Buying Guidelines

We strive to be a community resource of information and tools for shoppers to make good choices. We are exceptional supporters of organics, locally sourced food, and the movement to label GMOs. Our intention is to be the store where you can feel confident that the products you pick from our shelves are ethically sourced and produced in a manner respectful to Earth and its inhabitants. We believe that it is critical that we know where our food comes from, and to verify that the sources are in alignment with the values of our community.

Our Buying Emphasis:

  • Fresh and delicious food
  • Basic whole foods
  • Organically grown products
  • Minimal packaging wherever possible
  • Products that are cooperatively produced and/or distributed
  • Products that are grown, produced, distributed locally
  • Items which are Third Party Certified by organizations that align with our values (such as the Non-GMO Verified Project)
  • Foods that satisfy limited and special diets
  • Foods with cultural relevance and authenticity
  • Non-toxic, environmentally-sound household and body care products
  • High quality nutritional supplements
  • Products that are not tested on animals
  • Meat and dairy products from animals that are raised humanely, pastured, grass-fed, and without antibiotics or added recombinant bovine growth hormones (RBGH)
  • Wild and responsibly harvested seafood

Grocery Buying Standards

buying-standards-grocery-department

The Skagit Valley Food Co-op’s Natural Grocery department has distinct buying guidelines to ensure the products we sell meet four out of five of the following criteria:

  • No harmful preservatives
  • No artificial flavors
  • No artificial colors
  • No refined sugars
  • No High Fructose Corn Syrup
  • High quality food at an exceptional value!

We believe in the bonds of trust between producers and consumers, and our integrity is important to us. For this reason, we have posted information about GMO foods, Nanoproducts, BPAs and Phthalates, Cloning, and Food Irradiation throughout our blogs.

Meat Buying Standards

buying-standards-meat-department

We offer a great selection of natural and organic meats and wild caught seafood that is sourced locally and sustainably. Our meats come only from humanely treated, vegetarian-fed livestock raised without the use of growth hormones or antibiotics. Our meat buyer works with local ranchers and farmers to provide the best-quality, locally-grown natural meats.

Our Natural Meat and Seafood Department Buying Guidelines meet our Co-op standards for sustainable sourcing, including:

  • All vegetarian feed, no animal by-products
  • No harmful preservatives, fillers, or MSG
  • No artificial flavors or colors
  • No growth hormones or steroids
  • Wild caught seafood
  • No farmed salmon
  • High quality food at an exceptional value!

Wellness Department Buying Standards

buying-standards-wellness-department

Our Wellness Department has buying guidelines to ensure we offer safe and healthy personal care products and supplements made from natural and pure ingredients. We support producers of natural products, from individual local soap makers to international cooperatives.

Most of the products in our Wellness section meet the following standards:

  • Not tested on animals
  • No artificial fragrance, flavor, or colors
  • No parabens
  • High quality food at an exceptional value!