Shop to benefit Communities in Schools of Whatcom County, our April SEED recipient. Two percent of the Co-op's total sales from this day will be donated. Round up your purchase at the register any day in April to benefit Communities in Schools of Whatcom County.
2% Saturday Community Shopping Day
Shop to benefit Let’s Move! Blaine, our March SEED recipient. Two percent of the Co-op's total sales from this day will be donated. Round up your purchase at the register any day in March to benefit Let’s Move! Blaine.
2% Saturday Community Shopping Day
Shop to benefit Whatcom Human Rights Task Force, our January SEED recipient. Two percent of the Co-op's total sales from this day will be donated. Round up your purchase at the register any day in January to benefit WHRTF.
2016 Community Food Co-op Impact Report
by Melissa Elkins, Sustainability Program Coordinator
Sharing the results from our sustainability tracking informs Co-op staff and shoppers on ways we can work even harder to improve our already strong environmental business practices.
To that end, we have updated the format of our abridged annual sustainability report! You can read it online.
Or, dig into details in the full report on the Sustainability at the Co-op page.
2016 Community Cooperator of the Year
by Karl Meyer, Outreach Team
January 2017
Congratulations to the Community Food Co-op’s Community Cooperator of the Year—Mardi Soloman!
Over the years the Co-op has given this award to some of our most beloved community members and organizers. These Cooperators bring people together, create a sense of community, improve the quality of life of everyone around them, explore common values, and publicly share their knowledge, wisdom, and skills. And they always seem to be the kind, caring, and heartfelt people that we are so lucky and grateful to have living among us.
I can’t say enough great things about Mardi and the impact she has had on our community.
Mardi’s main focus right now is to help Whatcom Farm to School continue to grow and tackle even more important projects. What is Farm to School? The website says it best.
“It’s a movement. It’s a partnership. It’s a meeting of minds and hearts all focused on finding practical ways to get more fresh and local food into school meals, and teaching children to learn to love healthy food.”
What could be more important than that?
Mardi sees herself as a connection maker and I can attest to that as she helped me launch the Co-op’s “The Real Food Show,” which has now been seen by over 15,000 kids in 43 schools. She set me up with the right people to talk to and has opened doors for many in similar situations.
She listens to the needs of others and helps determine the best way to make things happen.
Mardi is involved in and connected with a myriad of organizations in our area—too many to list—that are focused on the health and well-being of our children and the community.
Her latest project is working on a statewide Farm to School network. “By increasing connections and communication, all our programs will rise,” said Mardi.
Though Mardi’s current connections are impressive, they were nearly eclipsed by her much earlier almost brush with fame while attending Occidental College with fellow student Barak Obama. But, Mardi and Barak never crossed paths as youthful college students.
It is with much gratitude that we award Mardi Solomon with the 2016 Community Cooperator of the Year award. Congratulations, Mardi!
Congratulations to the other Community Cooperator nominees: Dan Van Dyken, Elka Fink, and Susan Toch.
Our thanks to everyone who took a moment to share their nominations for Cooperator of the Year awards. The Co-op is pleased to recognize the contributions of community members and Co-op Board and staff with these annual awards.
Learn More
Learn more about Whatcom Farm to School at whatcomfarmtoschool.org.
What People Are Saying About Us
Recent Facebook Reviews
“I love to know I can go get a hot and healthy meal in minutes. The CO-OP is a place to go for those who love locally sourced, convenient products, and a sense of home and community.”
“I love that I can go in with a question and always come out with it answered.”
“I LOVE my community Co-op! All the best organically grown foods, knowledgeable staff, friendly service!”
Why Our New Owners Joined the Co-op
“New to town. Important to me to engage in community and support local business.”
“Because it’s the best store ever—excellent zero waste options, community mission, local food, produce well-labeled.”
“I shop here regularly and love the selection and friendly, positive atmosphere.”
“I wanted to increase my options for organic, whole, gluten-free food. I also wanted to support our local growers and community.”
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Yelpers Like Us, Too
“With plentiful options and unique dishes, the deli is the perfect place to go for a lunch break.” –Keith C, Bellingham
“Great selection of spices and (other baking essentials) in their bulk bins! We bought our turkey here for Thanksgiving. We were planning a meal for two. We were looking for a single turkey breast. They had the awesome Mary’s turkeys and a worker very nicely told us that we could indeed buy just a breast and advised us when to come in to get it. And that is how the Co-op saved Thanksgiving
for us.” –Becky W, Bellingham
“We love the Community Food Co-op! We have been shopping here for years. First at the downtown location, and then at Cordata when it opened. We love everything … the produce, seafood, meats, bakery, deli. The staff is great … we love the deli staff and the checkers. We live in Skagit County now, and we still drive up every other week to shop at Cordata location.” –Jeanne O, Anacortes
Comments from our Website
“The cashier Samuel—he is very friendly and welcoming. He always greets me with a smile and easily converses. Today I observed him being very friendly, sincere and welcoming to a woman who said it was her first time in the store. She was a little flustered learning how to use her card and helping her companion. Samuel was very patient and I know made her feel at ease.”
Response: Wow that’s great to hear! Thanks for taking the time to share, we think Samuel is pretty terrific also!
“Tim is the best wine guy in the city! I’m a professor, a connoisseur, and from a French family, so we know wine! Tim has excellent customer service, and he really knows his wine very well! I only shop for wine at Cordata now because Tim is so great! Thanks Tim!”
Response: That is wonderful. We all love him here too.
“Paul in the meat department is a GREAT resource! I asked him about the difference between two labels and he knew absolutely everything about the ingredients and preparations. Thank you!”
Response: That’s great to hear! Paul is the meat department assistant manager and has been with us for several years. He is absolutely a great resource on all of our products. I’m glad you had such a great interaction. I will surely pass on the feedback! Thanks for taking the time to share your experience!
“Sam in the deli is incredible! He helped me feel welcome and got me fixed up real quick with food when I was faint from hunger.”
Response: Thank you so much for sharing! I’m not surprised to hear your feedback—Sam is an outstanding member of our team, and I made his day by passing on your kudos. See you again soon!
“I sampled your Black Beauties last week and loved them (brownies made with black beans). Is it possible to get the recipe?”
Response: You got it!
Community Shopping Day: Whatcom Civil Rights Project
Shop the third Saturday of the month to support Community Shopping Day (CSD) organizations. Two percent of the Co-op's total sales will be donated on this day. Round up your purchases any day during the month to Donate the Difference, and 100% of your donation will directly benefit the CSD of the month.
Representatives from the organization will be in both stores from 1 to 4 pm.
Community Shopping Day: Bellingham Giving Circle
Shop the third Saturday of the month to support Community Shopping Day (CSD) organizations. Two percent of the Co-op's total sales will be donated on this day. Round up your purchases any day during the month to Donate the Difference, and 100% of your donation will directly benefit the CSD of the month.
Representatives from the organization will be in both stores from 1 to 4 pm.
Community Shopping Day: Whatcom County Farmland Preservation Fund
Shop the third Saturday of the month to support Community Shopping Day (CSD) organizations. Two percent of the Co-op's total sales will be donated on this day. Round up your purchases any day during the month to Donate the Difference, and 100% of your donation will directly benefit the CSD of the month.
Representatives from the organization will be in both stores from 1 to 4 pm.
Community Shopping Day: Orca Food Pantry by WCC Foundation
Shop the third Saturday of the month to support Community Shopping Day (CSD) organizations. Two percent of the Co-op's total sales will be donated on this day. Round up your purchases any day during the month to Donate the Difference, and 100% of your donation will directly benefit the CSD of the month.
Representatives from the organization will be in both stores from 1 to 4 pm.
