MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
DISTRIBUTOR
Thank you for your interest in joining the Fifth Season Cooperative! To begin the application process,
complete the form below. The Board of Directors reviews each application. A staff member will contact
you once your application has been processed to finalize membership and discuss your equity
contribution. Please note that submitting a membership application does not guarantee membership.
Please return all applications to:
Jamie Deaver
Office Manager
Fifth Season Cooperative
1201 N Main St ~ Suite 9
Viroqua, WI 54665
(608) 638 COOP
Business Name
____________________________________________________________________________
Business Address
____________________________________________________________________________
City
_________________________________________
State ______________ Zip____________________
Representative Name
___________________________________________
Business Phone ______________________________
Phone (other) ________________________________
Email ______________________________________
Website ___________________________________
1) Please describe your current distribution business. What is your delivery range? (Cities accessed)
What types of products does your business deliver?
2) Can you provide refrigerated delivery?
Yes
No
3) Can you provide frozen delivery?
Yes
No
4) Why is your business interested in becoming a member of the Fifth Season Cooperative and how will
it benefit your business?
5) List any liability insurance coverage (including coverage limits) your business carries, both general
and product-related.
6) List all certifications and/or licenses your company carries relating to warehousing and distribution.
7) The cooperative believes that all members work together to create the whole. By working together
to accomplish our goals, we help each other. Through the formation of the Fifth Season Cooperative,
we work together to extend or increase many things in our region: the amount of locally produced
food that is consumed locally, the times of the year that people can enjoy this local food, the
connection between producers and consumers, and the income farmers can generate from their
businesses. Please tell us if this belief will be a good fit for your business, and why.
By submitting this application I affirm that all statements made about my business in this application are
true, correct and complete and I have given a truthful representation of my operation, practices, and
origin of products.
Signed_________________________________
Representative Title___________________________________
Date_______________
Thank you for completing this application. You will hear from us shortly.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND FILES
WHAT FIFTH SEASON PROVIDES FOR ITS MEMBERS
Fifth Season will help our producer/processor members to market local produce, meat, egg, and dairy
products. We will work with buyer members to develop initial projects and ongoing efforts when
incorporate local and sustainable foods into food service operations. Our services include:
Buyers:
SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT FOR LOCAL FOOD PURCHASING
ACCESS TO A GROWING LIST OF LOCAL FARMERS,
PROCESSORS AND VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS
INFORMATION ON SEASONAL AVAILABILITY
OF PRODUCTS IN YOUR REGION
SIMPLE ORDER, INVOICE AND DELIVERY SYSTEMS
MARKETING ASSISTANCE AND MATERIALS SUCH AS PRODUCT INFORMATION AND FARMER PICTURES
AND STORIES
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ON NUTRITION, LOCAL FOODS AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
ASSISTANCE WITH LOCAL SOURCING QUESTIONS RELATED TO INSURANCE, FOOD SAFETY, MENU
PLANNING AND RECIPES
Producers and Processors:
PRODUCTS PROMOTED TO OUR BUYERS AND THROUGH OUR DITRIBUTOR
FARMS AND PROCESSORS PROMOTED TO ALL BUYERS MAINTAINING PRODUCT IDENTITY AND
INTEGRITY
A FAIR PRICE TO ALL MEMBERS FROM THE PRODUCER TO THE BUYER
LIABILITY INSURANCE UMBRELLA AND PRODUCT QUALITY ASSURANCE PROCESS THROUGH REINHART
FOODSERVICE, LA CROSSE
EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROMOTED AND MADE AVAILABLE TO PROCESSOR AND PRODUCER
MEMBERS THROUGH THE COOPERATIVE
PROMOTION AND EDUCATION ON LOCAL, SUSTAINABLE FOODS TO THE COMMUNITIES AT LARGE
A SOLID WHOLESALE MARKET FOR LOCAL/REGIONAL PRODUCTS
Membership Classes/ ONE TIME Class A Membership Fees
The membership fee is a one-time fee to the cooperative. A $25 voting share included in the
membership fee shall be refunded upon withdrawal from the cooperative.
Membership fees must be paid in full within 1 calendar year from acceptance into the cooperative.
Your $25 voting share must be paid to submit your application to the Board of Directors for approval.
Producers $250.00
Growers in the region who sell produce, fruit, or eggs
Producer Groups $750.00
Agricultural businesses in the region that aggregate and sell produce, fruit, or eggs.
Processors $750.00
Businesses from the region that make value-added products (dairy, meats, dry goods, refrigerated and
frozen goods)
Distributors $750.00
Businesses from the region that transport agricultural products
Workers $250.00
Employees who contribute to the Co-op’s success through their labor
Class A Buyers; required to make minimum purchases per calendar year and apply to the
cooperative.
Institutions and foodservice operations within the region, which purchase product from the Co-op,
under a Class A voting membership.
Buyer Pool; no requirements, no formal membership in the cooperative
A cooperative, or co-op, is a business that is owned and controlled by its users or members and that
distributes benefits to its members based on use often in the form of patronage earnings or
dividends. Cooperatives are typically governed by a member-elected board of directors that
represents the interests of the members in decision making. Cooperatives are based on the values of
self-help, self-responsibility, democracy and equality, equity and solidarity and abide by seven
cooperative principles:
1) Voluntary and open membership
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to
accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious
discrimination.
2) Democratic member control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in
setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are
accountable to the membership.
3) Member economic participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of the cooperative. The
economic benefits of a cooperative operation are returned to the members, reinvested in the co-op, or
used to provide member services.
4) Autonomy and independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into
agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources,
they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative
autonomy.
5) Education, training, and information
Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers
and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They
inform the general public about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
6) Cooperation among cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by
working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
7) Concern for community
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their
communities through policies approved by their members.
Member Rights
♦ Vote in board elections or on ballots
♦ Attend annual and special meetings
♦ Run for a position on the board of directors or serve on committees
Member Responsibilities
♦ Contribute to the Co-op’s capital by purchasing membership shares
♦ Patronize the Co-op
♦ Know and understand the criteria for participation, product standards, bylaws, and policies of the Coop
♦ Participate in educational activities mandated by the board of directors or product committees
♦ Keep current on the activities and actions of the Co-0p, attend annual and special meetings, vote in
elections, and respond to surveys
♦ Participate in committee work
♦ Share experience and provide member-to-member education as requested
♦ Promote the Co-op and encourage others to become members
♦ Contact local, state, and federal representatives on issues related to the Co-op’s mission
Membership
i. Producer - A grower who sells product through the Co-op which meets the Co-op’s most recent
product standards, and is located within the 7 Rivers region. If a product cannot be produced to
established quality standards by current Co-op members within the 7 Rivers region, the board may
offer membership to an eligible producer within the region (as defined by the board of directors). A
grower is eligible for membership as a “Producer Member” upon:
1)
2)
3)
4)
Purchase of one share of Class A membership stock.
Payment of any producer fees, as determined by the board of directors.
Compliance with all equity requirements of the Co-op.
Maintenance of active status. Producer members must deliver product through the Co-op at
least once during the calendar year.
5) Executing a membership agreement with the Fifth Season Cooperative.