Our Purpose

The purpose of the Orcas Food Co-op is to increase local food production and enhance Orcas Island’s community food network by selling high-quality local and organic, non-GMO food and other household goods at the lowest feasible cost, and by educating customers and connecting them to helpful resources.

In the spring of 2019 the Orcas Food Co-op Board of Directors completed a multi-year strategic planning process, unveiling a new 5-year Strategic Plan charting our course for the future. As part of this process the Co-op’s Long-Term Goals or “Ends Policies” underwent a revision. A Vision Statement was also adopted.

Our Vision for the Future

In the coming five years, our aim is to continue strengthening our Co-op and building community resilience. We will be expanding access to healthy foods, investing more in our local farmers and producers, and implementing more sustainability initiatives. As a cooperatively-owned grocery store, we keep more money circulating in the local economy and measure our success by the positive impact we have on the community. Everyone can join, everyone can shop, and together we are creating a healthy place for our friends and neighbors, our children and grandchildren.

The Orcas Food Co-op exists so that owners, customers, food producers & the Orcas Island Community will have:

THRIVING COOPERATIVE ENTERPRISE

A successful business that demonstrates the cooperative model and furthers the co-op movement.

EQUITABLE AND AFFORDABLE ACCESS

Equitable and affordable access to high-quality, local and organic foods that support diverse nutritional needs.

LOCAL FOOD

A sustainable local food system with strong regional connections.

LEADER IN SUSTAINABILITY

A model sustainable enterprise that practices environmental stewardship.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

An inclusive community connector that fosters a growing network of knowledge, resources and skills.

MODEL EMPLOYER

A major employer that provides fair compensation in an atmosphere where staff, customers and members treat one another with warmth and respect.