Product Selection Guidelines
The basic list of quality attributes below is arranged in the order that our main buyers consider them.
CLEAN — no harmful ingredients or additives; organic and/or non-GMO ingredients or feed.
SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED — organic, transitional, or other sustainable practices.
LOCALLY PRODUCED — within 50 miles, Washington state, and the Pacific Northwest
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.
Learn more about our product selection process by looking at our vendor materials.
Good Food Glossary
Local
At Sno-Isle Food Co-op our department buyers' number one priority is in sourcing local and sustainable products. When you buy a local product you are: creating jobs in our community, keeping money in the community, and helping to support a more independent local economy.
Look for our Washington symbol on price tags throughout our store to easily find local products!
Organic
A fundamental part of our mission, we strive to ensure that the 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.
NON-GMO
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.
In June 2019, Sno-Isle Food Co-op became a B Corp. Learn more.
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.