by: Anch Bergeson, Olympia Food Co-op Board Member

The unofficial theme of The Co-op in 2026 thus far is fiscal mindfulness.

The Staff and Board are making efforts to trim our expenses, protect our earnings, and continue to uphold our goal of supporting our community, especially those in need. A lot of creative ideas are being discussed and implemented. Members can look forward to hearing more about our finances in the upcoming Annual Members’ Meeting in the Fall.

The Co-op’s Annual Membership Meeting date is set for Saturday, November 14, 2026. Mark your calendar!

Secretary of the Board Jennifern Falknor stepped into the Secretary position for the Board.

Many thanks to Jeni O’Connor, our previous Secretary, who also is our current Staff Rep to the Board.

Hiring Freeze Over the next 6 months (May-Oct.)

The OFC will pause accepting and reviewing of job applications. This is a labor-saving measure for the Interview Team, and it gives us more time to focus on working floor shifts and program development, rather than accepting and reviewing applications at a time when we are very unlikely to hire. This is also a budget-tightening measure.

We currently have applicants and finalists in our Collective (full-time) and Flex (part-time) staff candidate pools; these applications will remain on file. In October, we will assess our situation to determine whether to continue the hiring pause, or to resume accepting applications.

Pay-It-Forward Fundraiser

On May 23rd, a fundraiser dinner and concert was held to benefit the Pay-It-Forward program. Delicious food came from the Co-op (of course!), made by our talented volunteers & staff.

Co-op Collective member Monica Peabody led the whole event. Live music was by The Jessica Blinn Quartet, with Vince Brown on guitar and Lisa Seifert on clarinet. Our host provided their lovely home and a warm welcome. It was a great success, with wonderful conversation and dancing. Many of the attendees were from the Oly (Swing) Dance community.

Over $1500 was raised! Thanks to all who bought tickets, played music, made great food, and supported Pay-It-Forward.

The Olympia Food Co-op Pay-It-Forward Program is a mutual aid fund that supports our hungry neighbors through customer donations. Anyone can donate at our registers at either store.

The fund may be used to cover up to $20 per person per day.

Food Justice Campaign

What is food justice? It’s a food system where everyone has access to environmentally sustainable, safe, healthy and culturally appropriate foods, regardless of one’s national origin, economic statuses, social identities, cultural membership, or disability, and with an assurance that everyone who works within a food system, from restaurant servers to farm workers, should be paid livable and fair wages and work in safe conditions.

The Olympia Food Co-op has conducted its business with food justice in mind from its inception. It’s baked into our DNA and reflected in our Statement of Purpose. At the recommendation of the Advocacy Committee, the Board recently consented to put forward the Food Justice Campaign. We aim to let Thurston County know that our Food Justice priority makes us unique and special among grocery stores. This makes us a food option that has the values and positive impact on our community of food producers, consumers, and the environment.