The PGFC STORY
Pullman's very own food co-op, collectively grown
by the people of Pullman.
It started years ago, as a vision and dream shared by many Pullman residents… to open a full scale, natural food co-op in Pullman.
The dream is becoming a reality…
A small group of people are gathering the community together to open a Pullman based Food Co-op soon. Locals would like to open a store, offering good food from area farmers and producers, benefits all residents, and that presents helpful food education to everyone.
The start-up process has grown organically in the community, with many residents contributing their expertise to the planning and hard work of establishing the store. Community leaders, businesses, and residents excitedly continue to join together in the efforts to make the store a reality. Collectively, the current effort is focused on growing the number of member-owners to help open the Pullman Good Food Co-op soon.
Imagine being a store owner and smelling wholesome, fresh-baked bread and pastries wafting through the air as you approach your store. The busyness of the day melts away as you approach the entry filled with lush, colorful vegetation. Stepping inside, the market warmly receives you, offering a variety of fresh produce, prepared foods from the deli and bakery, a hot and cold beverage bar, health products, and a community space to visit with our friends and families.
You can join the dream...you can build the store! 1,000 memberships will help make the dream come true.
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Pullman Good Food Co-op is to provide the community with equitable access to healthy, affordable, quality food with a priority to support local producers.
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To achieve our mission we will:
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• Earn the loyalty of our owners through an ongoing commitment to service.
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• Forge a deepening bond between sustainable, local producers and the co-op community.
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• Strengthen our local economy through investment, employment and local trade
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• Provide quality food, products, packaging, and food education that is affordable and environmentally responsible.
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• Value and respect all peoples and beliefs.
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• Build upon and operate with cooperative principles and values.
PGFC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Justin Peters - Chair
Jeff Guyett - Co-chair
Matt Smylie - Secretary
Andy Jacobs - Treasurer
Ken Casavant
Cassie Willis
position vacant
(click each photo to learn more!)
Justin Peters is an entrepreneur and fiscal analyst who has lived in the Pacific North West his entire life. He holds his MBA and has experience owning his own local business. Justin is committed to this community, volunteering his time where he can (especially enjoys his time with WSU Athletics) and has dedicated his career to Pullman Regional Hospital. In his spare time, he trains for Ironman races, travels, and spends time with his wife, 3 step-kids and dog.
Ken calls himself a farmer from North Dakota, which he is. He came to work on his PhD in agricultural economics at WSU, planning to return home but he and his wife Dorothy fell in love with the Palouse region. Recruited to the faculty he has been in Pullman for 54 years, retiring in his 50th year at WSU. Past City Council member, President of the Pullman Chamber of Commerce, he relishes civic and public service roles. Interests are cooperatives, agricultural supply chains, public/civic policy.
With a strong background in nonprofit leadership, housing, and property management, Jeff has been the Executive Director at Community Action Center (CAC) since 2012. CAC works with Whitman County residents experiencing housing and food security needs, and offers supplemental food assistance to those experiencing food insecurity through its food bank, gardens, and mobile farm stand. Jeff and his wife, Sue, have worked from the beginning to help launch the Pullman Good Food Coop.
Matt Smylie graduated from WSU in 1999, and went on to a career in journalism before moving over to marketing and strategic/digital communications as a consultant in Northern Virginia. Matt and his wife, Candace, moved back to Pullman in 2021; along with their 18-year-old son, three goldendoodles, a basset hound, and their flock of backyard chickens.
I'm passionate about co-operatives and want to do what I can to support PGFC and spread the word on why cooperatives should be the cornerstone of our community.
Cassie is a newer resident to Pullman, with a strong interest in local food systems. Originally from rural Kansas, having spent 20 years on a farm participating in livestock shows, wheat, soybean, and other food crop production; the importance of access and education surrounding local sustainable practices has been a primary driving factor in her board service.
this could be you!