Healthy/natural eating in Olympia? (Seattle, Tacoma: home, lease, work)

[rheadabovewater]

I was reading another thread and came across this paragraph by contributor "allforcats":

"Those foods that do not have "growing" seasons, such as seafood, meats and fowls: we have several truly wonderful supermarket chains here, where all year you can buy superb-quality foods of either organic or regular type, as well as organic-only stores. These supermarkets also carry excellent quality produce and fruits, both organic and not organic. I think it may be the very high quality of these supermarket foods that results in there not being a lot of permanent farmer's markets; the foods at markets would likely cost more than in the supermarkets."

That's good to know, and am wondering if it applies to Olympia? Had a brush with cancer last year and although I always have eaten well, I really stepped it up after my diagnosis - I eat almost all organic foods and shop here in No. CA at markets like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. I also have parrots who need need a healthy diet, so I buy a lot for them too.

Just did a search on locations of Trader Joe's & Whole Foods in WA, and there is nothing near Olympia....can you tell me if there are healthy markets in Olympia that aren't really excessively expensive? I know about the farmer's market next to the water (it's wonderful), but are there businesses that carry things such as free-range chickens, whole grain breads, foods with no preservatives, etc.?

Thanks in advance

[I ♥ the PNW]

Hi rheadabovewater, I also asked the same questions you are asking and I am assuming you read the thread I started with the link to the sexual offenders in the Olympia area. I am getting the impression from the replies and from a few other people that I have messaged with, that they do feel safe. It seems most of the negative comments I have received are all regarding the homeless and their panhandling/comments, that kind of thing. Walking outdoors and feeling safe is a top priority for me too, I can't wait to visit and find out for myself.

Eating organic is important to us too, from my research there appears to be 2 food coops in Olympia-www.olympiafood.coop. I'm guessing the closest Whole Foods would be in Seattle, possibly Tacoma?? I'm anxious to experience their Farmer's Market.

So have you ever been to Olympia? My husband are hoping to relocate their this Fall, when are you planning to make the move? This forum has been priceless to me, love it! Maybe we can share tips along the way.

[rheadabovewater]

Yes, I have been to Olympia maybe 6 or 7 times over the past two years. There is nothing lovelier than Olympia on a sunny day!

The farmer's market is absolutely wonderful - and I go to farmer's markets here in No. CA every weekend, so I've had my share of them. The one in Olympia is large, varied, and most of it is covered. There are also food stands that have been there for a long time. It's a good place to go and hang out, have a cup of coffee, and watch everyone, if you're a people-watcher

Some locals complain that it's expensive, but you get what you pay for.

Does anyone know how food co-ops work? And if they carry meat/tofu/dairy? Yes, Seattle is the closest Whole Foods, unfortunately

Olympia has always been my first choice, I'm just trying to be careful in this economy.

[sean98125]

There is a Trader Joe's in Tacoma, which is a reasonable drive if you need to stock up.

There are two locations of the Olympia Food Co-op. Co-ops are like the credit unions of the grocery store world. The members own the stores, they have some say in how the stores are run, and the profits from the store are re-invested in the store instead of padding someone's stock price. You'll find a lot more locally grown and made stuff than you would at Whole Foods or especially Trader Joe's. It is also much easier for small family farms and small food producers to get their food on the shelves since they aren't competing with the massive marketing budgets of Frito-Lay and General Mills.

Since co-ops are member-owned, you should buy a membership. Olympia Food Co-op has a one time $5 membership fee and a lifetime total of $24 in dues, which you can pay all at once or at $6 a year for four years. You can still shop there if you aren't a member but you'll pay 10% more than the shelf price. And like credit unions and their ATMs, your membership is usually honored at other food co-ops in the area and you won't have to pay the non-member surcharge there.

I love co-ops. They are like year-round farmer's markets in terms of how fresh the food is and the variety of interesting products from small farms and small local businesses.

[Sandy Nelson]

Luckily more and more big supermarkets have organic food sections. QFC and Top Foods in Olympia and Lacey are among them. I drive to Trader Joes in Tacoma, which is a 40 minute drive, but I hope it won't be long until we have a Trader Joes in the Olympia area.

Sandy

[rheadabovewater]

That's great news, thank you Sean!

[rheadabovewater]

Really glad to hear that there is a Trader Joe's in Tacoma. I checked their site last night, but they don't have Tacoma listed in their main section. But - it really sounds like the co-op is the way to go!

[sean98125]

TJs has decent stuff and decent prices, but not that much is locally grown or made. I also hate the way they package their produce so you're forced to buy three peppers even if you only want one and you can't smell the fruit or examine it completely before you buy it.

A friend of mine from the Midwest who was visiting a couple of years ago described Trader Joe's as "Aldi for people with money."

[rheadabovewater]

I agree with you about Trader Joe's. They were bringing in produce from China (horrors!) and I not only complained to the store manager, I also complained to the corporate office on their web site. Turns out they had many complaints about it, so they stopped doing that a couple of months ago and put out a press release about it. The main reason I go to TJ's is because I use a lot of produce for my parrots and they are much more reasonably priced than Whole Foods.

[silverfox]

The farmers market at the Port is just GREAT. When we first went there you could park anywhere without a problem, but it has finally gotten noticed and now it is best to go early, not just to park but to get the best selection of foods. If you like fresh fish the people that run that booth have some of the best fish product available. I know as I was a Comercial fisherman and know what I am talking about. They have the right connections to get the good stuff.
Stay away from any "farmed fish" or shrimp.....Bad News. I don't consider it safe to eat.

Also watch for the fresh corn to come in from Scott Lake in August.
"Bodacious" is the variety. It is sweet , tender and you will be back for more. UMMMMM

Silverfox