How Membership Works
Saginaw Community Food Club is a nonprofit membership grocery store located at 310 Meredith St., Saginaw, MI, planned to open Fall 2026. Households pay a sliding-scale membership fee of $15–$25 for a 30-day period and shop using a points system, where fruits and vegetables carry the lowest point values and processed foods carry higher ones. Point allotments are sized by household size and cover approximately 9–11 days of groceries per 30-day membership period.
Overview
Saginaw Community Food Club is a nonprofit membership grocery store located at 310 Meredith St., Saginaw, MI 48601, with a planned opening of Fall 2026. It is modeled on Community Food Club, a program that originated in Grand Rapids in 2015 and became an independent nonprofit in 2018. The Saginaw location will join that statewide network and is the first Community Food Club location on the east side of Michigan.
The store is designed to be distinct from, and complementary to, emergency food resources. Its goal is to help member households achieve ongoing food security with the selection, service, convenience, and dignity of shopping in a quality grocery store.
Membership Fee
Access to the store is membership-based. Households pay a fee of $15 to $25 for a 30-day membership, set on a sliding scale that accounts for both household size and income. Membership fees are payable by cash or credit/debit card.
Households are not required to purchase a membership every month; they may choose which months fit their needs. Membership renewal is completed in person at the Membership Services Desk.
Income Verification and Documentation
To establish a membership, households must provide documentation to verify income. Accepted forms of documentation include:
- The last two pay stubs
- SSI or SSDI award letters
- Child support records
- Retirement benefit statements
- Other income documentation (such as a W-2 or tax return) accepted upon staff approval
Points System
Instead of traditional price tags, the store prices food in points. The point system is designed to incentivize healthier food choices:
- Fruits and vegetables carry the lowest point values
- Snacks and processed foods carry higher point values
Each household receives a monthly point allotment based on household size. According to the Food Club's FAQ, point allotments are sized to cover approximately 9 to 11 days of groceries over each 30-day membership period.
Points Allotment by Household Size
| Household Size | Points per Membership |
|---|---|
| 1 person | 60 points |
| 2 people | 90 points |
| 3 people | 100 points |
| 4 people | 120 points |
| 5 people | 130 points |
| 6–7 people | 150 points |
| 8+ people | 170 points |
What Members Can Purchase
Members may redeem points for fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh and frozen meat, dairy products, and dry or canned goods. Members select exactly what and how much they need rather than receiving a pre-packed box. Fresh produce is intentionally priced lower in points to make it the easy default choice.
Member Benefits Beyond Groceries
Membership includes access to a range of additional resources and programming:
- Nutrition education opportunities
- Cooking classes and workshops
- Connections to local community organizations and agencies
The store features demonstration kitchen stations, sponsored by BWell Saginaw partner organizations and the Junior League of the Great Lakes Bay Region, where members can learn to prepare and cook healthy foods on a budget. The Food Club is designed to function as a one-stop resource where a member can come for food and leave with a broader plan for food security.
Relationship to Emergency Food Resources
Saginaw Community Food Club is explicitly designed to complement, not compete with, existing food pantries and emergency food resources in the community. It is aimed at households seeking ongoing food security rather than those in immediate emergency need.
Location and Contact
- Address: 310 Meredith St., Saginaw, MI 48601
- Phone: (989) 529-3275
- Planned Opening: Fall 2026
- Website: saginawfoodclub.org