Our Story

From a small group of 50 like-minded folks, to a thriving community of over 9,000 local food enthusiasts, Sno-Isle Food Co-op has come a long way in the past 26 years.

In 1991, Seattle-based Puget Consumers Co-op (PCC) opened a large store in South Everett on Evergreen Way. It suffered from high costs and low sales, closing in 1995.

In January 1996, 50 former PCC members voted to form a co-op of their own in downtown Everett, and thus Sno-Isle Food Co-op was born. Six of these folks agreed to be on the Board of Trustees, and Sno-Isle was incorporated with the state of Washington.  This original Board met weekly writing by-laws, enlisting volunteers, and hiring a general manager. Volunteers held many events and fundraisers to spread the word, gaining new Owners and financial support along the way. These included an Organic Farmer’s Market, monthly potluck dinners, staffed tables at community events, and even shopping cart drill teams in the Salty Sea Days parade.

In the fall of 1996, 100 of our 350 Owners attended a meeting, voting to approve the opening of a 4000 sq. ft store in downtown Everett. The work of building the physical space of the Co-op then began. Under the coordination of Board Member Paul Vexler, volunteers scraped paint, built walls, and installed fixtures. Staff stocked shelves, programmed cash registers, and moved a computer into the back office. On March 3, 1997, Sno-Isle Natural Foods Co-op opened for business. Since opening day, support for the Co-op has continued to flourish and grow.

Over the years, Sno-Isle Food Co-op has continued to grow and evolve. In the spring of 1998, we began offering local beer and wines.  In March of 1999, we expanded by over 5,000 square feet, adding a take-out deli, hot soups, cold salads, and more choices available throughout the store. On June 26, 2019, Sno-Isle Food Co-op became the first cooperative grocery store to be awarded a B Corporation® Certification.  In February of 2024, we relinquished B Corp status but remain committed to the sustainabilty practices adopted during that time.

As we celebrate more than a quarter-century of serving Snohomish and Island counties, we remain committed to offering the best quality, local food to our shoppers, all while supporting hundreds of local farmers, producers, and distributors. We hope you’ll join us in our celebrations!