Vendor Spotlight: Tierra Farms

As one of the last, if not thee last, remaining Bulk Foods Departments in Skagit Valley, the Co-op’s bulk section is what some might consider a diamond in the rough—a hidden gem that shines bright boasting big savings for planet and pocketbook in an otherwise commercialized landscape of overly-processed, overly-packaged, and overly-priced food. The bulk area has gone through a number of changes in recent years, due largely in part to the pandemic, when most stores eliminated their bulk offerings, for good.

We are proud to hold on to something that is such a quintessential part of the Co-op in terms of cooperative values and shopping value, so proud in fact, that we’ve recently upgraded Bulk with new, bigger bins, created more space in the aisles, brought in new items, and even reintroduced what you’ve all been missing… drumroll please… dried fruit!

Exciting new changes that include an exciting new partnership with Tierra Farm, a Certified Organic bulk foods distributor located in Albany, New York. Tierra Farm works mostly with cooperatives and other locally-owned, independent grocery stores, purposely prioritizing organizations with like-minded missions putting the environment at the forefront. Originally, Tierra Farm opened as a diversified organic veggie farm, but in 1999 made the shift to distributing organic nuts and dried fruits as a way to generate income in its slower winter off-season. While they still maintain their veggie farm, the fruit and nut business took off and became their real focus.

Beyond solely carrying organically-certified products, which we all know are better for biodiversity, soil, and water, Tierra Farm operates with sustainability and environmental impact top of mind. Tierra generates 70% of electricity from solar panels and recycles over 60% of their waste. They also implemented a compostable take-back program to help close the loop on packaging waste, so customers can ship used packaging back for free. While you won’t find Tierra Farm packaged food in the Co-op, the effort to reduce waste is a wonderful reminder to bring your own containers when you shop in Bulk. Last and certainly not least, the Tierra Farm facility is Gluten-Free Certified and proudly peanut-free!

All of that said, if there’s one thing you try from Tierra Farm—make it their Organic Everything Bagel Cashews. When I first learned about the Bulk updates, I immediately requested to add these cashews to the line-up. I bought them on a whim at Community Food Co-op in Bellingham and could not stop thinking about them for weeks on end. A healthy snack you can’t put down? Sold. I’m thrilled we have them in our Co-op now and hope you can find your new favorite, too!

New from Tierra Farm  |  All Organic, All Gluten Free!

Dried Fruit

apple rings, red tart cherries, mango cheeks, apple juice-sweetened cranberries, golden raisins, Thompson raisins, Zante currants, black mission figs, maple-toasted coconut chips, pitted prunes

Nuts

Tamari roasted almonds, roasted curry cashews, everything bagel cashews, roasted salted mixed nuts,

Granola

Goji berry, pistachio mulberry, very berry mix