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

  • Ashley Jamieson – Cashier/Buyer
  • Arlene Boheler – Bookkeeper
  • Brenda Hough – Shift Lead
  • Debera Ricalde – Assistant Manager
  • Diane D’Acuti – Cashier
  • Edward McCorkle – Cashier
  • Ella Marmont – Cleaner
  • Emily Ranken – Store Manager
  • Florence Vincent – Buyer
  • Glenadine O’Harra – Cashier
  • Jessica French – Cashier
  • Jutta Dewell – Store Manager
  • Maggie Sayer – Produce
  • Margaret Gilbridge – Wine Department Manager
  • Melissa Arena – Shift Lead
  • Michael Burke – Floor Manager
  • Nancy Moore – Cashier
  • Quincy Smith – Cashier
  • Rebecca Ricalde – Produce
  • Sheryl Klein – Shift Lead 
  • Sophia Arena – Cashier
  • Ute 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

    Recipe; Sweet Potato Rösti

    Briney Sea Delicaseas Local Wild King Salmon

    Fresh Wild King Salmon from local rivers and waterways. We’re beyond excited to find this new fish company that focuses on finding salmon of superior quality from local rivers and waterways. We hit the jackpot with this Local Smoked King Salmon that’s so moist it...

    Purely Elizabeth Cookie Granolas

    These are delicious. Purely Elizabeth Cookie Granola, Oatmeal Raisin and Chocolate Chip baked with coconut oil.

    Brie du Pommier

    We have a new French Brie Cheese. We first saw it at one of the Olympia Food Co-ops. It’s delicious and seems to be a better size and price fit for us. We sampled it on Wednesday and customers really liked it.

    Local Olykraut

    It feels really good to be working directly with local Olympia company Olykraut, rather than shipping their products from Seattle or Portland! It also gives us the opportunity to bring in products that aren’t available anywhere else. Here’s their Eastern European...

    Automatic Dishwasher Powder by Seventh Generation.

    Customer request for Automatic Dishwasher Powder. We had a brand that was discontinued so we found this one from Seventh Generation.

    Bonomi Organic Ladyfingers

    It’s an organic bonanza. We didn’t even realize these goodies were available. Bonomi Organic Ladyfingers that even come in the Italian packaging

    Duverger Organic French Macarons

    We didn’t even realize these goodies were available. Duverger Organic French Macarons, Raspberry, Chocolate and Salted Caramel.

    Organic Mozzarella from MiYoko’s

    Here’s the Mozzarella from MiYoko’s. It’s the vegan answer to Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil salad with balsamic vinegar dressing or popped on top of a pizza.

    ZOT Licorice

    Customers have been asking us to bring these ZOT Licorice back in for them. They’re delicious, organic, sugar free and gluten free.