiscal Year 2011.
• The total Patronage Dividend is $1,017,754.
• The Board agreed to distribute 60% of the Dividend in cash.
• Patronage Refund checks will be mailed to over 6,230 members.
• These checks will recirculate $610,652 back into our local economy.
• The average 2011 Patronage Refund check is $98.
• Over 4 cents of every $1 eligible members spent is being refunded.

Basic Information on the Patronage Refund
Individual patronage checks are a refund on profit relative to your member purchases when your equity is current. In 2011, patronage checks totaling $610,652 will be issued to over 6,200 members, with an average member check of $98. Please note that the IRS allows the patronage refund as non-taxable income for individuals! Please make sure to present our cashiers with your patronage card every time you shop at City Market!

Options for your 2011 Patronage Refund Check:

1. Enjoy it! Cash or deposit your check within 90 days (by February 10, 2012).
2. Pay equity.  Apply your check to your  remaining equity balance (detailed information included with your check). Members continue to have the option to pay toward a full equity share of $200 in annual installments of $15. If you choose to return your check to apply toward your equity, please endorse the back of the check "Payable to Onion River Co-op" and include your completed "Donation & Equity Coupon" that was enclosed with your check. The deadline for this option is Friday, February 3, 2012.
3. Donate to Eradicate Childhood Hunger. Help us combat food insecurity by donating your Patronage Refund to Hunger Free Vermont (HFVT). You can donate directly to HFVT or you can simply return your check to us and we'll donate it for you. Please endorse the back of the check "Payable to Onion River Co-op" and include your completed "Donation & Equity Coupon" that was enclosed with your check. The deadline for this option is Friday, February 3, 2012. If you'd like to donate directly to HFVT, you can make a tax-deductible donation online at www.hungerfreevt.org/do/donation using your credit card. You can also call 802-865-0255 or mail your check, payable to Hunger Free VT (with “City Market Patronage” in the memo), 38 Eastwood Drive, Suite 100, South Burlington, VT 05403.
4. Donate to Strengthen the Local Food System. Members voted recently to update the Co-op's By-Laws. As a result, when members don't cash their Patronage Refund checks, we automatically donate the funds to organizations working to strengthen the local food system. This year, the funds donated through uncashed Patronage Refund checks will go to the Intervale Farmers' Equipment Corporation. Farmers in Burlington's Intervale use this equipment cooperative to more efficiently and economically purchase and share large equipment and infrastructure. This year, the donations will ease the financial burdes on member farms after the devastating spring flooding and tropical storm Irene. In addition, the cooperative will be outfitting a heated shop space in the former Intervale Compost Products building to better maintain equipment and increase efficiency of farming operations. Members wishing to exercise this donation option should simply do nothing (really, just don't cash that check).

Thank you for your continued support of the Co-op! Your patronage allows us to be successful and allows us to partner with local food producers and community organizations to eradicate childhood hunger and strengthen our local food systems.