2024 Patronage Refund

PATRONAGE REFUND REDEMPTION EXPIRATION DATE: FEBRUARY 14, 2026

Congratulations GreenStar Members!

Thank you for making 2024 a great year for GreenStar! Thanks to your support we are able to issue your Co-op’s first ever Patronage Refund!

Redeem your patronage refund as store credit when making a purchase at any GreenStar store. Please note that GreenStar members who spent at least $424 in 2024 are eligible for a refund.

Please be sure to bring your photo ID, so we can verify we are distributing the refund to the correct person.

What are Patronage Refunds? 

IRS rules in the U.S. allow for GreenStar to return some of its annual pre-tax earnings to member-owners based on the amount each owner spent at the Co-op during the year. This is not a donation or gift, this is a return on your patronage in 2024. The more you spent at GreenStar, the larger your patronage refund. When you redeem your patronage refund there is an income tax benefit to GreenStar as any refunds not redeemed by February 14, 2026 will have to be reported as taxable income next year. Please redeem your Patronage Refund as soon as possible – it helps your Co-op!

This is an important moment! The patronage refund system was approved by GreenStar membership in 2017, but this is the first year we have been able to issue them. Thank you to Council for their thoughtful leadership, and thank you to Co-op staff for their hard work to make the operations successful. And again, thank you for supporting this community institution!

How Can You Redeem Your Refund?

PATRONAGE REFUND REDEMPTION EXPIRATION DATE: FEBRUARY 14, 2026

We are happy for you to use your refund as Store Credit on a purchase made at any GreenStar store location. Alternatively, you may donate your refund to GreenStar’s Solidarity Fund or request your refund as a check that will be mailed to you.

Communications about Patronage Refund:

• Email: Members who are eligible for a refund and who have an email address on file with GreenStar were sent an email notification on September 15, 2025 through Constant Contact with personal patronage refund details. If you believe you should have received an email and it is not in your inbox, please check your Junk or Spam folder and search Patronage Refund. If you have previously unsubscribed from GreenStar’s Constant Contact communications, you would not be able to receive this email. If you would like a copy of your personal Patronage Refund details, please email us your request at patronagerefund@greenstar.coop. Please also let us know if you would like to subscribe or re-subscribe to receive GreenStar emails, and we will email you the invitation to subscribe.
• Signage: You may notice in-store signage at the entrance and registers notifying members that Patronage Refunds are available. 

Questions?

Email patronagerefund@greenstar.coop or call the Membership Department at 607.273.9392

When the Co-op succeeds our community benefits!

$311,825 in profits were generated this is the Co-op’s taxable earnings

$220,200 of these profits came from member-owner purchases this is about 71% of profits

80% is the allocation of profits to be retained as co-op owner equity (as determined by Council)

20% is the allocation of profits to be paid as patronage refunds (as determined by Council)

$42,291.56 is the total patronage refund being paid out (member-owners who spent at least $424 at the Co-op in 2024 receive a refund)

7,216 member-owners are receiving a patronage refund (member-owners who spent at least $424 at the Co-op receive a refund)