For the People By the People

A food cooperative or food co-op is a business model that is owned and operated by the people who use its products and services. Such an organization can meet specific needs and objectives of its members and can adapt to member’s changing needs. Thus making food co-op very versatile and can offer most any product or service to it’s diverse members.

Why Co-Op

Cooperatives come in many shapes, sizes, locations, and in every way are flexible. The roots of such an organization come from the Industrial Revolution, where was born a need for collective cooperation for the wellbeing of all. And in 1995 in accordance with the International Co-operative Alliance adopted a 7 principle code to reflect core principles and values.

  1. Voluntary and open membership
  2. Democratic member control
  3. Member economic participation
  4. Autonomy and independence
  5. Education, training, and information
  6. Cooperation among cooperatives
  7. Concern for Community

When you become a member of your local food co-op, you become part of a large diverse community. Whose principles and values of how our food should be produced and distributed have a large impact on you, your family, and your community. But it does not just stop there as are hundreds of Food Co-ops in the USA and much more worldwide.

As a member, you will begin to notice these words-

Certified Organic, Fair Trade, Humanely Treated, Chemical Free, Locally Grown.

And at the Yelm Food Co-op, we pride ourselves on vetting products for you that meet the highest standards of the Organic Industry. We want the best for our local community and our neighbors. Please feel welcome to join our unique nation!

Supporting Our Local Producers

We’re Hiring

The Yelm Food Co-op has an opportunity for the right person! Do you know about and enjoy organic and natural foods, locally sourced where possible? Do you like the idea of working in a member-owned grocery store? Do you like the idea of working in an atmosphere where...

Cocojune Coconut Yogurt

SAMPLING WEDNESDAY: Cocojune Organic Cultured Coconut Yogurt is delicious. We culture our coconut slowly with some of the world’s most researched probiotics giving it a mild tang and lots of probiotic fire-power. *Strawberry Rhubarb: sweet strawberries, tart rhubarb,...

Deli meat signs

We know the picture isn’t great, but are these new deli meat signs useful?

Cadia Organic Mustards

We continue to love the quality of these Organic Cadia Mustards, and the great prices. We just tried the Honey Mustard and it’s great, use it in everything!

Thrilling Foods Bakon & Hooray Plant Based Bacon

We got the Thrilling Foods Bakon Strips back in. They join the Hooray Foods plant-based bacon. Lots of delicious great ‘bacon’ options.

Cadia Organic Long Grain White Rice

Cadia Organic Long Grain White Rice joins the rest of the their rice options.

Chocolate for the Kiddies

For Easter and for every other day for the kiddies.

Save our Veggies!!

Save the Vegetables! (and fruit) Join the Yelm Food Co-ops GoFundMe campaign to buy a brand new produce chiller and protect our produce. Our current chiller is doing its best but is on the verge of overheating or dying at any time, putting our precious fruit and...

Easter at the Yelm Food Co-op

Easter is coming to the Yelm Food Co-op and we have wonderful organic American chocolates and a very special selection from Germany. With special thanks to Gordons Garden Center for the Spring floral color. These chocolate mice in a ‘cheese’ box make a fun gift for...

Beyond Organic Raw Cashew Butter

Health Benefits of Cashew Butter Most nut butters offer some nutrients, but cashew butter is one of the healthiest forms you can choose. While the below are some of the health benefits you can get from eating cashew butter, there are many more where these came from....