Co-op Policies and Bylaws

You can find the most current copies of the Co-op’s Bylaws here and governance policies here. These can be viewed with Acrobat Reader. (If you do not have Acrobat Reader, you may download a free copy from Adobe.) Our Ends Policy can be found below.

Ends Policies – What are they?

Our Board of Directors governs our business using Policy Governance. These are a set of policies that shape our business. There are several types of policies, but the most important of these policies is called the Ends; or Global Ends or Ends Policy. This policy is essentially the vision for our Co-op, what the Board expects the manager that they have hired and oversee to work towards, and what our General Manager uses as a guideline everyday for the work that we do here. This statement is our Co-op’s mission – it’s why we exist, who we exist for, and what the outcomes of our work should be.  Everything we do should relate to this statement. If it doesn’t tie out to our Ends Policy – well, we probably shouldn’t be doing it!

Here’s what our Ends say:

The Sacramento Natural Foods Cooperative

  1. Is the destination of choice in the Sacramento area for high-quality, healthy foods, with an emphasis on locally-grown and regionally produced, organic, and ecologically sound products.
  2. Is a financially sustainable operation that supports and yields economic, social and environmental returns to its members and the community at large.

  3. Works to engage consumers in higher levels of participation in the Co-op.

  4. Supports the community by:
    a) Being a leader among local businesses & cooperatives nationally.
    b) Educating its consumer base about food, food-related issues, health and the environment.
    c) Supporting the greater network of local farmers & regional production systems that emphasize seasonal availability.
    d) Being a superior and highly sought-out workplace that promotes excellence, diversity and inclusion and fosters opportunities for participation, empowerment and growth.

This statement was adopted by the Board of Directors in March of 2017. This statement was modified and expanded after the Board created a task force to research Ends Policies from other Co-ops as well as incorporating member feedback on what we want our cooperative to be now and in the future.