Archives of the Olympia Food Co-op Blog of 2010 – 2015
Finance Report First Quarter 2020 & Beyond
by Jill Lieseke, Staff Member
First quarter ending on March 31 brought so many changes to our Co-op and our world. These are challenging times; the impact being felt the world over. Similar to other years, our 1 st Q ... More »
First quarter ending on March 31 brought so many changes to our Co-op and our world. These are challenging times; the impact being felt the world over. Similar to other years, our 1 st Q ... More »
Police Abolition Statement
From the Staff Collective of the Olympia Food Co-op: What has been known to some for many years has now become apparent to all: the police, whose American origins lie in the slave patrols that began in 1704, have not... More »
Bottled Water and Beyond – article written by former staff member

Megumi Sugihara, PhD
Former Olympia Food Co-op Grocery Co-manager West
PDF of article includes footnotes In early summer 2019, news arrived at the Olympia Food Co-op that Cowlitz tribe members and residents of Randle, Washington had... More »
Books for Prisoners – recipient of the 2020 Spring Grant from the Community Sustaining Fund
both stores will be CLOSED on Friday, June 12th.

CLOSED
on Friday, June 12th, 2020
in solidarity with the
Statewide Silent March and General Strike
Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County... More »
a message from our Board of Directors

spring 2020 grant cycle now accepting applications: Community Sustaining Fund
westside garden center NEWS!

garden center at the westside is OPEN
5 days a week, 8 hours a day!!
11am – 7pm
Thursday – Monday
(closed Tuesday & Wednesday) And, did you know you can Order for Pickup?! ... More »
Order for Pickup

during the COVID-19 pandemic at our
Eastside location Google maps Please be aware that this is an emergency system, created in haste, so that the greatest number of members can access food... More »
closed May 1st International Workers Day

will be closed May 1st
for International Workers Day in solidarity with striking workers around the world In the past, for a very long time, both stores were closed seven days of the year, including May... More »
COVID-19 response & protocols

COVID19 RESPONSE & PROTOCOLS Dear Co-op Community, The health and well-being of our customers, staff, volunteers and suppliers is our utmost concern at this time. We are working quickly to respond to ever changing conditions and want... More »
westside garden center is open Thursday through Monday daily

Thursday thru Monday
11 am to 7 pm
(closed Tuesday & Wednesday) Both east and west Co-ops have so many wonderful
local veggie starts
seeds
seed potatoes
soils & compost
flower bulbs
and... More »
new hours starting Monday, April 6th

Monday, April 6, 2020
and continue through the end of April Eastside
9am to 7pm
everyday Westside
9am to 1pm & 2pm to 7pm
everyday Westside Garden Center
11am to 7pm
Thursday through Monday... More »
COVID-19 Response Updates – Temporary Limited Store Hours – Temporary Suspension of Order & Pick Up

Starting Thursday, March 26 Eastside Store
9am to 6pm
Everyday Westside Store
9am to 1pm AND
2pm to 9pm
Everyday Westside Garden Center
11am to 7pm
Thursday thru Monday only Our revised East and West store hours... More »
shopper update – Saturday, March 21st

both stores will open late – 11am – Saturday, March 21st

update Thursday, March 19

COVID-19: a letter to our community

Co-op Kitchen Remodel Update

westside garden center now open! thursday – monday, 11am – 7pm

Thursday – Monday
10am – 6pm starts and seeds and so much more! ... More »
bakery Pop Up at the westside garden center! february 14 – 16

Pop Up Bakery
at the
westside garden center! February 14 – 16, 2020
Friday – Sunday
11am – 6pm Featuring baked goods from the personal recipes of
our talented deli staff. ... More »
co-op kitchen remodel! last day for the salad bar is Friday, February 7th (though salads, sandwiches, and cold soups will be available…)

February 8th and we will have to close the kitchen for 6 weeks (if all
goes to schedule…). We will do our best to continue to provide... More »
Thinking about Thanksgiving in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples

open november 28th – 8am to 5pm

November 28th, 2019 8am – 5pm The staff collective would like to recognize the diversity within our community. If you have thoughts on our store hours we would love to hear from you!... More »
turkeys start arriving on November 14th!

BALLOT MEASURE “Should the Olympia Food Co-op add beer, wine, and other low alcohol beverages to the product mix?”

The Olympia Food Co-op Elections 2019
Voting open October 15 – November 15, 2019 Voting information & online voting links found here The Ballot Measure
“Should the Olympia Food Co-op add beer,... More »
annual membership meeting November 2nd!

42nd Annual
Membership Meeting! Saturday, November 2nd
11am – 2pm 222 Columbia St NW
Downtown Olympia Meet the Board Candidates
Staff & Board Reports
Catered Lunch
& Music from Citizens Band ... More »
voting now open! ballots available online & in both stores October 15th – November 15th

vote online or in either store Board Candidates PDF Statement on Ballot Measure PDF 2019 Member Ballot PDF ONLINE VOTING
scroll... More »
celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day!

Indigenous Peoples’ Day! Monday, October 14th, 2019 Sampling from 1-5 PM Paintings from Indigenous artist
Leonard Peltier will be on display! Join us in honoring and supporting Native and Indigenous Food Sovereignty by purchasing products... More »
westside garden center open weekends 10 – 6

open Saturdays & Sundays
10am – 6pm Eastside Garden Center
open Everyday
8am – 8pm ... More »
extended deadline for Board of Directors Applications! September 30th!

15th annual Harvest Party!!

Taste some tasty Local Eats!
Enjoy the Music!
Celebrate our Co-op & Community! The Olympia Food Co-op 15th Annual
Harvest Party Saturday, September 7th, 2019
12 – 4pm West Central Park
1919 Division NW & Harrison
with... More »
join the Board of Directors! application process now open!!

9pm on September 15th, 2019 PDF of the Application Frequently Asked Questions What ... More »
summer classes are happening!

looking for bulk Alaffia? here is a message to you from the wellness team

which includes hair and body... More »
new products in eastside bulk

Biscuits & Gravy Take a Summer Vacation

Happy Pride Olympia!
round up grants awarded!

Stipends for teachers for... More »
spring classes are happening!

both stores will be closed on May 1st for International Workers Day

will be closed May 1st
for International Workers Day in solidarity with striking workers around the world In the past, for a very long time, both stores were closed seven days of the year, including May... More »
bring your own containers for the salad bar – get 30¢ off!

co-op conversation on beer & wine! april 6th

1pm – 4pm Olympia Community Center
222 Columbia NW
Downtown Olympia Join us for a community conversation on the binding fall member ballot to carry beer and wine in at... More »
garden center at westside now open 10 – 6 daily

new round up at the registers – capitol homecare cooperative

2018 Board of Directors election and Bylaws changes results!

The results of our election, including our first-ever electronic ballots, are as follows:
Desdra Dawning
Jim Hutcheon
Frederick Jack Meldicott
Mel Bilodeau Bylaw change results are in! The Board and staff proposed... More »
salad bar price change announcement

open January 1st regular hours

January 1st
8am – 9pm The staff collective would like to recognize the diversity within our community. If you have thoughts on our store hours we would love to hear from you!... More »
open December 25 from 8am – 5pm

December 25th
8am – 5pm The staff collective would like to recognize the diversity within our community. If you have thoughts on our store hours we would love to hear from you!... More »
pop up bakery at the westside garden center!

Pop Up Bakery
at the
westside garden center! November 26 – December 14, 2018
Tuesday – Friday
8 am – 11:30 am What a great way to use our beautiful garden center in the winter months!... More »
free range & organic turkeys are in!

open November 22nd from 8am – 5pm

vote for your Board of Directors & bylaws online voting now available!

results will be posted no later than November 22, 2018 ONLINE VOTING
scroll to view the Board candidate’s essays
CLICK HERE ... More »
Board of Directors has endorsed these initiatives and propositions…

Intercity Transit website Initiative 940 – Deescalate Washington
Deescalate Washington website Initiative 1631- Washington State Carbon Tax
Yes on 1631 ... More »
membership meeting saturday november 3rd!

November 3rd, 2018
11am – 3pm
Olympia Center downtown (click to Google maps) Catch up with the news from our Board of Directors, committees, staff members, and our Board candidates. Participate in a member... More »
harvest party & zuke fest!! sunday, sept 9th!

noon – 4pm
West Central Park on Olympia’s westside
corner of Harrison & Division
google map link Our annual celebration of our local bounty... More »
considering joining the board of directors? now is the time… applications due Sept 15!

and the future of our community! Join the Board of Directors! Board of Directors Application (pdf) Applications Accepted
August 1 – September 15 (by 9p.m.)
Elections held October... More »
wagon give-a-way is back! sign up through July 3rd!

raffles are held at both stores
– and, yes –
there is a wagon for each store!!
no purchase necessary!! three weeks to enter your name for the drawing!
open until 9pm Tuesday, July 3rd! Here are... More »
get growin’ for the Zuke Fest!

September 9th, 2018
Noon – 4pm West Central Park
on Olympia’s Westside
at Harrison and Division Prizes!
Live... More »
keep local farmland as farms! you can Round Up at the registers to help this happen!

sample local foods with the President of the Board! thursday evenings at the eastside!

free treats – ride a bike to the Co-op in May!

Bicycle Commuter Challenge In May, when you ride to the Co-op,
come to the Customer Service desk,
get a treat, and a punch on your Olympia Food Co-op Ride Card.
After 5 rides, your Ride... More »
the Co-op is hiring! applications due april 30th

want this pile of tools and more? enter into Annie’s Homegrown Giveaway!

Annie’s Compost & Gardening Kit (Valued at $90!)
There will be two winners – one at each Co-op location! Entry forms are found at the display, or cashiers have them – then drop it off at the... More »
local foods! music! fun! at the westside on earth day!

Sunday, April 22nd
11am – 5pm
Westside Olympia Food Co-op This will be a fun time for all! We will be featuring lovely local foods from our vendors, local music by... More »
bicycle commuter challenge – registration now open!

Bicycle Commuter Challenge
is getting ready to roll and
registration is now open! In the month of May, cyclists of all ages can
participate with logging miles and get prizes! And, anytime in May,... More »
help keep farmland as farms… round up at the register!

equal exchange bananas!!

NFC reader now at Eastside

garden starts are here!

buy backs for bottle deposits ending soon! Rawkstar Creations and Rainbow Cloud

Cascadian Farms donating 3% of sales for a good cause!!

the Olympia Food Co-op will be participating in a fundraising effort
by Cascadian Farms to donate funds to the Land Institute. For two weeks, starting February 14th, Cascadian Farms will give... More »
garden news! westside open every day! new eastside seed display!

open daily 10am – 6pm,
located across the Westside parking lot to the south. Here you will find tools, soils, starts, seeds, books, and so much more! Eastside Garden Center
open during store hours, daily 8am –... More »
2 vacancies on the Board of Directors! here’s how to apply

win tickets to pizza klatch’s gayla feature performer!!

community sustaining fund 2017 grant awards

Edible Forest Gardens
Strengthening Sanctuary
Common Cause Property Alliance
Women of Color Leadership Movement The Community Sustaining Fund has been a Co-op round up for... More »
win $75 of free groceries and have $75 donated in your name to the food bank!!

election results for your board of directors! 2017

January 2018 – December 2020 Joanne McCaughan Peter Brown Benjamin (Ben) Witten To read their original... More »
40 year annual meeting & celebration… save the date!

3pm – 8pm
Olympia Community Center
222 Columbia Street NW The party will include lots of food, music, and helpful information (of course!), and we are also preparing a... More »
round up at the register! three to choose from… pocket change makes real change!

considering joining the board of directors? now is the time… applications due Sept 15!

we are celebrating! do you have materials for our documentary?

working member appreciation party

it’s a summer shindig to celebrate YOU! For more information,
or to make sure there will be food... More »
do you have a senior or disability membership? changes are coming july 3rd

westside garden center sale and clearance event! this weekend june 23 & 24

will be hosting a big
Summer Sale and Clearance Event! This weekend!
Saturday and Sunday
June 23rd and 24th 10am – 7pm Spend $20 and receive a
free 4″ herb start from
Rising River Farm!* *Westside... More »
win a woodstock wagon! one more week to join the raffle!

hurry in to enter your name!! There is only one week left!
raffles are held at both stores
– and, yes –
there is a wagon for each store!!
no purchase necessary!! one more week left to... More »
join us for a co-op conversation on the changes to the senior and disability memberships

Co-op Conversation on the implementation of our
new Cooperative Access Program! Wednesday, June 7
6pm – 8pm
Olympia Community Center, Room 100
222 Columbia St NW (click for Google map)... More »
westside garden center fun! open 10am – 7pm daily!

free treats for bike riding! join our team! may is bcc month!

closed for international workers’ day on may 1st

Monday May 1st
in solidarity with workers everywhere
honoring International Workers’ Day In the past, for a very long time, both stores were closed seven days of the year, including May 1st. ... More »
exciting changes to the eastside store!

do you have a senior or disability co-op membership?

help get fresh produce to folks in need…

collecting fresh produce at
both Co-op locations Saturday March 25th
10am – 3pm Come on in, buy some fresh produce, then bring it to the table
in front of stores these days... More »
changes coming to our discount memberships

collecting supplies for women in need

join the member relations committee!

here is a fresh approach to healthy eating…

westside garden center featuring local artisans

weekends in December and
for the full week of December 19th – 24th Here are the participating artists Boom Gallery
Various Jewelry and Pottery Items Deborah Smith
Crochet Hats & Children Sweater/Hat Sets Diana Teachout
Handsewn... More »
election results for your Board of Directors!

Raven Redbone, 3 year term
Jaime Rossman,... More »
membership meeting november 12

11am – 2pm
Olympia Community Center, Room ... More »