Community Food Co-op

Voted Bellingham's best grocery store. Full-service deli, hot bar, salad bar featuring organic, local, and natural foods. Everyone can shop, anyone can join. Co+op, stronger together.

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7 Ways to Save at Your Co-op

7 ways to save at your co-op

In our recent price comparison story, you can see how prices at the Co-op are already comparable to our competitors. In fact, prices are often considerably lower than at other local stores. But, who doesn’t want to save even more money?

Here are seven simple ways to save at the Co-op.

FOR ALL SHOPPERS

Co+op Basics

co-op basics logo

Our lowest prices on everyday basics in every department. Look for signs in our stores.

Fresh Deals

fresh deals logo

Sales in produce, meat, deli, specialty cheese, and bakery. Posted in the foyer every Wednesday and on our website.

Co+op Deals

co-op deals logo

60+ items on sale every day. Look for signs in our stores. Twice-monthly sales flyer in stores and on our website.

Coupon Books

hand holding co-op deals coupon book

Co+op Deals coupon books are issued every two months. Coupons books in stores and can be viewed on our website.

Double Savings

hand reaching for coupon next to sale sign

Sale items + coupons = double savings. Look for signs in our stores.

FOR CO-OP MEMBER-OWNERS

Special Orders

staff holding a special order box

Order by the case at the service desk.
Tip: Place special orders when products are on sale for the greatest savings.

Owner Coupons

scissors with volume discount saving coupon

Owner Appreciation Coupons are issued three times per year. Published in our In Season magazine.

Downtown Market Walk at the Co-op

Downtown store from 11 am to 3 pm—

Music
11:30 am Tracy Spring (folk)
1:30 pm Louis Ledford (Americana Roots)

Samples & Specials
Sauk Farm dried Honeycrisp apples, grape cider, and apple cider
Grilled Uli's Famous Sausage
Additional samples throughout the store

Bakery Cafe Patio (3 to 4:30 pm)—

Music
Threefer featuring Chuck Dingee, Sharon Mayson, and Katie Weed

Bakery Cafe Patio Specials
$1 Flying Bird iced tea, housemade lemonade, housemade tea palmers
$2 Toddy double shots

Kid Activities
Fun with Felix!

Big News! Meat Department Drops Prices on 80-plus Items

by Laura Steiger, Outreach Team

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Come in to check out the new lower prices in our meat department.

We dropped prices by up to 30 percent on more than 80 products, and they are the products that you use the most, including chicken, beef, and pork.

The price drop is yet one more way that the Co-op is working to fulfill our strategic plan goal to make high-quality, nutritious, and affordable food more accessible to all.

you can trust that every item satisfies our meat guarantee

Plus, you can trust that every item satisfies our meat guarantee to be free of added MSG and added nitrites and nitrates (except those naturally occurring in celery and sea salt); free of antibiotics; and free of added hormones and growth promoters.

If you don’t see the particular cut of meat you’re shopping for, ask our knowledgeable meat cutters. They are always happy to make recommendations or place a special order for whatever you need to make your next dinner exceptional.

Stop by the store soon and see for yourself how the Co-op is making changes to better serve you—our member-owners and shoppers.

Co+op Basics: Eat Good Food & Save Money at the Co-op

by Adrienne Renz, Outreach Manager

co-op basics sticker icon

Our lowest prices, every day, on a variety of popular grocery and household staples.

It is possible to eat well and save money!

To make your dollars stretch further at the Co-op, we significantly lowered prices on more than 100 products throughout our stores with our new Co+op Basics program.

Co+op Basics offer our lowest prices, every day, on a variety of popular grocery and household staples—the building blocks for hearty meals and day-to-day living. Look for the purple Co+op Basics signs on products like pasta, beans, butter, cleaning supplies, baby formula, flour, milk, eggs, and more.

Co+op Basics has now replaced Co+op Essentials—a similar program we introduced a couple of years ago. Both pricing programs offered everyday low prices throughout the store, but Co+op Basics has some big advantages.

  • The number of low price items has significantly increased.
  • Savings throughout our stores, look for the purple signs.
  • More people will have access to healthy food. The low price is the same for everyone, whether they are members or not.
  • AND member-owners can save even more money when
    they special order by the case at the new low price.

Don’t worry, we aren’t paying our farmers or employees any less.

We’re working with food co-ops across the country, using the strength of our group buying power to negotiate lower prices for all co-op shoppers.

The program may look different at other co-ops, but in our stores you’ll find more than 100 Co+op Basics items, and the selection will continue to grow over the next few months. Look for Co+op Basics when you shop, or ask a friendly staff member to help you locate these money-saving products.

Every time you shop at the Co-op you vote with your dollars to support our local community and participate in our BIG goals to grow the co-op economy, grow our local food system, and increase healthy food access.

Thanks to money-saving programs like Co+op Basics we don’t need to sacrifice our budgets to live our values.

Co-op staff is always working to bring you the best prices on the quality products Co-op shoppers want and expect (read our price comparison story to see how we stack up against other grocers).

We look forward to serving you and making your Co-op experience the best it can be.

Co+op Basics FAQs

Q: When are these deals available?
A: Every day! No sales dates or other restrictions.

Q: Can I use manufacturer’s coupons?
A: Absolutely! If you find a manufacturer’s coupon in the paper or online, feel free to redeem it at either of our stores.

Q: Can I special order cases or use my Member-Owner Appreciation Coupon?A: Yes, and all purchases will count toward your patronage rebate.

Q: How can I leave feedback about Co+op Basics?
A: Leave a comment at the service desk. As Whatcom County’s only community-owned grocer, your input matters!

Learn about all the ways you can save money and see what's currently on sale at the Co-op.

Savvy Shopping at the Co-op

by Laura Steiger, Outreach Team

double savings, savvy shopping, sales, deals, co+op deals, savings,

Using Double Savings coupons is just one way to save money when shopping at the Co-op.

It’s a new year, a time when people often take a close look at their bottom line (and their waistline) following year-end festivities and gift giving.

We know that Co-op shoppers want to purchase healthful, quality food that is local, organic, additive free, and sustainably grown. Sometimes that may come with a slightly higher price tag than shopping for the cheapest possible foodstuff at your local big box grocer.

But, there are many ways you can maximize your grocery purchases at the Co-op and still stay within your budget.

Savings for Everyone:

Co+op Basics (formerly Co+op Essentials)

_savvyshopping-basicstag-0299The Co+op Basics program maintains low pricing on everyday items for all Co-op shoppers—every day! Canned foods and other grocery items, bulk products, fresh produce, dairy, eggs, and wellness items. Find savings in every department in our stores.

Savvy Shopper Tip: Save an extra 15% off the already reduced price when you special order Co+op Basics by the case!

_coop_deals_jan_2016_poster_west_aCo+op Deals flyer

Look for the twice-monthly Co+op Deals flyer in our stores and on our website to discover what’s on sale. No coupon needed to save on Co+op Deals.

_coop_deals_coupon_book_jan_feb2016_color_coverCo+op Deals coupon books

Pick up a bi-monthly Co+op Deals coupon book in our stores for extra coupon savings. We also post a courtesy copy of the coupon book on our website for your reference.

Double Savings

Look for Double Savings signs throughout our stores for savings up to and sometimes exceeding 50% off shelf prices. Double Savings offer a coupon in addition to an already reduced sale price.

Chinook Book Seattle/Puget Sound

_chinook_bookGrab your smart phone and subscribe to the Chinook Book app for coupon savings on many products sold at the Co-op (and other local retailers). Just select Community Food Co-op as your local grocer to get coupons specific to our store. No smart phone, no problem! You can also order a print coupon book at chinookbook.com.

Savings for Co-op Member-Owners:

Volume Discount Coupons

_savvyshopping-volumediscount-7855Owner Appreciation Volume Discount Coupons are published in our In Season magazine in February, July, and October. The coupon offers 5% to 15% off your total purchase at the register.

Savvy Shopper Tip: Plan to stock up during the Volume Discount Coupon redemption period for the greatest savings.

Special Orders

Co-op member-owners can special order grocery products by the case for 15% off the shelf price and bulk products for a 20% discount. Place your special orders for grocery and bulk goods at the service desk. Wellness offers a 25% discount when ordering three of the same item. Produce offers a 20% discount on case orders, when in season and available (a popular option for canners).

Flash Sales

Check our Facebook and Twitter regularly and sign up for the Co-op E-news (from our website or Facebook) to learn about upcoming flash sales starting in February. We purchase a quantity of one item at a deeply discounted price and pass on the savings to our member-owners. These deals can sell out in a flash, so get ’em while they last.

If you ever have any questions about being a savvy Co-op shopper, just ask at the service desk. We’re happy to help you discover how to get the most out of your Co-op shopping trip.

Big Deals Found in DOUBLE SAVINGS

by Adrienne Renz, Outreach Team

Every day Co-op shoppers can find discounted prices on many items throughout our stores. But to find the best deals, simply look for DOUBLE SAVINGS signs.

With DOUBLE SAVINGS shoppers save twice! First—save with the already discounted sale price; second—redeem the posted coupon for savings in addition to the sale price. DOUBLE SAVINGS discounts range from 35 to 65 percent and are available to all Co-op shoppers (regardless of membership status).

So, take a tip from me and shop like a Co-op staffer—look for the DOUBLE SAVINGS signs, grab a coupon, and stock up on the best deals at the Co-op. Coupons often follow seasonal shopping needs. In August I’ll be keeping an eye out for DOUBLE SAVINGS on school lunch items, so I can save big while stocking up for the school year.

Local Vendor Profile: Tortillas Con Madre

Lupita Nava grew up eating freshly made tortillas with every meal. Now you can enjoy her locally made tortillas based on a family recipe and enhanced with the healthiest ingredients.

Local Vendor: Ferndale Farmstead Artisan Cheese

The Ferndale Farmstead Artisan Cheese story really begins in the seeds and soil of this family operated seed-to-cheese farm where every piece of cheese is carefully crafted by hand using authentic Italian recipes, and a blend of old-world technique and a gleaming array of state-of-the-art equipment.

5 Summer Adventure Essentials

Get these 5 summer adventure essentials at the Co-op and hike, bike, paddle, picnic, and otherwise enjoy the great outdoors. Take a picture of your Co-op gear in the wild and share it to our social media.

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get connected and save - click here to sign up for our e-news

DOWNTOWN STORE & DELI • map • 360-734-8158 • 7 am – 10 pm
CO-OP BAKERY CAFÉ and CONNECTIONS BUILDING CLASSROOM • map • 360-734-8158 • Bakery Café: 7 am – 4 pm
CORDATA STORE & DELI and LOCAL ROOTS ROOM • map • 360-734-8158 • 7 am – 9 pm