Co-op 3% Thursday Donates to Coffelt Farm Stewards This Month

— from Susannah Weaver for Orcas Food Co-op —

Two years ago, Orcas Food Co-op launched a Community Shopping Day program called 3% Thursdays. On the third Thursday of each month 3% of the gross receipts of Orcas Food Co-op are donated to pre-selected community organizations. Last month, 3% Thursday sales contributed $320.69 to the Community Resource Center. Coffelt Farm Stewards will receive 3% of the gross receipts of Orcas Food Co-op sales on Thursday, June 21.

Coffelt Farm spans the northern reach of Orcas Island’s scenic Crow Valley. The 185-acre mosaic of pasture and marshland fringed with mature conifer forest extends to the lower slopes of Turtleback Mountain Preserve, creating one of the most beloved vistas in San Juan County. For over 150 years, Crow Valley has been an area of active agriculture, growing a variety of produce including flower bulbs, apples, plums, grains, livestock and more.

After 60 years of farming this land, Vern and Sidney Coffelt sold the property to the San Juan County Land Bank to advance their vision for the future of the farm and accomplish an important element of the Land Bank’s mandate to preserve working agricultural lands. In January of 2011, operation of the farm transferred to a small Orcas Island based non-profit, Coffelt Farm Stewards. The mission of Coffelt Farm Stewards is to demonstrate sustainable, island-scale agricultural practices, promote environmental stewardship and provide opportunities for education and research while honoring Orcas Island’s rural heritage.

You can also Round-up at the Register all month long to donate to Coffelt Farm Stewards. It’s easy to Round Up your purchase. When your cashier asks you if you want to round up for the Coffelt Farm Stewards, simply say “Yes!” and you can help fellow islanders in need. If you’d like to donate more than the roundup you can do that too. Just let your cashier know the amount you want to donate, and they can add it to your transaction. Donating to a great cause couldn’t get much simpler than that. May’s Round-Up for the Orcas Community Resource Center raised $1258.36.

Organizations are eligible for the program based on their service to the community in the following areas: local community service organizations, organic food, healthy food for children or seniors, environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural practices, human rights, environmental preservation and groups with similar missions and values. The Co-op strives to collaborate with community partners to promote local organizations and their values to our members and the community at large.

If you have any questions please contact the Co-op’s Marketing Specialist, Susannah Weaver, at (360) 376-2009 or email marketing@orcasfood.coop.