Product Selection Guidelines
Below is a list of guidelines we use when considering new products for our store. Not all items sold will meet every guideline, but we strive to meet as many as possible while choosing products that are affordable for our customers.
CLEAN — no harmful ingredients or additives; organic and/or non-GMO ingredients or feed.
SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED — organic, transitional, or other sustainable practices.
LOCALLY PRODUCED
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE PRODUCTION — cooperative, fair trade, or B-Corp Certified
APPROPRIATELY PACKAGED — minimal packaging, recyclable, compostable.
HEALTHFUL — reasonable sugar, fat, and salt contents, minimal empty calories.
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What local means to us
At Sno-Isle Food Co-op, our department buyers prioritize sourcing local and sustainable products at prices our customers can afford. When you buy a local product, you directly support our local economy, help keep jobs in our community, and lower the environmental impact of your purchases. But what does LOCAL mean? You can look for the following two symbols at our Co-op to know you are buying local goods defined as the following:
local
Growers, producers, and brands that are based in the Pacific Northwest*.
hyperlocal
Growers, producers, and brands that are based right here in our co-op community of Snohomish and Island counties.
*We define this area as Washington, Oregon, and Idaho
What organic means to us
A fundamental part of our mission, we strive to ensure many products on our shelves are Certified Organic. Some exceptions can be made if a company can prove that they are in the midst of becoming certified, that their product is created using organic ingredients or, that they employ organic and sustainable practices, but cannot afford the hefty cost of certification. If you see the “Certified Organic” symbol, that item meets USDA standards to be labeled as such.
Other standards
We consider a variety of other certifications and attributes when choosing our products. Looks for the symbols below on items around our store.
NON-GMO Verified
Non-GMO certification is increasingly important to the health and well being of ourselves and our planet, and therefore considered when selecting product to carry at the Co-op. If the product contains any of the Top Ten GMO crops, they MUST be certified Non-GMO or be in the process of gaining said certification. There are many Non-GMO certifications, but the most common in Washington is the Non-GMO Project located in Bellingham.
B - Corporation
Certified B Corporations are businesses that balance purpose and profit. They are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. This is a community of leaders, driving a global movement of people using business as a force for good.
Fair Trade
Fair trade is trade based on a partnership between producers and consumers. When farmers can sell on Fair Trade terms, it provides them with a better deal and improved terms of trade. This allows them the opportunity to improve their lives and plan for their future. Fair Trade offers consumers a powerful way to reduce poverty through their every day shopping.
There are several organizations that give fair trade certifications. The longest standing is Fairtrade International - otherwise known as Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO). Others include Fair Trade Certified and Fair for Life.