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We are a member-owned and operated grocery store, or more specifically,
a Natural and Organic Market. We provide the highest quality food and other products we can find so that our customers have a selection of healthy choices in all their purchases.
We buy from local sources where ever we can to support them and our community. We participate in community activities and donate products
and money to local charities. Our volunteers and staff are all from the area surrounding Yelm.
We are staffed almost exclusively by volunteers. They perform all the functions we need to run the store from cashiering and stocking, to cleaning and store maintenance, data entry and inventory control, marketing and advertising, and on and on. They receive a small remuneration and great discounts on purchases. Look under the "Volunteer" tab to learn more.
We are open to the public, accept food stamps and honor other co-op memberships. As our way of supporting our service men and women and their family members, we offer them our member prices and all other buying privileges if they are in uniform or present their military ID card.
Here is an idea of what you will find in our Co-op:
• Organic fruits and vegetables
• Bulk foods and sprouting seeds
• Organic and raw milks and cheeses, goat's milk products
• Fresh local breads, cookies and pastries
• Organic and free-range eggs and meat
• Gourmet cheeses, Alaskan salmon, Specialty foods
• Special Gluten-free section
• Organic coffee, tea and juices coffee from local roasters
• Researched low toxicity Natural Health and Beauty products
• Environmentally safe household products
• Bulk purchases through our members-only Buy Club
So, you may be asking, "What is a Cooperative, or Co-op?" Here is the statement The International Cooperative Alliance, representing cooperatives around the world, approved in 1996, and this is our ideal:
Definition
A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.
Values
Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others.
The cooperative principles are guidelines by which cooperatives put their values into practice.
1. Voluntary and Open Membership
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination.
2. Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions.
3. Member Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative.
4. Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members.
5. Education, Training and Information
Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees, and they inform the general public about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
6. Cooperation among Co-operatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.
7. Concern for Community
While focusing on members' needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.
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Our Store
Located at:
404 First St SE
Yelm WA 98597
(360) 400-2210
Hours of Operation are:
Monday-Saturday 10am-7pm
food@yelmcoop.com
Mailing address:
PMB 92 PO Box 7530
Yelm, WA 98597 |
