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

Thanksgiving Turkey pick-up day Friday November 22nd

Turkey order pick-up day is now Friday November 22nd. We apologize for the different dates we’ve posted but we’re using a different delivery service this year and it’s been a little challenging to pin down the delivery date!

Gift of Gobble

We are still accepting donations and applications for Gift Of Gobble, where we give full ready-to-cook Thanksgiving meals to families.

Candied Orange & Candied Ginger and Turrón

Our European Holiday goodies are arriving at the store. They are all over the place! More pictures to come. These are a delicious treat and a great gift for your ginger and orange loving friends. From Italy, Candied Orange and Candied Ginger covered in rich dark...

Mutti Organic Tomato Paste and Pasta Sauces

Mutti Organic Double Concentrated Tomato Paste made from Sun-kissed Organic Italian Tomatoes. Mutti Pasta Sauces are made with Sun-kissed tomatoes from Italy. Rossoro Tomatoes and Basil Pasta Sauce with no added sugar & Rossoro Tomato Marinara Pasta Sauce with no...

Cat & Fiddle Round Cakes

They are back in stock and as delicious as ever.

Boiron Cyclease for Menstrual Cramps

Customer request; Boiron Cyclease for Menstrual Cramps Homeopathic Meltaway Tablets

Wholesome Organic Sucanat Cane Sugar

Customer request; Sucanat Panela Organic Whole Cane Sugar. Sucanat is an unrefined, natural cane sugar made from minimally processed sugar cane juice (its name is an abbreviation for sucre de canne naturel, meaning “natural sugar cane”). It has a deep molasses-like...

Heritage Store Black Castor Oil

Customer request; Heritage Store Black Castor Oil for body, hair and brows. Deep-conditioning oil with Roasted Castor Seeds

RiceWorks gourmet rice snack; Sweet Chili

Here is another flavor of RiceWorks gourmet rice snacks. This one is Sweet Chili flavored. Give it a try.

Violife Sour Cream

Customer request; Violife Sour Cream