PCC Community Markets Provides More Affordable Access to Healthy, Organic Food with New Shared Values Meal Program

(SEATTLE, June 30, 2021) – PCC Community Markets (PCC), one of Seattle’s original grocers and the largest community-owned food market in the U.S., today introduces its Shared Values Meal program as part of its ongoing efforts to address food access across the Puget Sound area. Each month, shoppers will have access to a Shared Values Meal priced at $9.95 that feeds up to four and can be prepped and plated in under 30 minutes. This new program aligns with the co-op’s mission to ensure that good food nourishes the communities it serves.

“As a neighborhood grocer, we are actively working to address food insecurity in our region,” said PCC CEO and President, Suzy Monford. “Introducing the Shared Values Meal program is another step in the co-op living its values; we are taking action to support our community with more affordable access to healthy, organic food.”

“PCC looks for ways to best provide for our community through the co-op’s grocery rescue program and with contributions to local food banks and small farms,” said Brenna Davis, PCC’s VP of Social and Environmental Responsibility. “Through these long-standing programs, PCC provides immediate support to more than 40 organizations and family-owned farms across the Puget Sound. And the new Shared Values Meal program is a natural extension of our ongoing efforts to increase access to healthy, organic food.”

Each month’s Shared Values Meal will feature sustainably sourced staples and an easy-to-follow recipe. For the first meal, shoppers can prepare Red Curry Vegetables with Coconut Milk over Jasmine Rice. They just need to purchase the following items together to get the deal: Field Day Organic Thai Jasmine White Rice, Field Day Organic Unsweetened Coconut Milk, Thai Kitchen Red Curry Paste and Cascadian Farm Frozen Organic California-Style Blend Vegetables.

“UNFI is proud to partner with PCC on their new Shared Values Meal program supporting food access within the community,” said Bekah Swan, UNFI President of Brands+.

“We are excited to have our Field Day brand participate in the first month’s recipe. At Field Day our goal is to fill homes with a wide selection of value-priced non-GMO, organic products that are delicious and simple,” added Elena Montoya, UNFI Sales Director.

In addition to the Shared Values Meal program, PCC works hard to offer members and shoppers affordable options on many of the products they use daily. The co-op regularly has weekly specials that are available without coupons and accepts EBT at all locations. Two other great options at PCC for budget-conscious shoppers are the co-op’s wide selection of bulk items and the value-priced Field Day brand:

• Bulk: Bulk is great for many reasons, mainly because shoppers can specifically buy the amount they need or try something new without having to invest in a full-size product. In addition to being budget-friendly, bulk is a sustainable choice because it helps to reduce packaging. And PCC’s bulk offerings meet the same standards found throughout the store. The co-op prioritizes organic, non-GMO and locally made ingredients, and offers a wide variety of organic options in bulk, including fresh-ground nut butters, rice and grains, beans, herbs, spices, oils, baking ingredients, coffee and more.
• Field Day Products: PCC’s 15 locations carry a wide variety of Field Day products that are priced low, certified organic and Non-GMO Project Verified. From peanut butter to pasta, oatmeal to popcorn, Field Day products provide a great way for shoppers to make their budget work smarter.

In addition to the new Shared Values Meal program, you can learn more about how PCC approaches food access, here.

About PCC Community Markets

Founded in Seattle in 1953, PCC Community Markets (PCC) is a certified organic retailer and the nation’s largest community-owned food market. With an unmatched enthusiasm for making food from scratch, PCC is a haven for those who share a dedication to fresh, organic, seasonal food that is sustainably sourced from over 800 local producers, farmers, ranchers and fishers.

The co-op’s mission is to ensure that good food nourishes the communities it serves, while cultivating vibrant, local, organic food systems. With an active membership of more than 90,000 households, PCC operates 15 stores in the Puget Sound area, including the cities of Bellevue, Bothell, Burien, Edmonds, Issaquah, Kirkland, Redmond and Seattle. Seattle stores are in the neighborhoods of Ballard, Central District, Columbia City, Fremont, Green Lake, View Ridge and West Seattle. The co-op also plans to open new stores in Downtown Seattle and Madison Valley and relocate its Kirkland location.

In 2020, PCC gave more than 60% of pretax earnings to members and the communities it serves. This includes the co-op’s first-ever member dividend and support of nonprofits around the Puget Sound area such as Ventures, Washington Farmland Trust and FareStart.