Why I Love Summer in the Pacific Northwest
Hey Co-op Shoppers,
I wanted to take a moment to celebrate this place we call home. The Pacific Northwest has some of the sweetest, juiciest, most flavorful fruit in the U.S. The soil in Whatcom and Skagit Counties is something of a quiet miracle. It’s shaped by ancient glaciers, nourished by gentle rains, and alive with the kind of microbial richness that only time and perfect conditions create. Generations of farmers steward our fertile valleys, tending orchards and farms to cultivate the complex sugars and vibrant flavors of each harvest. No wonder the berries are sweeter, the greens more tender, and the carrots are like sunshine pulled from the earth. In this corner of the world, the soil doesn’t just grow food — it grows edible treasures.
One thing that sets the Co-op apart from all the other grocers in town is our deep, genuine support of local farms. “Local” has become a marketing buzzword in recent years, but for us, it’s not a slogan — it’s how we operate.
Every winter, we meet face-to-face with our farmers to plan the season: Who’s growing what, when it’s coming in, and how we can work together to bring you the freshest, most delicious food possible. This collaborative approach is one of the great joys of our work, and it’s a big part of why our Produce Department shines.
Still, farming today is harder than ever with rising costs, razor-thin margins, skyrocketing land prices, unpredictable weather, water scarcity, labor shortages, shifting immigration policies, and the mental toll of constant uncertainty. We’re all feeling the pinch of tight budgets, but every time you choose to shop at the Co-op, you’re casting a vote for local farmers, farmland preservation, and a more resilient food system. If we don’t prioritize supporting local farms now, many won’t survive. Once farmland is lost to condos and strip malls, it’s gone forever.
By thinking of farmers not just as food producers but as essential to our health, economy, and future, we help ensure that local agriculture thrives — for this generation and the next.
What’s in Season Now
MELON
Melon season is here in all its glory, and the produce aisle smells like summer. Right now, we have Snow Leopard melons from Walchli Farms in Hermiston, Ore. They’re crisp and juicy, with delicate white flesh and a speckled skin that looks as pretty as it tastes. Cantaloupes are at their sweetest, thanks to Ag Development Farm near Pasco, Wash., where the sandy loam soil and hot, dry days draw out every bit of natural sugar.
For the true melon maven, don’t miss our Galia, Piel de Sapo, and Charentais varieties. Charentais are a special treat — they are grown with little to no water at the end of their season so the plant pours all its energy into the fruit, creating a rich, concentrated flavor you’ll dream about long after the season ends.
CORN
Fresh-picked sweet corn is rolling in from Hedlin Farms in La Conner, with more on the way from Nottinghamshire Farm in St. Paul, Ore. Grown by farmers we know and love, these ears are tender, golden, and ready for the grill, the soup pot, or straight off the cob. Summer’s clock is ticking, though — corn season will be over in just a few weeks, so enjoy it now!
Other Summer Standouts
- Organic White & Yellow Peaches from Brownfield Orchard in Chelan.
- Local Organic Beefsteak Tomatoes from Well Fed Farms in Skagit, Moondance Farm in Acme, and Spring Time Farm in Everson — perfect for tomato sandwiches.
- New Crop Organic Ginger Gold Apples from Brownfield — bright, crisp, and full of that first-harvest zing.
Celebrate Summer and the Co-op
Mark your calendars — our 55th Anniversary Celebration is happening September 6 from 2 to 7 p.m. at Kulshan Trackside. Expect circus performers, live music, and our special anniversary beer, Love Child, crafted by Kulshan Brewing Company!
I’ll leave you with a favorite quote from Wendell Berry: “The care of the earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all, our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it, and to foster its renewal, is our only legitimate hope.”
With gratitude,
Lisa Sedlar
CEO/GM
