Co-op Table Spring 2022 Supporting a Resilient and Sustainable Food System By Maureen Tobin, Staff member In my time at the Co-op, the question of how to plan for the future, in a collectively-managed, consensus-based organization, has always been a... More » Featured Newsletters
Spring 2022
Co-op Table Spring 2022 Supporting a Resilient and Sustainable Food System By Maureen Tobin, Staff member In my time at the Co-op, the question of how to plan for the future, in a collectively-managed, consensus-based organization, has always been a... More » Featured Newsletters
Spring 2021
Co-op Table Spring 2021 How can we, as the complicated group of individuals who make up the Olympia Food Co-op, contribute to healing, and what does that mean? Why do we have a sense that we all need a new... More »
Fall 2021
Co-op Table Fall 2021 Free Groceries to Fight Hunger By Desdra Dawning, Co-op Member Have you heard about or seen the free grocery store in Olympia? Its current location at the time of this writing is in the parking lot... More » Summer 2021
Co-op Table Summer 2021 Growing Diversity: A Fresh Look at Farmers
This is the farmer that comes in a Lego farm set. Here in Thurston county however, your farmer is nearly as likely to be female. The most recent Census... More » Fall 2020
Co-op Table Fall 2020 SOME TIPS ON COZYING UP WITH YOURSELF FOR THE LONG HAUL QUARANTINE Who thought quarantine would last this long?! What started as an opportunity to complete projects and engage in some self-care has become too lengthy... More » 
Winter 2019
Co-op Table Winter 2019 PDF LOCAL FARMS PROGRAMAn integral mission of the Olympia Food Co-op has been its commitment to support and cultivate local producers and businesses. The Local Farms Program is a system implemented by the produce department,... More »
Fall 2019
Co-op Table Fall 2019 PDFTIME TO VOTE!
Every year at this time, the Board of Directors of the Olympia Food Cooperative look to the November ballot as a time to open their doors to incoming new directors. This process... More »
Summer 2019
Co-op Table Summer 2019 PDFA GROCERY CO-MANAGER DREAMS OF GOING LOCAL: FOR A STRONGER LOCAL ECONOMY
The local multiplier effect is an economic benefit that independent businesses bring to an area economy through money spent in the community. While... More »
Spring 2019
Co-op Table Spring 2019 PDFBULK & PLASTIC
It is pretty common knowledge that our consumer lifestyle in the developed and developing world is the source for the islands of plastic now floating in our oceans. We have come to... More »
Winter 2018
Co-op Table Winter 2018 PDFSEED STARTING
February marks the beginning of spring gardening in the Pacific Northwest because it’s the time we begin indoor seed starting. The whys and hows of this seemingly fussy process — with its many... More »
Fall 2018
Co-op Table Fall 2018 PDFANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Join us on November 3rd, 2018, for Olympia Food Co-op’s 41st Annual Membership Meeting, held from 11:00 am to 3:00 p.m. at the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW. Our Annual Membership... More »
Summer 2018
Co-op Table Summer 2018 PDFTIME TO GET YOUR GRILL ON!
Olympia has encountered some very hot days the last few summers, and I know I’m not alone in living in a house that doesn’t have air conditioning. One of... More »
Spring 2018
Co-op Table Spring 2018 PDFTHE EASIEST GARDEN IS AN HERB GARDEN
If you have any kind of outdoor space available to you – a yard, a porch, or windowsill you can hang a planter box from – I advise... More »
Winter 2017
Co-op Table Winter 2017 PDFCELEBRATING FORTY YEARS!
The Co-op celebrated our 40th anniversary at our annual membership meeting on Saturday, October 28, at the Olympia Center in downtown. If you weren’t one of the 300 or so folks who... More »
Fall 2017
Co-op Table Fall 2017 PDFROUND UP AT THE REGISTER
1. SUPPORTING THE COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT IN VENEZUELA
One of the round ups at Co-op registers happening this fall supports CECOSESOLA, a cooperative network in Venezuela deeply tied to members of... More »
Summer 2017
Co-op Table Summer 2017 PDFAN INTERVIEW WITH SARIKA IGLOI
Sarika Igloi, staff member & eastside Faerie Gardener Coordinator, is interviewed by staff member, Whitney Bard. Whitney Bard (WB): How long have you worked at the Co-op and what positions... More »
Spring 2017
Co-op Table Spring 2017 PDFMICHELLE NOEL CHEESE PROFESSIONAL
Michelle Noel, staff member & Cheese Manager, is interviewed by staff member, Whitney Bard. Whitney Bard (WB): How long have you worked at the Co-op/been a manager of the cheese department?... More »
Winter 2016
Co-op Table Winter 2016 PDFTHE OLYMPIA FOOD CO-OP CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF CO-OP LOCAL IN 2017
When it comes to your food, the declaration of “locally sourced” is everywhere these days. You’ve seen it: local cheese, local produce, local... More »
Fall 2016
Co-op Table Fall 2016 PDFCOOPERATIVES AND THE LOCAL ECONOMY: CRUCIAL FOR SURVIVAL
This July and August, several cooperative workers from Olympia are visiting CECOSESOLA, a huge network of cooperatives in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, marking the second exchange with our friends... More »
Summer 2016
Co-op Table Summer 2016 PDFDON’T FORGET THE WATER: PADDLE TO NISQUALLY CANOE JOURNEY 2016
The Olympia Food Co-op is honored to be counted among the sponsors of the 2016 Canoe Journey, hosted by the Nisqually Tribe, taking place this... More »
Spring 2016
Co-op Table Spring 2016 PDFMOVEMENT SOLIDARITY: THE FIGHT FOR $15
The Olympia Food Co-op, in an attempt to “support efforts to foster a socially and economically egalitarian society”, has passed a resolution to bring its starting wage for collective... More »
October & November 2015
Co-op News October & November 2015 PDFBOARD REPORT
Last month an anti-oppression training was offered to new Co-op staff and Board members. I learned that I needed to build on this training because, while a lot of us found... More »
July & August & September 2015
Co-op News July & August & September 2015 PDFSO MANY DELICIOUS THIRST QUENCHING DRINKS, SO MANY HOT SUMMER DAYS!
Water makes up more than half of the human body. It also helps us regulate our temperature, lubricate our joints... More »
May & June 2015
Co-op News May & June 2015 PDFA BETTER WAY TO CASH IN ON THE COCONUT CRAZE
Health conscious consumers are going crazy for coconuts. Pitched by a cast of ageless celebrities, coconut water has exploded into a $1 billion... More »
February & March & April 2015
Co-op News February & March & April 2015 PDFWESTSIDE GARDEN CENTER: OFFICIALLY OPEN FOR THE SEASON
Spring is coming: it’s time to get dirty. By the time this article reaches you the westside Olympia Food Co-op’s garden center will... More »
December 2014 & January 2015
Co-op News December 2014 & January 2015 PDFA MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE: PHILIPPINE TYPHOON RELIEF ROUND UP UPDATE
Daghang salamat (many thanks) to the Olympia Food Co-op community for raising $1,210 for the Philippine typhoon relief through the round up... More »
October & November 2014
Co-op News October & November 2014 PDFBOARD REPORT
As I look back on four years of volunteer work on the Board of Directors, I’m struck anew by the uniqueness and beauty of our community cooperative – a grocery store... More »
August & September 2014
Co-op News August & September 2014 PDFLOCAL AT THE OLYMPIA FOOD CO-OP
The Olympia Food Co-op has a well established local buying program that we are very proud of. We carry locally and regionally produced items in every department... More »
April & May 2014
Co-op News April & May 2014 PDFA VISIT TO COLVIN RANCH
Walking around Colvin Ranch for the first time was a surreal event to say the least. I was coming to the end of a three day long Evergreen... More »
February & March 2014
Co-op News February & March 2014 PDFWHAT’S NEW AT THE CO-OP THIS YEAR?
The staff collective put a lot of plans on hold in 2013 as we worked to resolve an unbalanced budget and build our cash reserves. Therefore,... More »
December 2013 & January 2014
Co-op News December 2013 & January 2014 PDFSTAFF PROFILE: GRACE & HARRY
Grace Cox and Harry Levine are coming up on their 30th anniversaries with the Olympia Food Co-op. Both admit that back in 1984, when they first signed... More »
October & November 2013
Co-op News October & November 2013 PDFLABELING GM (GENETICALLY MODIFIED) FOODS: LOCAL FARMERS REACH OUT TO CO-OP MEMBERS
So much is determined by seeds – a plant’s vigor and suitability to our soils, climate and palates. Seeds which are... More »
August & September 2013
Co-op News August & September 2013 PDFWHERE DOES THE CO-OP STAND ON GMOS?
Human history is replete with cautionary tales about our interactions with natural systems. From decimating salmon runs to introducing Cane Toads to Australia to dealing with... More »
June & July 2013
Co-op News June & July 2013 PDFFOOD: SECURITY OR SOVEREIGNTY?
When I think of “security,” I think of deadbolts, the faux cops that patrol parking structures, alarm systems, and the Department of Homeland Security. Perhaps the meaning has been... More »
April & May 2013
Co-op News April & May 2013 PDFWHO INVENTED CO-OPS?
In December of 1844, a man wheeled a wagon across the fourteen cold and muddy miles from Manchester to Rochdale, England. Inside the wagon were a few pounds each of... More »
February & March 2013
Co-op News February & March 2013 PDFUNION STRIKE AT CO-OP DISTRIBUTOR
As you may have gathered while shopping in our stores in November and December, the Co-op has been engrossed in ways to support union workers striking against United... More »
December 2012 & January 2013
Co-op News December 2012 & January 2013 PDFINTERNATIONAL YEAR OF COOPERATIVES
When we heard that the United Nations designated 2012 to be the International Year of Cooperatives, the Board and staff felt immediate excitement. Finally, co-ops would get some... More »
October & November 2012
Co-op News October & November 2012 PDFSTRATEGIC PLANNING
As folks who read last issue’s board report know, in June the Co-op Board of Directors spent two days together thinking about the future. This event grew out of a feeling... More »
August & September 2012
Co-op News August & September 2012 PDFCECOSESOLA COMES TO OLYMPIA
As I take in the familiar surroundings – the melon green walls of the Olympia Food Co-op’s main meeting room (which is about a third the size of the... More »
June & July 2012
Co-op News June & July 2012 PDFAN EXCERPT FROM EXCHANGE WITH CECOSESOLA
This article was originally published as a blog entry where you can access more posts about this exchange. In many ways, los reuniones de gestión resemble collective... More »
April & May 2007
Co-op News April & May 2007 PDFENVISIONING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR THE CO-OP
As some of you may have read in last year’s Co-op News, an Ecological Planning Committee has formed here at the Olympia Food Co-op. We are... More »
February & March 2007
PRODUCT IMAGES AND THE CO-OP, AN EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVEFebruary and March honor the cultures and legacies of African Americans and women by declaring these months as national heritage months (there are also other heritage months throughout the year). So it... More »
October & November 2006
SHOULD THE CO-OP ACCEPT CREDIT & DEBIT CARDS?The Co-op does not accept credit or debit cards for payment. Back in 1999, we did extensive research to explore whether or not we should add this option at the cash registers.... More »
August & September 2006
ORGANIC: FROM THE GROUND UPSummer is here again, and along with it, the local growing season. A time of year when the amount of sun is measured instead of rain; when people can be seen spending time outside, in... More »
June & July 2006
Co-op News June & July 2006 PDFGARDENING SEASON IS HERE!
With the warm weather of spring and summer comes the height of the gardening season. Beginning each year in February, our garden centers start filling up and brimming over... More »
April & May 2006
Co-op News April & May 2006 PDFTHE HIGH COST OF NEW BAGS
March was National Waste Awareness Month, and the staff members want to honor our members who already contribute to the reduction of waste. You are the ones... More »
February & March 2006
Co-op News February & March 2006 PDFANTI-OPPRESSION AND THE CO-OP
The subject of anti-oppression is multifaceted and makes every person think of something different. Even though there are many researched and documented facts on the subject, it inevitably triggers... More »
December 2005 & January 2006
Co-op News December 2005 & January 2006 PDFCO-OP DONATIONS
There are many joyful things about working at the Co-op, and one of the most joyful things that I get to do is coordinate the donations budget. I love giving... More »
October & November 2005
Co-op News October & November 2005 PDFFAIR TRADE WITHIN YOUR REACH
It’s easy to sink into political depression these days. The news is bad, from the ongoing war against Iraq to the horrible bungling of the Hurricane Katrina relief... More »
August & September 2005
Co-op News August & September 2005 PDFLEFT FOOD ORGANICS: MORE THAN LOCAL PRODUCE
Do you ever wonder where those robust heads of lettuce, spicy bunches of mustard greens, and deliciously crunchy bundles of bok choy come from? Have you... More »
June & July 2005
Co-op News June & July 2005 PDFTHE CO-OP GARDEN CENTERS HAVE GROWN!
Summer is here, and nowhere are people more happy than in the coastal Pacific Northwest, where the winter (and spring and fall) usually consists of one long,... More »
April & May 2005
Co-op News April & May 2005 PDFLOCAL PRODUCE AT THE OLYMPIA FOOD CO-OP
Did you know that the Olympia Food Co-op works in partnership with local farms and orchards to bring you the freshest produce available? In addition to... More »
Summer 2000
Co-op News Summer 2000 PDFASSISTED SHOPPER PROGRAM
At long last, the Olympia Food Co-op is proud to now offer an Assisted Shopper Program to its members! What is an Assisted Shopper Program? Well, at the Co-op, it means that... More »
April 2000
Co-op News April 2000 PDFHELP NEEDED TO INCLUDE ORGANICS IN WASHINGTON’S WIC PROGRAM
Did you know that 44% of the infants in the United States receive vouchers from WIC, the joint state and federal Women Infants and Children supplemental... More »
November 1997
Co-op News November 1997 PDFEDITORS NOTE
As press time drew near, and I still hadn’t written my column, I searched my thoughts for what message I wanted to share in this “holiday” issue of the Co-op News. In past... More »
July 1997
Co-op News July 1997 PDFEASTSIDE
Author and international lecturer Quentin Crisp once said, “My function in life was to render clear what was already blindingly conspicuous.” In my case, though, that isn’t necessarily so … The problem over the... More »
November 1995
Co-op News November 1995 PDFEASTSIDE
My goodness! Would you look at those leaves turning colors! I just love this time of year! We’ve bid a fond farewell to September and rushed head long into October with nary a backward... More »
September 1994
Co-op News September 1994 PDFTHE GREEN STAR AWARD
Every morning, I hear the crash of glass outside my bedroom window. It’s not a car accident or a demolition crew, it is the sound of a local restaurant bar’s bottles... More »
September 1993
Co-op News September 1993 PDFA DEAL IS BORN
Have you heard the big news yet? The members approved the recommendation to buy the property at 3111 SE Pacific Ave. The vote total was 665 in favor of the recommendation... More »
Winter 1987
Co-op News Winter 1987 PDFHAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!
The Co-op celebrated its 10th Birthday in 1986, and a rousing evening of entertainment and dancing was held to honor a decade of hard work, steady growth and cooperative spirit. About... More »
Fall 1987
Co-op News Fall 1987 PDFSUGAR POLICY
The present policy on sugars in the Co-op was developed to support healthy eating habits and global food politics. This is outlined in the pro and con statements following the ballot question, which... More »
Winter 1986
Co-op News Winter 1986 PDFBLUE HERON BAKERY FLYING HIGH
The Blue Heron Bakery was put into granny gear in 1977 by Greg Reinemer, Carmella Courtney, and Teri Turner. Created with the ideals of creating good food, non-hierarchical working conditions,... More »
Summer 1986
Co-op News Summer 1986 PDFCHEESELAND
With the coming of the deli, there are a lot of changes in the cheese department, Some specialty cheeses are available in the new deli, as well as the display cooler. Deli services include... More »
Spring 1986
Co-op News Spring 1986 PDFLITTLE DELI HITS THE BIG TIME
For the past few months the Co-op has been conducting an experiment called the Little Deli. Every Wednesday a Co-op staff person (myself) has been whipping up approximately 40... More »
Winter 1985
Co-op News Winter 1985 PDFINTRODUCING NEWEST STAFF MEMBERS AND… GRACE COX
Born a Dallas Cowboys fan in 1951, Grace quickly switched loyalties in 1975 when the Seattle Seahawks joined the NFL. She was 9 for 13 in Wave participation... More »
Fall 1985
Co-op News Fall 1985 PDFWATER FOR LIFE
Imagine walking a mile to the river, digging a hole in the dry river bed, waiting 2 hours for it to fill your bowl, and then carrying the fifty pound bowl on... More »
Summer 1985
Co-op News Summer 1985 PDFBEATRICE BUYS MOUNTAIN HIGH
Some Co-op members have suggested that we stop carrying Mountain High yogurt since the new packaging proudly proclaims its ownership by the Beatrice (“You’ve known us all along”) Corporation. While we... More »
Spring 1985
Co-op News Spring 1985 PDFHEALTHY SWEETS
Goodies and sweets! Why do most of us, especially kids, crave them? Sweets appeal because they are immediately pleasing to the taste and offer a quick energy boost. However a drastic drop in... More »
Fall 1984
Co-op News Fall 1984 PDFCO-OP BUILDING REALLY OURS!
The results are in! For those of you who haven’t heard it through the grapevine, WE’VE BOUGHT THE BUILDING—yet another milestone in the Olympia Food Co-op’s history. Thanks to the organized... More »
Spring 1984
Co-op News Spring 1984 PDFNEW STAFF FACES ON CO-OP SCENE
Rapid development brought some growing pains to the Olympia Food Co-op in 1982-83. The good news for the members: increased services and product selection, along with a new financial... More »
February 1981
Co-op News February 1981 PDFPESTICIDES KILL — — EAT ORGANIC
Pesticides are chemicals manufactured for the purpose of killing organisms that interfere with production of commercial crops. They have been used extensively since World War II. Most of them... More »
December 1978
Co-op News December 1978 PDFCO-OP STILL IN BUSINESS
Whatever became of the Co-op’s financial crisis last summer? Is the Co-op going to survive? Does anybody know? Yes, some of us have some of the answers. The purpose of this... More »
September 1978
Co-op News September 1978 PDFFINANCIAL HISTORY
The financial crisis the Co-op has been going through actually started when the Co-op opened in March, 1977. The Co-op started several thousand dollars in debt, from initial start-up expenses and the initial... More »
August 1978
Co-op News August 1978 PDFSENATE PASSES BANK BILL
The National Consumer Co-operative Bank Act passed the Senate by a vote of 60 to 33 on July 13, 1978. The House of Representatives passed its companion bill a year ago.... More »
June 1978
Co-op News June 1978 PDFCDC ISSUES
For those who have been unable to attend any of the Wednesday evening get-togethers down at Radiance, here is a brief sketch of what the Olympic CDC has been up to: Since the... More »
May 1978
Co-op News May 1978 PDFEVALUATIONS, VISIONS AND GOALS
The Co-op has been open for over a year. It has played an important role in the Olympia community by supplying a basic need; good, cheap food, within a community owned,... More »
April 1978
Co-op News April 1978 PDFCOMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE HOLDS BENEFIT
On April 16th the Gnu Deli was the site of a benefit fundraiser for an Olympia Community Development Committee. The popular jazz group Gila performed, helping to make the benefit... More »
December 1977
Co-op News December 1977 & January 1978 PDFAN INVITATION TO BE A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY YOU DREAM OF – NOW!
The success of the Food Coop has caused a dream to reawaken within me. It is a... More »
November 1977
Co-op News November 1977 PDFTOWARD BETTER, MORE LOVING CO-OP MEETINGS
Every month or so since the CO-OP began, a General Membership Meeting has been held to make important announcements and come to decisions on important issues. There have been,... More »
September & October 1977
Co-op News September & October 1977 PDFA FEW PLUGS FOR UGLY PRODUCE….
Just a reminder of the tremendous indoctrination we’ve all received which condemns any dirt or bug. We’ve been taught to see “good” fruit as that which is... More »