PCC Community Markets, the nation’s largest community-owned food cooperative, launched Alberto’s Churros premium retail line across all 16 of its stores this week.
The collaboration between the Seattle-based co-op and local, minority-owned producer coincides with Alberto’s partnership with Specialty Frozen Food Distributors that will bring the frozen churros to retailers throughout western Washington.
To meet PCC’s standards, Alberto’s developed a new 12-pack retail formulation featuring sunflower oil, unbleached flour and cane sugar that maintains its plant-based recipe.
The company has served the Pacific Northwest foodservice industry for nearly four decades, supplying all 79 Taco Time Northwest locations, Seattle favorites like Copacabana at Pike Place Market and more than 50 restaurants across the region.
Ingredient standards drive reformulation
“We’re inspired by manufacturers who want to realize their greatest potential by rethinking their ingredient approach,” said Frank Schuck, grocery merchandiser at PCC Community Markets.
“When local makers like Alberto’s choose to elevate their brand through higher-quality sustainable ingredients, it creates a ripple effect – better products for our members, stronger support for family businesses and proof that premium quality and accessibility can go hand in hand.”
Steven Ramirez-Araujo, second-generation owner of Alberto’s Churros, said PCC’s merchandising team provided guidance on ingredient sourcing. His parents, Alberto and Elsa Araujo, founded the business in 1987 in Seattle’s University District.
“PCC challenged us to think deeper about our ingredient sourcing without compromising the authentic churro experience our family has been perfecting for 38 years,” Ramirez-Araujo said.
“Their mentorship gave us the confidence and insight to level up our retail offering by making small tweaks that resulted in defining the direction we want to build for our brand.”
Regional expansion through distribution partnership
Through the Specialty Frozen Food Distributors partnership, Alberto’s Churros soon also will appear in frozen dessert sections at Harbor Greens, H&L Produce, Leschi Market, Hilltop Red Apple, West Seattle Thriftway, Central Co-op Seattle and Town & Country
“Specialty Frozen is a family-owned business taking great care of their relationships with manufacturers and retailers alike. They have extensive reach in the western Washington community, and their business model is the perfect match for our needs,” Ramirez-Araujo said.
“This partnership allows us to bring restaurant-quality churros with premium ingredients to neighborhood stores throughout the region.”
The PCC launch follows Alberto’s 2025 fall retail debut at Rosauers Supermarkets, which originated from what was initially a foodservice meeting.
Founded in 1953, PCC Community Markets operates 16 stores across the Puget Sound region with 118,000-plus member-owners.
The co-op carries products from more than 700 local producers and has pioneered Northwest farmland preservation through the PCC Farmland Trust and partnerships with organizations including United Indians of All Tribes Foundation.
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