About Us

Since 2007, we’ve been offering healthy alternatives for local shoppers who care about where their food comes from. We are a hub for fresh, local, organic, and GMO-free products that help to create a sustainable food supply for our community. Many of our vendors live right here in Thurston County, and you may run into them when you visit the store.

Everyone is welcome!

Whether you’ve been a co-op member since birth or are brand new to the concept, our staff can help. All of us are knowledgeable about the products we carry and we’re happy to share that knowledge. You don’t need to be a member to shop here, but you won’t want to miss out on the many benefits of becoming a member. We offer the following services to our community:

  • We accept food stamps
  • We honor other co-op’s memberships.
  • We offer servicemen and women who present military ID or are in uniform member prices and other buying privileges.

Get Involved. Volunteers, also known as Working Members, are the backbone of our organization. They contribute time and energy to everything from cashiering and stocking items to creating signs and helping with special events. Want to get involved?

OUR VISION 

  • To be a central location for our community reflecting values of a healthy lifestyle. 
  • To serve our community by investing in our local food producers and businesses. 
  • To be able to promote the values of organic, healthy foods.
  • To be a place of education for our community with regard to these principles.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to continually grow our organization by educating ourselves and practicing the fundamental principles of cooperation, membership service and community service on an ongoing basis.

We are a community-owned grocery store that serves the community’s needs, not the needs of big corporations. We source our products as close to home as possible. By sourcing locally and selling sustainable and natural products, The Yelm Food Coop keeps our community’s money in the local economy, which promotes local independence.

OUR STAFF

  • Alex Dowell – Cashier
  • Brenda Hough – Shift Lead
  • Christina Hoelzer – Shift Lead
  • Debera Ricalde – Assistant Manager
  • Diane D’Acuti – Cashier
  • Emily Ranken – Store Manager
  • Florence Vincent – Buyer /

    Merchandiser
  • Glenadine O’Harra – Cashier
  • Isagani Ricalde – Cashier
  • Jutta Dewell – Store Manager
  • Marc Hannon – Cashier
  • Margaret Gilbride – Wine
  • Department Manager
  • Michael Burke – Shift Lead
  • Michaela Perkins – Cashier
  • Ute Christine Jarlik – Floor Manager

How are we doing financially?

Daily totals from the pont of sale system

Expenses updated the third week of the next month.

Supporting Our Local Producers

Cadia Organic Mushroom and Carrot Coconut Soups

CADIA Organic Creamy Mushroom Soup is full of delicious and unique flavors that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. This soup has a rich, earthy flavor profile that comes from the fresh, organic mushrooms used in its preparation. Plant-based CADIA The taste of...

Blue Heron Bakery Cinnamon Rolls, Chocolate Croissants, Cream Cheese Strudels

More goodies from the Blue Heron Bakery in Olympia. Cinnamon Rolls, Chocolate Croissants and Cream Cheese Strudels, Apple and Blueberry

Ham Hickory Smoked by Colvin Ranch.

Wonderful Ham Hickory Smoked by our very own Tenino Colvin Ranch.

Tower Blocks

Our staff enjoy creating these cardboard tower-blocks to keep our store tidy.

Organic Italian Pastas

February must be pasta month. All three of our organic Italian pastas are on sale. Of course Bionaturae, Montebello and Felicetti are all made in Italy so they use Italian wheat.

Enzymedica

We’re excited to bring you products by Enzymedica, Heartburn Soothe protects soothes rebuilds, Papaya Gold advanced natural enzyme formula, GlutenEase Extra Strength helps break down gluten-heavy foods, Lacto helps break down dairy-heavy meals, Digest Gold Maximum...

Rainbow Light & Natural Vitality

NutraNext, the company that owns Rainbow Light and Natural Vitality was bought by Clorox who discontinued a number of products, but Clorox sold it to a smaller company. So we are very excited to bring back items that had been discontinued. We now have Calcium, Counter...

Sunfoods Superfood Organic Beet Powder.

Sunfoods Superfood Organic Beet Powder.

Orgain Vanilla Bean and Smooth Chocolate Shakes

Orgain Organic Nutrition 16 grams of protein, plant based Vanilla Bean and Smooth Chocolate.

Blue Heron Bakery Sandwiches

Fresh in today from Blue Heron Bakery. Turkey & Provolone Sandwiches, Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Sandwiches and Tempeh Hummus Sandwiches.