To test whether small cooperatives can offset economies of scale through volunteer labour inputs, prices charged at five small coops using volunteers and five large coop branches with paid staff were compared with prices at nearby commercial supermarkets. There were more low prices at the smaller coops than at the larger coops and coop shoppers received best values on whole and unprocessed foods and the least price benefits for processed and convenience foods. In interpreting these results, the lesser amount of convenience, the limited product selection, and the work requirement at the smaller cooperatives must be considered.