New improved member benefits are coming soon!

Members spoke, PCC listened, so, beginning in March, you’ll have new and improved member benefits, whether you just joined PCC or have been shopping here for years.

The first benefit is a monthly Member Appreciation Day, held on the 15th of each month — members will receive 10 percent off everything in the entire store. We’ll remind you of Member Appreciation Days by posting in the stores, on the website and in the Sound Consumer. To receive the discount, you’ll need to show your PCC membership card at the checkout stand. If you’ve lost your card, order a replacement. Just fill out the form in the store, or contact us via email at membership@pccmarkets.com.

Keep your PCC card with you to gain the perks of our Community Connections program. Participating local businesses are offering discounts, special deals and other extras exclusively to PCC members. Beginning March 1, a directory of all participating businesses will be available on PCC’s website or in the stores.

In the March Sound Consumer, look for the coupon insert, which is only mailed to PCC members. Every month, you’ll receive at least $10 worth of valuable coupons for items sold in our stores.

The many other PCC membership advantages will continue: numerous bargains on products throughout the store, free Natural Foods Kitchen classes and tours, discounts on FoodWorks classes and the Sound Consumer mailed to your home each month. And PCC continues to contribute to the community on your behalf through its support of local organic agriculture, local feed-the-hungry efforts and education around the nutritional and environmental issues that face all of us.

Your $60 membership makes a difference. This is our capital, a fund of money that helps us make improvements in our stores. The more member capital we have, the less we have to borrow from banks. Members use the services PCC offers and the money stays in our community, which benefits local, sustainable agriculture and consumer cooperation. In conventional business models, private investors who are intent on making a profit provide capital.

Member benefits at a glance

Member-only discount on monthly Member Appreciation Days: All shoppers benefit from our competitive pricing, but only members receive 10 percent off every-thing purchased on Member Appreciation Days, held on the 15th of each and every month starting in March.

Member-only coupons: Only members get these coupons — worth at least $10 each month — which are sent to your home via the Sound Consumer.

Free Natural Foods Kitchen class and tour: Every member is invited to take a free Natural Foods Kitchen class and tour.

Member-only discount on FoodWorks classes: Class topics in our acclaimed FoodWorks program range from ethnic and vegetarian cooking to making herbal soap.

Free Sound Consumer subscription sent to your home: Our 16-page news-letter is filled with the latest news on health, nutrition, the co-op and community events.

Eligibility to join AlaskaUSA Federal Credit Union: Services include free and low-cost checking accounts, credit cards, mortgage loans and investment and insurance plans.

Community connections: Businesses throughout our community provide discounts and special offers to PCC members. Starting in March, check the list on PCC’s website or in the stores, and be sure to keep your PCC card with you.

Locally owned by the consumer: Your $60 membership fee keeps operating costs down and ensures that PCC remains a community-owned business.

Membership investment is fully refundable, satisfaction guaranteed: Your $60 member investment in PCC is a one-time only, lifetime investment. If you move out of our area or are dissatisfied with your membership, your $60 will be refunded on request.

Website: PCC resources are at your finger-tips: class schedules, recipes, community partners and resource information on hot topics.

Consumer advocacy: Your membership supports fair trade, local and sustainable harvest products and helps us advocate our values to decision-makers.