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Farm Kitchen:  Food co-ops?  |
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CherryPie
True Blue Farmgirl
935 Posts
Kimberly Ann
Puyallup
WA
USA
935 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 02 2010 : 7:50:02 PM
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Does anyone participate in a food co-op? There is one about 20 miles from me and I'm wondering if it would be worthwhile to purchase a membership to get access to organic products at lower prices. I haven't done one before and I thought I'd check with you all for advice.
Kimberly Ann
Farmgirl Sister #225
Crochet Geek, Newbie Fiddler, Would-be Farmer, Backyard Chicken Rancher, Eager Podcaster
http://beesinourbonnetsintheburbs.blogspot.com/
Podcasts at http://thefannyfarm.blogspot.com/ |
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emsmommy5
True Blue Farmgirl
1547 Posts
Angie
Buckley
WA
USA
1547 Posts |
Posted - Jan 02 2010 : 8:58:39 PM
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Where is the one near you? I may know about it.
Do what you love, love what you do. |
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Merry
True Blue Farmgirl
765 Posts
Merry
Ankeny
Iowa
USA
765 Posts |
Posted - Jan 02 2010 : 9:20:04 PM
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I am in a coop here in central Iowa, best thing I ever did, if only for the great meat, cheese and eggs. Its slowed down because its cold now, but the summer produce couldn't be beat, and its all local.
Merry
Farmgirl #536
http://iowafoodcoop.blogspot.com
http://afarminmyheart.blogspot.com/
Don't pray for a lighter load, pray for a stronger back. |
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herblady55
True Blue Farmgirl
3470 Posts
Judy
Louisville
Ohio(Stark Co)
USA
3470 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2010 : 1:00:41 PM
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I'm just curious how a person finds a co-op in their area. Is there a website where you just put in your zip code to find one?
Farmgirl Sister# 905
Judy
Hugs&Squeezles!
I am not contained between my hat and my boots! -Walt Whitman- |
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Merry
True Blue Farmgirl
765 Posts
Merry
Ankeny
Iowa
USA
765 Posts |
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StarMeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
940 Posts
T
MI
940 Posts |
Posted - Jan 04 2010 : 09:52:55 AM
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We made our own co-op years ago. We actually had to call it a "food buying club". There were several families and we ordered from a large distributer who came by us once a month. We would plan a meal together and wait for the truck...then unload and split/re-pack. It worked for a while but then everyone's busy lives got in the way. You need a central location to unload and sometimes there are weight restrictions for unloading/etc. Especially in a residential neighborhood. The food we got was great. I didn't cook the way everyone else did though and wasn't organized enough but I did like getting my essential oils and what not much cheaper...
I'd like to do it again I think.
I did love shopping at the local food co-op though when I lived in a larger city. That was great. I'd go down once a week...but did the mass transit thing too back then. |
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OKCookee
Farmgirl in Training
45 Posts
Chris
Oklahoma
OK
USA
45 Posts |
Posted - Jan 05 2010 : 8:50:02 PM
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We belong to a coop here in central OK. Ordering is once a month - on line. Then we have a bunch of sites to choose from to pick up the order. We joined to be able to buy local food that is healthy (pesticide free, free-range, grass-fed, not over processed, etc.). We have really enjoyed it, but the products are not cheaper than the grocery stores - just lots better for you. We figure you can either pay for the better food or pay the pharma companies - we choose the food. We paid a small membership fee that is refundable if we leave the coop. There is a small "shipping and handling" charge each time, but we can volunteer to help - volunteers are paid by the hour. That amount can then be deducted from our monthly order. I don't know how other coops work - just how ours does.
Hugs,
Chris
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest".
Matthew 11:28
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KathyC
True Blue Farmgirl
583 Posts
Kathy
Gastonia
NC
USA
583 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2010 : 10:46:13 AM
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Judy,
We are in a co-op http://www.somethingbetternaturalfoods.com/index.html- you can go to their site and see if there's one in your area. They do most of the east coast and have expanded even down into Alabama. They don't have fresh fruits and veggies, but do have a lot of staple items, beans, nuts, grains, etc and you can choose organic or commercial. We have been buying from them for over 10 years and have been very pleased. The local co-ops that order from them can set them up any way they choose - or if your on their route, you can set up your own co-op. The one were in now, one family does all the work and just charges each family $3.00 each time they order. This family does all the ordering, picks up the order, sorts it out and you just pick it up at their house. The one were in 10 years ago was a share the work, someone did the ordering, someone else did the bookkeeping, teams would unload the truck and sort out orders ( this was a much larger co-op).
Kathy
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herblady55
True Blue Farmgirl
3470 Posts
Judy
Louisville
Ohio(Stark Co)
USA
3470 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2010 : 3:28:30 PM
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Thanks Kathy, I'll check it out.
Farmgirl Sister# 905
Judy
Hugs&Squeezles!
I am not contained between my hat and my boots! -Walt Whitman- |
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quiltin mama
True Blue Farmgirl
436 Posts
Heather
Crescent City
CA
USA
436 Posts |
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CherryPie
True Blue Farmgirl
935 Posts
Kimberly Ann
Puyallup
WA
USA
935 Posts |
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emsmommy5
True Blue Farmgirl
1547 Posts
Angie
Buckley
WA
USA
1547 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2010 : 09:37:31 AM
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Kimberly
There are several of us that order from Azure. They deliver to puyallup on their way to us.
Do what you love, love what you do. |
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CherryPie
True Blue Farmgirl
935 Posts
Kimberly Ann
Puyallup
WA
USA
935 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2010 : 10:25:24 AM
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Angie, that's good to know. The coop I was thinking about was located in Yelm, but that is a bit of a stretch for me. Does Azure do fresh produce or just frozen/canned/dry goods?
Kimberly Ann
Farmgirl Sister #225
Crochet Geek, Newbie Fiddler, Would-be Farmer, Backyard Chicken Rancher, Eager Podcaster
http://beesinourbonnetsintheburbs.blogspot.com/
Podcasts at http://thefannyfarm.blogspot.com/ |
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quiltin mama
True Blue Farmgirl
436 Posts
Heather
Crescent City
CA
USA
436 Posts |
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emsmommy5
True Blue Farmgirl
1547 Posts
Angie
Buckley
WA
USA
1547 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2010 : 9:24:04 PM
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THey do fresh, canned, dried and frozen. All kinds! If you want to add your order in when we do it, I know we can work out the meet and deliver if necessary! =) farmgirl lunch?
Do what you love, love what you do. |
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CherryPie
True Blue Farmgirl
935 Posts
Kimberly Ann
Puyallup
WA
USA
935 Posts |
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CherryPie
True Blue Farmgirl
935 Posts
Kimberly Ann
Puyallup
WA
USA
935 Posts |
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Farm Kitchen: Food co-ops? |
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Food co-ops?
