Keep those Gobble Donations Coming!

Heidi Smith Gift of Gobble Leave a comment

Thank you to everyone who has donated to Gift of Gobble so far! We’re happy to announce that we are over 1/3 of the way to our goal of $6,000 to feed 100 families this Thanksgiving. That means we have $3,865 to go and every bit counts. The simplest way to donate is online.  Those of you who prefer to do things in person can bring cash, check or card to the Yelm Food Co-op. Once your donation is complete you can play pin the feather on the turkey – your own personal feather with the amount and your signature if you choose to add it.

As a reminder, Gift of Gobble feeds 35 military families, 27 families through 9 local churches, 6 families through our local school districts and the rest are individual nominations. We appreciate your support!

Gift of Gobble 2019 – Now Accepting Donations and Nominations

Heidi Smith Uncategorized Leave a comment

November is here and that means it’s Gobble time! Bounty for Families is hosting the 10th annual Gift of Gobble, a program that feed 100 local families from every segment of our community, including military, schools, churches and individuals. Just $60 feeds a family of six with an entire Thanksgiving feast they can prepare in the privacy of their own home.

You can make a difference this holiday season by:

  • Donating. Any amount makes a difference and all donations are tax deductible. Yes, I want to donate! 
  • Volunteering. We gladly accept support in the form of packing and distribution on the Monday before Thanksgiving as well as help with fundraising. Contact Heidi Smith at 360.464.8706 to learn more.
  • Nominating a family. Nomination forms are available at the Yelm Food Cooperative and will soon be available online as well.

Thank you!

The Numbers are In, See how we are doing.

Jeevan Yelm Farmers Market Leave a comment

Just finished week seven heading into July 13th weekend of the Yelm Farmers Market.   We crunched the numbers and have placed the 2019 Live Financials page on the farmer’s market website.  Continuing our commitment to transparency from last year, the community can see our data almost as quickly as we do.  In a nutshell, we are currently doing 32.88% more business at the Yelm Farmers Market than last year. Our vendor count has increased and we have had some great complimentary event’s hosted in the park as well as a POP Kids program manager to really help the Kids club grow.

Another great data point is that we are still tracking within our WSFMA guidelines for our percentage of Farmers/Processors and Artisans.  It’s STP weekend, come join us at the market!

Check it out for yourself on the Farmers Market Website:

2019 Financial Picture

Yelm Farmers Market 2019: Kids’ Activities, Great Food and More Vendors than Ever

Heidi Smith Uncategorized Leave a comment

pop kids clubOpening Day is right around the corner and the 2019 Yelm Farmers Market is shaping up to be the biggest yet. Over 30 vendors will be on hand on May 25th when the season kicks off at the Yelm Community Center.

“It’s looking like it’s going to be the best season we’ve ever had,” says Manager Jon Jamieson. “We’ll have more vendors, more kids activities and  great opportunities for the community to come together to enjoy locally-made products in our freshly renovated Yelm City Park.”

Kids activities will be a focus this year thanks to newly hired Power of Produce Manager Kayla Blanch. Participants in the free program for ages 5-12  get $2 in market tokens each week they attend to spend on fruit, vegetables, or a plant that grows food. “I’m excited to get kids involved in making healthy choices and supporting their local community,“ says Blanch.

Another new development: collaborations with local non-profits and community groups. In exchange for free booth space at one or more of our markets, groups will bring fun activities for kids and have an opportunity to highlight their organizations. Thus far, those include: Binky Bunny Tales Rescue, Yelm Habitat for Humanity, the Port of Olympia, Puget Sound Energy, South Sound Seed Stewards, the Nisqually River Council, Standing Room Only, and GRuB.

“We’re happy to provide a chance for these groups to get the word out and they help us by bringing activities that engage kids,” says Heidi Smith, a board member of Bounty for Families, the non-profit organization that oversees the market.

Both new and returning vendors will offer fresh produce, artisan crafts, hot food and more. This season Yelm’s popular Masonry Cafe will be serving up hot meals in the kitchen and on opening day Steele Barrel Barbecue and The Cattleman restaurant will also have lunches for sale.

A new Splash Park in the City Park will be an added attractions for families, Jamieson notes. “We’re looking forward to it.”

See you at the market!