Introducing Feeding Change: Our Register Donation Program

We're excited to introduce our newest community giving program, Feeding Change! When you shop at the Co-op, you'll have the opportunity to donate $1, $3, or $5 to community organizations you care about, when you're checking out at any register. Our current recipient is the Skagit Food Distribution Center, the centralized distribution center for all of the food banks in Skagit County.

As many of our community partners have been deeply impacted by federal funding cuts, this new program offers an additional way for members and shoppers to support the organizations they care about.

Additionally, Feeding Change aligns well with the 6th bullet of our Ends Statement: “A better community for all through direct support, leadership, and involvement in initiatives and organizations aligned with our values and mission.”

About the Skagit Food Distribution Center

The Skagit Food Distribution Center (SFDC) is the centralized distribution center for all of the food banks in Skagit County. Each year, SFDC works tirelessly to provide 1.5 million pounds of food to fifteen local food banks and four hot meal programs that serve over 45,000 residents.

Beyond its role as the distribution hub, SFDC works to serve vulnerable populations by coordinating healthy food delivery to homebound seniors and weekend lunches for school children. SFDC buys produce whose high demand is rarely matched by donation, including beets, cabbage, carrots, green beans, tomatillos, chilacayotes, etc.

The Food Distribution Center also makes opportunity purchases: when a farm has a buyer for produce, but the deal falls through, SFDC steps in as a buyer so farmers can cover their costs, while still allowing SFDC to obtain top-quality produce at a discount for distribution. Because produce’s shelf life is much shorter than shelf-stable products, SFDC must store and deliver this produce quickly to ensure freshness.