2025 Patronage Dividends

It’s Patronage Dividend Time!

When a cooperative realizes a profit, IRS tax code allows it to return a portion of that profit back to the Member-Owners and therefore reduce its tax obligation.

We are happy to announce that 2025 was another profitable year for our Co-op and we can once again issue patronage dividends this fall. Just as a reminder, patronage dividends are based on previous year performance, so this whole conversation is about 2025. We will not be discussing 2026 performance until the fall of 2027.

In 2025, our Co-op realized a net income of $101,039.

Our accountant recommended, and our Board approved, a patronage dividend dispersal of $16,638, based on this 2025 net income.

This will be divided between 4,632 Member-Owners who shopped at the Co-op in 2025. This will be dispersed based on each Member-Owner's total Co-op purchases in 2025. Some will receive only a few cents while others will receive upwards of $40.00. This dividend is not taxable for you.

You are welcome to take this dividend. It is your reward for your support of our Co-op. When you give your Member-Owner number at the check-out, the cashier will let you know if you have a patronage dividend available and ask if you would like to apply it to your purchase.

If your dividend is $5.00 or more, you are welcome to ask for a check instead of a register discount. Just decline the discount at the register and email info@portlandfood.coop.

This year, we are asking folks to consider donating their discount to the India Street Neighborhood Association. This is the neighborhood our Co-op is located in. The India Street Neighborhood Association strives to foster a sense of community and to enhance the quality of life for all who live and work in our neighborhood. They share information, promote neighborhood gatherings, collaborate with other neighborhood organizations, and advocate to municipal government.

If you would like to donate your dividend to the India Street Neighborhood Association, all you need to do is to decline taking it as a register discount.

You have until December 20th, 2026, to claim your dividend. All dividends not claimed at that time will be donated to the India Street Neighborhood Association.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our Co-op. We truly are stronger together.

In Cooperation, John Crane

General Manager