re: Anyone here a member of a co-op?

It seems like pricing depends on the co-op structure, how established it is, and how big it is. From my experience co-ops where working is required for membership tend to have pricing that is significantly less than whole foods and for better products (probably because they are not paying salaries). For instance the Park Slope food co-op has great deals (but is also somewhat crazy). On the other hand I am a member of the New Orleans Food Co-Op, and I would love to support them more, but I hardly ever shop there because it's too expensive. The pre-ordering situation at the Savannah co-op is a bit like a CSA share. Those usually are a better deal than a place like whole foods.