Submitted by Olympia Food Co-op Grocery Department
The Olympia Food Cooperative’s mission includes supporting local production and encouraging economic and social justice. We know no better way to be sustainable and support our community than buying delicious, fresh goods directly from local vendors. And you can taste the difference! Our Grocery Department is delighted to highlight local vendors whose products we are proud to have in our store.
Jalisco Tortilla Factory
Jalisco Tortilla Factory is a family-owned and operated business that takes pride in heritage and community. Maggie Velasco-Lucero and Medardo “Eddie” Lucero migrated from Mexico and have spent more than 30 years in the Shelton community, contributing their time and energy as business owners and as loyal citizens. In early 1997, with Mark Velasco, they began to put together a plan to bring fresh tortilla products to the local community. In 1998, they officially opened the doors to Tortilleria Jalisco. With the help of their kids, friends and overwhelming community support, Maggie and Eddie have persevered over 20 years. They have never forgotten where they’ve come from and have always been gracious with product donations and financial donations to the local community and schools. Jalisco Tortilla Factory will continue to produce high quality products with the freshness you’ve come to expect.
Mt. Capra
Mt. Capra is a small, family-run farm in the Pacific Northwest which, for nearly a century, has been producing premium whole foods and nutritional products from goat milk. Our grass-fed goats graze on pesticide-free and chemical-free forage 365 days a year. No hormones or antibiotics are used to increase production. In 1928 a young farmer named Melvin Eggers began making raw goat milk cheese from the milk produced on his small goat dairy,Briar Hills Dairy. Melvin and his son Peter continued the family business into the mid 1980’s at which point both father and son made the decision to retire from farm life. They reached out to a young, aspiring, and dedicated farmer named Frank Stout. One of the first changes Frank made was changing the name of the company to Mt. Capra (capra is the Italian word for goat). Frank continued to produce award winning raw goat milk cheeses. Even after nearly a century of changing times, Mt. Capra has kept the same values and vision that it was founded upon. Currently we carry Mt. Capra’s unique Goat Milk Ghee at our Eastside store.
Burnt Ridge Nursery and Orchards
Burnt Ridge Nursery and Orchards is a family-owned farm, in business since 1980, whose 20-acre farm is located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains with a beautiful view of Mount St. Helens. Specializing in unusual and disease resistant trees, vines, and shrubs that produce edible nuts or fruits, they also have a large selection of Northwest native plants and ornamental and useful landscape trees. In their commercial kitchen at the farm they make delicious certified organic jams, jellies and apple butter.
“Burnt Ridge has really enjoyed working with the co-op over the years. The staff and customers are very supportive of local growers. We find their outlook refreshing and encouraging to small growers.” Carolyn Dolan.
Mountain Muesli
Mountain Muesli is a family owned company located in Tacoma. The idea for the company began while founder Chris Young and his family were living in Iceland, eating muesli every day for breakfast. Young created his own “American style” Mountain Muesli cereal upon his return to the States. More than just absurdly good food, the Mountain Muesli brand is about a commitment to the environment and contributing to the greater social good. A portion of every sale is donated to preserve wild spaces for future generation. All products are made by hand in small batches and contain the nutritional density required to fuel your adventures. Mountain Muesli products are made with non-GMO ingredients and do not include dairy, gluten, or soy. Ingredients are locally sourced whenever possible.
For 40 years, the Olympia Food Co-op and our membership have supported local producers in our community. With low mark-ups for local products, every time a purchase is made from our stores, the vendor gets most of the sale. Everybody is welcome to shop. We have two locations, and both stores are open daily, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
