Our Buying Practices
Our product guidelines are an extension of our mission and values, providing a framework for translating the Co-op’s ideals into the selection of goods in our store. These guidelines support the Co-op’s goal of providing a broad range of pure, whole, staple foods and other essential items at a reasonable price.
The Food Co-op will only buy products that meet or exceed our product guidelines, including acceptable ingredients. Click here for a full list of unacceptable ingredients.
Please note that the Co-op will not stock any new non-organic products that include ingredients that have a high risk of being GMO—alfalfa, canola, corn, cotton, soy, or sugar beets—unless they are enrolled in the Non-GMO Project or you can provide a signed affidavit stating the products do not contain GMOs.
Important Considerations to The Food Co-op:
Product Qualities (such as organic or non-GMO)
Commitment to Local and Regional Foods
Environmental Sustainability (including packaging)
Fair Treatment of Workers
Strengthening the Co-op Movement
local products
We aim to “give local twice the love.” We do this by promoting local online and in the store using additional signage and vendor profiles, sharing vendor stories in our blogs and quarterly publications, supporting in-store demos, and adjusting our profit margin on local products when possible so they can be priced competitively with national brands.
The Food Co-op labels products that are grown or produced in Jefferson, Kitsap, Island, Mason, or Clallam Counties as Local 5. We also highlight products grown or produced in Washington state as Local WA.
Please note: While we aim to carry as many local products as possible, some categories are essentially maxed out. We encourage you to visit our store to see if your products offer unique attributes that aren’t currently available in our store.
Pricing
As stated above, we support our local and regional food economy. We believe that we can be successful in these efforts when we are able to work with vendors to find a balance between quality and affordability. We want to offer quality products at reasonable prices.
If you have a product to sell us, we hope you will consider this value proposition. We understand you are likely a small-scale producer and thus have higher production costs. If you are able to provide us with a high-quality product that is reasonably priced, you will be able to reach the widest range of customers, and thus have the highest potential for success selling your products at The Food Co-op.
The Co-op reserves the right to set the shelf/retail price of products. Just as you know your costs best, we know ours, and we set appropriate margins to meet our operating expenses while providing a fair price to the shopper.
Please be aware that if a product doesn't demonstrate salability within a 6-month period, the product may be sold at a discounted price and not be re-ordered.