Olympia Food Co-Op

Better than whole foods! Love the salad bar here so fresh and delicious! I can’t believe I haven’t come here for so long! The quinoa salad is great and the bulk section is awesome! Fresh produce you can’t go wrong with!

I was kind of disappointed in this Co-​op store. It seemed to not have as much variety at least in my mind as it’s equivalents in nearby towns yet it is very, very busy here. Parking in their lot was a near failure due to congestion and weekend shoppers.
I did get lucky and park in their lot though.
When I didn’t really see much that I wanted I was just ready to leave.
However I did find some delicious Veggie Chips that I have had in the past and decided to get those. As to be expected the cash register lanes had considerable lines and a staff member opened an additional register. People flocked to him like droves of fruit flies to freshly sliced fruit however he did notice that I was the first to leave the line when he said «Who is next». I thank you for that!
I get Co-​ops are often in places where other grocery markets were before. Often times they are not in new spaces, sometimes they are. I wasn’t expecting a Whole Foods experience in a fresh, new store but I wasn’t counting on being so claustrophobic during the whole time either.

The Olympia Food Co-​Op is awesome. It’s a great place to stop by if you’re traveling between Portland and Seattle and need a quick snack, drink, or meal to hold you over.
The Olympia Food Co-​op does not require it’s customers to have a membership, so anyone can shop there! There is also lots of free parking out front.
The Co-​op is similar to Madison Market in Seattle in terms of selection and values. They sell lots of organic fruits and vegetables and try to sell items that are local and in-​season. If you have a specific diet (gluten free, vegan, dairy-​free, etc.), you can find a lot of basic necessities here such as gluten-​free noodles, dairy-​free cheese alternatives, and bulk items.
This is a super cool store and worth checking out.

anti Israel and anti semitic! Why would anyone support these racists? BDS just means folks in Gaza lose good jobs… Shame on you.

The Olympia food co-​op stole my heart years ago. This is literally the only place I buy my groceries. I feel great shopping at the co-​op because they support local farmers, fair-​trade products, and have a great selection of organic produce — not to mention the other vast amounts of food. I love how they have so many great bulk selections too (there’s not many places you can go to refill your olive oil, PB, spices etc. but you can at the co-​op! Which is another reason I love it — you can choose to reduce your waste). Like I said they have everything you need at the co-​op!
Also, the co-​op is a non-​profit cooperative, not a for-​profit business. They have amazing opportunities for the community! Including volunteer opportunities. I started volunteering a couple months ago and I love it!
Sometimes I hear about people complaining about food co-​ops being expensive. That is not my experience at the co-​op! They have very reasonable prices, and on top of that, they have very accessible memberships and discounts! For example: Low income, senior, disability automatically get 10% off their groceries! Oh and volunteers get 25% off!
Anyways, I could write a whole essay about how AMAZING the Olympia food co-​op is! You are what you eat, and since I eat food from the co-​op I am HAPPY and HEALTHY!

I love shopping at the co-​op and buy most of my produce and bulk goods there. Comparison shoppers will find the produce, locally made products, and bulk items priced very competitively. In addition, they take a lot of care in stocking items from producers that provide fair wages and socially just working conditions.
People from all walks of life shop at the co-​op. I moved to Olympia, not knowing many people, and found the co-​op to be a very welcoming, quirky space with a great selection. It’s a worker collective, one of the only of it’s size in the United States, and the staff is deeply in-​tune with the needs of the greater Olympia community. Besides offering traditional grocery services, the co-​op also hosts a variety of cooking, fermenting, and gardening workshops. Members have the option of working volunteer hours to earn monthly discounts and all customers play a role in shaping the future of the co-​op.
It’s a great place to do your regular shopping, grab a quick bite, or roll through to restock while on a road trip.

I only grow to love the coop more and more each year! If you want fresh, organic, healthy food this is the place to go! They also make efforts to buy locally. They have lots of things like gluten free brownie mixes, locally baked bread, and decadent amazing ice creams, but I go for the organic produce and the killer bulk section with all kinds of spices and dried fruit and nuts and all kinds of foods. If you shop smart, it isn’t that much more expensive, and certainly beats spending money on doctors for illness. The place is run by some staff but also a lot of volunteers. I have never had anybody here be rude to me, but if you treat them like they ought to serve you, I would not be surprised if you got a rude reaction. It is kind of like you are walking into somebody else’s home, a very welcoming home. If you are low income, senior, or volunteer, you can get some great discounts!

I cannot in good conscience support a business that so blatantly discriminates against Jews. No one needs to support Israel, but when the words Jew and Israeli are used interchangeably it’s either ignorance (which I doubt) or just obvious agenda pushing. I’m appalled by the hatred in this co-​op, and in Olympia in general.

Well, the Pacific location is better than the Rogers Street location, but the local co-​ops still have a long way to go.
Don’t get me wrong — I’m very thankful for the mere existence of the co-​ops, because I despise the idea of having to shop at stores like Safeway, or even Haggen… Instead, I choose to shop at the local Olympia co-​ops because I want to buy the products they offer, and there aren’t any better alternatives, such as Seattle’s PCC Markets, or even a Whole Foods. (Anyone who’s ever experienced a PCC will know what I’m talking about!)
It is unfortunate that Oly’s co-​ops can’t offer a «classier» shopping experience, like the Port Townsend co-​op, or even the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-​op. And they don’t even sell beer and wine, AND there’s no deli. (The Pacific location does at least have a salad and soup bar, although I’ve seen parents allowing their kids to put their hands all over the place, including the surfaces of the salad bar, IN the food, the serving utensils, etc. Yuck.) The west-​side location is so dirty that I actually clean the items from the shelves off before I put them in my pantry, because I’ve seen the floors being swept so vigorously that anything on them goes airborne and lands on every other surface… for some reason the Pacific location isn’t that bad.
Here’s another thing — has anyone other than me ever asked for the store manager? I’ve been told at both store locations «Oh we don’t have managers, we’re all managers!» I was asking for the manager at the Rogers street location so that I could notify them of the WARM DAIRY issue, after purchasing spoiled milk and veganaise numerous times… of course their answer to that problem was «Oh just take it from the back of the shelf.» Umm, seriously? Pacific doesn’t seem to have an issue with warm refrigerated items, but regardless, I’ve yet to get a real answer when asking for a manager! Whatever type of management system/​hierarchy they have in place (apparently none!) — it’s a joke.
There is one local alternative though, a small store called «Farm Fresh Market,» which is on Black Lake, across from the Ken Lake development. It’s a lovely little store, which also offers organic rotisserie chickens! It’s CLEAN, the items on the shelves are clean as well, and you don’t have to write down the codes for some Greener volunteer to cop an attitude over if you miss one. The owner is friendly and receptive to input, and the employees are as well. Unfortunately, this store is so small that they aren’t able to offer all the items the co-​ops do, but I have switched to going there over the co-​op for everything I possibly can.

I really enjoyed this place! They have many vegan options and the prices are great! I brought some organic blueberries and they are wonderful! They have a nice lunch bar with really great options. Everyone was nice and it was pretty busy in there for a Wednesday at 10am. I may be moving to the Brinnon area and if so I will come back here for my food for sure!

They need to stop skirting labor laws and hire people instead of using volunteers that never seem to know what’s going on. Prices are way hirer than other stores in area even with membership that I really don’t know what it does. Tired of uppity attitudes, some people are friendly but if you don’t have the look they want, are generally rude or afraid of you. I want to like the co-​op but way to small and dirty compared to others in the state. Fred Meyer down the street has all the same things only cheaper and friendlier.

First time I had ever been to the co-​op. Kind of excited to be honest. Walked in with nothing really to buy but just to see what was available at the store. I spent a good 25 minutes in the store looking at all of the goods. In that time frame not once did any of the employees that I walked by or made eye contact with said hi to me or asked if I needed any to find anything. I find it a bit ridiculous that no one said one word to me. I don’t think I’ll be visiting again.

I wish I had one of these near my home. This store provides so many healthy options. I especially love the nut, dried fruit, and grain dispensing area. Even if you’re not getting groceries, this is a great spot to pick up a healthy lunch. They even have indoor seating to enjoy your lunch.
Tip: bring your own bags.
Members get a discount but prices are still affordable without it

Selling soup by the pound its insane and greedy :-)
They also have some office downtown to run the two coops in this city … I can safely call it corporate greed …

I love this Co-​Op! When I shopped here for the first time I absolutely disliked it! I disliked it because it was small, expensive, because it was cramped, because it was weird and because they charged me for not being a member! I found at that time PCC, Whole Foods and Marlene’s Market were so much better!
But then, I needed organic whole foods, so I started shopping there, I became a member and I absolutely LOVE it! Being an accountant I did price comparison and their fruits and vegetables are cheaper than at the farmers market. They are selling a lot of local produce which I truly appreciate!
When it comes to raw whole foods I prefer to shop here over any big whole foods market because it is LOCAL, because it comes from places around.
Are there things they could have done better? ABSOLUTELY! I am not entirely impressed with their dried produce section. Sometimes produce is not all that great. But in general I love it and am really grateful we have it here in Lacey!
I do not shop there for everything. It is quite rare when you can find everything in one spot. But between that place and farmer’s market (which is by the way more expensive) I am very satisfied!
When it comes to meats I go to Stuart’s and order in bulk there or go directly to the farmer.
Yes sometimes I encountered rude people there, but there are rude people everywhere. I also encountered some really nice ones there!
And one last thing. I absolutely ADMIRE their support for Palestine and condemning Israeli crimes! It is sad that everyone who doesn’t support Israel’s take over Palestinian territories is automatically labeled «anti-​Semitic». Please try to do more research and look at that from more objective perspective.

Weird vibes toward minorities (either avoidance or creepy stares) and flies of all sizes in dining area. No pen in bulk section, and salad bar food was blah. Glad I don’t live in Olympia and am not limited to «co-​ops» like this. Places like this give“crunchy” people and lifestyle a bad reputation! Glad to be returning to PCC and Whole Foods at last!

As a child who grew up with a macrobiotic/​herbalist mom and have lived allover the country. let me tell you — I have seen a lot of co ops and faux co-​ops like Tj’s and Whole foods. PCC in Seattle in the 80’s and 90’s is a good example of a well done co-​op. This one is mediocre and very very small, and I used to go here but then I found out they are anti-​semitic, like nazi Germany «Don’t shop at the Jew shop» anti semitic.
They managed to call for and successfully implement a boycott of a Jewish deli downtown Oly to boycott israel. First of all, the owners of the Deli (Kitzel’s) were opposed to Israel’s policies, secondly why would you shut down a restaurant that is a small business trying to locally source? Because they’re Nazis. And you get this feeling when you walk in, everyone is just holier than thou. Anyways, end rant, just shame on this establishment for taking on Nazi ideals and shame on the Oly community for perpetuating it. Washington is racist to the core if you read our history and know where Olympia especially is coming from (police brutality and farm folk/​logger rabid Republicans).
and also the store DOES smell really weird. I wouldn’t say it was rotten cabbage bad like the prev reviewer (i lol’d) but it does have a noticeable odor that is not that appealing. BTW if you like Whole Foods just go to TOP — they are huge and have one of the most reputable meat departments in Oly aside from Western Meats and Olympia Seafood Company.
Also I agree with the former commenter about the frozen meat. One worker when I asked where their ground buffalo was (hello, I’m Lakota you self righteous European outlander) said «WELL, if you want that sort of thing it would be over here» and she pointed me to their gross looking frozen meat partition. I hate this place. and I hate fake self righteous hippy dippies who are just another American Nazi with a SELF ABSORBED FASCIST NARROW MINDED SELF RIGHTEOUS AGENDA

Completely agree with Connie H’s review.
I live in Portland but am stuck up at Fort Lewis for a couple weeks. I ventured down to Olympia because I love shopping at co-​ops and this place was rated better than the co-​op in Tacoma.
The place is a decent size which is the only nice thing I can say. There seems to be somewhat of a selection of locally produced items but there are also a lot of items that are at the commissary (!!!) so that was a bit disappointing. The produce also didn’t look great so I avoided buying any.
Every employee I saw completely ignored every customer around and kept their eyes on whatever it was they happened to be doing. The icing on the cake was the downright nasty look on the cashier’s face the whole time he was checking me out. He was just so sullen and unfriendly and seemed to be actually making an effort not speak one single word.
Most expensive co-​op I have shopped at with the most uncomfortable atmosphere. Very negative impression, won’t be back.

I totally agree with most of the low star ratings on this co-​op. Not only is everything more expensive than whole foods, famers markets, and Ralphs Thriftway even! My first impression on why I would ever want to shop anywhere is their employees as well as prices.
The employees are absolutely rude and very intolerant of people. The few times I have shopped here I was asked if I did have a membership, after telling them no, I’ve gotten a long and uncomfortable glare from them, as well as the usual eye rolling.
Also, back when I use to be a cigarette smoker which I’m not anymore, I had some sitting in my pocket and the cashier pointed at my pocket and said «Ah, I see you’re good at kissing the governments ass.» as if it’s any of his business what I do with my life. I also overhear conversations between employees over being anti soldier and all the terrible things they say about them dying and deserving it, I guess I can stop there but it’s pretty self explanatory how miserable, rude and intolerant these people. And it’s too bad because when I need to buy something only sold at co-​ops, I’m out of luck unless I want to deal with the negative spirit these people hold. While spending way too much money.
Also, it quite an unsanitary place and I wouldn’t feel comfortable buying produce. I’d much rather by it from Winco and that’s a pretty bad thing to say!
I tell anyone who hasn’t been here to not go here. And I too will always avoid this misery fest.

I LOVE this store, it’s like a miniature Whole Foods, but WAY cheaper, the produce is fresher & they also carry organic brussels sprouts, which I’ve always been told don’t exist in California. EVERYTHING is organic in the produce dept. and they have tons of vegan products & all kinds of natural body care products as well.
Since I don’t live in Washington, I didn’t pay for the membership, and they add 10% to your bill if you aren’t a member. I’ll probably get it next time I visit, because the prices are great & can’t really be beat!
They had awesome frozen salmon burgers & other seafood items available, which tasted amazing! They don’t have grocery bags here, so make sure you bring your own or you can purchase some reusable ones from them.