Shopping with us is a little bit different than other stores but please don’t be intimidated. Part of our mission is to “make good food accessible to more people” and everybody is welcome to shop in our member-owned cooperative stores, regardless of membership status, age, race, ability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or nationality.
We do offer exciting member benefits, which include: paying shelf-prices (while non-members pay an additional 10%), free membership and low-income discounts to those in need, access to bulk order discounts and working member discounts, the opportunity to order online from our online store for curbside pickup, and countless opportunities to stay involved!
During your visit, you’ll see our working members side-by-side with our staff, helping to cashier and stock the stores. Please be kind to them, as they represent the heart of our organization. By sharing their time and skills, our working members embody the service and value we have provided to our community since 1977. Check out the details of this popular program and our many working member benefits!
Ready to Go Shopping?
Grab your bags and jars, if you like, we do provide a full shopping experience that includes bags. Below are the basics to know. *Remember: if you feel confused, we welcome you to visit Customer Service at either store, where one of our staff members will be happy to answer your questions and show you around.
1) You may need to write down PLU numbers.
What are PLU numbers? If a product does not have a barcode visible on the packaging, it will have a PLU number instead, so your cashier can identify and ring up your purchases. PLUs are most often found on products sold in bulk such as dry goods, gooey oils and syrups, refrigerated bee pollen, and select body care products, cleaning products, frozen and bakery goods. There are pens and paper at the customer service desk you can use and many bulk product areas also have their own pens, etc.
Our Deli soups are sold by the cup and salads are sold by the pound but you don’t numbers for those. You also generally do not need to get PLU’s for produce items, but do take note of the name of the produce item if there’s more than one type, for example: Ambrosia apple. This helps our cashiers accurately identify them and charge you the correct price!
2) Handling Liquid Bulk Items
You can bring in your own container or purchase one of ours – various designs in glass and plastic are available. Make sure to weigh the container prior to filling. The scales are located in our bulk sections for your convenience. At the eastside store it’s next to the water dispenser while at the westside it’s at the end of the bulk aisle. You want to keep track of any container weights. We call this a “tare” weight. When you’re checking out, let your cashier know the tare weight and the PLU number of each bulk item sold by weight.
3) Bulk Discounts
We offer a 10% discount on most bulk product orders. You must order a whole bag or case of these items. Case sizes vary by product. Ask a staff member to fill out the order form, and we’ll call you or text you when your order arrives. At that time payment will be due. If there’s an issue with availability, our department managers will do everything they can to contact you in advance and try to solve the problem.
Food Labeling Information
Fair Trade with the Domestic Fair Trade Association
Non-GMO labeling with the Non-GMO Project
GMO Foods – Frequently Asked Questions with the World Health Organization
Nutrition Facts Label Guide of the US Food and Drug Administration
Organic labeling with the US Department of Agriculture
No Longer Offering Tax Exemptions for Nonresidents
Sorry, but we are no longer permitted to provide this service as of As of July 1, 2019. You are welcome to request a refund through the Department of Revenue of Washington State for the state portion that you paid, and there is no refund available for the local portion paid. Here is a PDF of the Tax Exemption Special Notice
Below is a copy of our returns policy for you reference. We hope to see you soon!
Olympia Food Co-op Returns Policy
As a not-for-profit, community owned grocery store, the purpose of our returns policy is
to promote member satisfaction while maintaining low prices.
1. All returns must be approved by a Front End Staff Member.
2. Items may be returned or exchanged to either store, regardless of original purchase
location, within 30 days of purchase, if accompanied by a sales receipt. Certain items
may not be eligible for returns or exchanges and will be labeled as such in the store.
Alcohol returns are allowed only in the case of spoiled/”corked” product.
3. All refunds, overcharges and price adjustments must be accompanied by a sales receipt. Members may retrieve their receipt at the store where they made their purchase, provided that they associated the sale with their membership.
4. Items with a receipt may be returned for a refund as follows:
a. For credit or debit purchases: the refund amount must be credited back to the
customer’s card.
b. For EBT Food purchases: the refund amount must be credited to the EBT card
used in the original purchase.
c. For cash, check or EBT cash purchases: the Co-op may give a refund in cash, or
onto a gift card.
d. For gift card purchases: the refund amount will be credited back to a gift card.
5. Items without a receipt may be exchanged for EBT-food eligible items only, no cash
back or gift card/in store credit. Up to three items at one time may be exchanged
without a receipt.
6. The Olympia Food Co-op reserves the right to handle returns and exchanges on a case-
by-case basis.
We look forward to seeing you soon!