Member Volunteer Program
The Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op is committed to supporting the community by being a leader among local businesses and cooperatives nationally, as stated in its Global Ends Statement. Partnering with organizations whose work aligns with that commitment helps the Co-op fulfill this goal.
General Guidelines
The Co-op’s Member Volunteer Program provides qualifying members with a discount when they volunteer their time with specific Community Outreach Partners. In order to be eligible for the Member Volunteer Program, Co-op members must have signed and submitted a volunteer agreement and keep their equity current to ensure discounts are received and membership benefits remain intact.
Member volunteers who participate will be able to earn up to two coupons every month. Coupons are based on how many hours are volunteered at the organization, 3 hours equals one coupon and 6+ hours equals two coupons. Each coupon (up to two) will generate for the next month, and each coupon can be used to receive a 20% discount on a single transaction. For example, if you volunteer 3 hours in February, you’ll receive a credit for one 20% discount coupon in March. If you volunteer 6 hours in February, you’ll receive two credits and two 20% discount coupons in March. (These coupons cannot be combined with any other discounts or promotions.)
Member volunteers must sign up in advance for available opportunities through the partner organizations.
Member volunteers are responsible for complying with all rules and any onboarding and training processes provided by our partners. Our partners also reserve the right to dismiss any volunteers who are not a good fit, not able to perform the work required or for not complying with rules or guidelines.
Member volunteer credits will not accrue.
Volunteers will sign up through our partner organizations websites.
Our partner organization sites will submit a roster to the Co-op Member Administrator at the end of each month for coupons to be activated. (Please note, volunteer shifts completed on the final days of the month will be activated in the first week of the following month.)
Coupons are valid for one month only. Unredeemed coupons will be forfeited.
Organizations We Work With:
CommuniCare Health Centers
Established in 2023, CommuniCare+OLE is a union of two health centers with deep roots in their respective communities with reputations for providing high-quality primary care to patients and clients.: OLE Health of Napa and Solano Counties, and CommuniCare Health Centers of Yolo County.
Building on a legacy established by each organization in 1972, CommuniCare+OLE is a network of federally-qualified health centers with 17 sites across Napa, Solano, and Yolo Counties. It offers comprehensive care, including medical, dental, behavioral health and substance use treatment, nutrition, optometry, pharmacy, care coordination, referrals, and enrollment assistance to more than 70,000 individuals, and no one is turned away due to lack of insurance, immigration status, or ability to pay. Many services are offered outside of its sites, including mobile health, home visiting, and community and school-based programs.
River City Food Bank
River City Food Bank distributes emergency food to over 15,000 neighbors in need each month. Hundreds of volunteers help make it possible! Volunteers prep and distribute food to the guests at two locations, one in Midtown right across 28th Street from the Co-op, and one at St Matthews in the Arden-Arcade neighborhood.
Alchemist CDC
Alchemist CDC is a mission-driven organization that connects Sacramento area communities to land, food, and opportunity toward a vision in which all neighborhoods are vibrant, equitable, healthy, and diverse. Volunteer Opportunities may include farm workdays, community fruit gleaning, Farmer's Market CalFresh booth assistance, or other opportunities.
NeighborWorks Community Farmers Market
The NeighborWorks Sacramento Community Farmers Market at Oak Park runs on Sunday mornings from May through October and is located at McClatchy Park (35th Street and 5th Avenue). The Farmers Market provides fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy food to the surrounding areas residents and contributes our mission of “Safe Secure Sustain” to foster a space of community engagement through partnerships with local farmers, artists, and businesses with a focus on wellness, healthy food, art, and culture. By volunteering, you will be supporting the thriving Oak Park community to expand food access, promote the local economy, and reduce food insecurity. The market is held every Sunday, May 1st - October 30th with shifts ranging from 7 am to 2 pm.
Expectations of Member Volunteers:
- Follow the expectations and direction of the crew at the volunteer site.
- Work safely and efficiently and ask questions whenever in doubt or when extra help is needed.
- Member volunteers will not park in the Co-op parking lot when participating in volunteer activities.
- The Co-op and volunteer sites cannot be responsible for personal belongings that volunteers bring with them and can’t provide storage space for such
- All interactions should be appropriate to a professional business setting and free from harassing behavior. Harassment of customers, clients, workers or fellow volunteers is unacceptable and will result in immediate expulsion from the program
- Cancellations should be made directly through our partner organizations.
- Failure to attend more than 2 scheduled opportunities may result in a 6-month suspension or expulsion from the program.
- Each volunteer site may have an additional volunteer agreement that Co-op member volunteers will be expected to sign before work begins.
- The Co-op and its community partners reserve the right to refuse to offer opportunities to any Member Volunteer at any time.
- The Co-op reserves the right to make changes to the Member Volunteer Program as necessary.
If you’re interested in participating in the Member Volunteer Program, please complete the form below.