History

The Skagit Valley Food Co-op started in a Presbyterian church basement, across from the County Courthouse in Mount Vernon, Washington, in 1973. Like other food co-ops and buying clubs throughout the country, the Co-op was a way for people to bring good food to their hometowns in an economic manner consistent with their social values. To see how much we've grown in the last 40 years, check out our timeline of accomplishments below:

Co-op History by the Numbers

    • 20,000+

      Current number of household owner-members

    • Two Moves
  • Five

    Expansions

Our Timeline

  • 1973 The Co-op opened as a buying club in a Presbyterian church basement near downtown Mount Vernon
  • 1974 The Co-op moved to 2nd & Pine St., Mount Vernon
  • 1985 The Co-op moved to its current location on South First St & Division, in the Uptowne Center (renamed The Co-op Building in 2005)
  • 1988 The Deli opened on November 17
  • 1991 An Additional 4,000 sq. ft. on the first floor was added to retail space
  • 2001 Expanded retail space to utilize the entire first floor of the building & added Deli mezzanine seating
  • 2005 Purchased the building and renamed it “The Co-op Building”
  • 2007 Mercantile moved to the mezzanine
  • 2009 Co-op Building loan fully paid
  • 2010 First year Patronage dividends were declared & distributed to member-owners
  • 2013 Purchased Community Services Building from Skagit County. This property is adjacent to the Co-op and includes 58 parking spaces and a 6,500 sq ft building.
  • 2016 C•SQUARE and the Third Street Cafe opened September.
  • 2021 C•SQUARE and the Third Street Cafe closed in February. The C•SQUARE Building still houses the Co-op’s Bakery and other food production operations. Baked goods are available for sale in the Co-op.