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Farm Kitchen:  Our own little co-op  |
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thebyrdhaus
True Blue Farmgirl
520 Posts
Patty
Columbus
Oh
USA
520 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 21 2012 : 05:15:34 AM
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Yesterday I went to Soulard's Market in St Louis with 2 other ladies. We collected $15 from a total of 10 ladies and went down there with $150 to buy cased produce. ($15 is what Bountiful Baskets ask for in a contribution). We walked around to the vendors and ask for their case prices and explained that we were trying to do our own little coop. We gathered all the prices and info we needed. We then huddled together and decided what we would buy and from which vendor. We approached the vendors with the list of items we wanted to purchase and ask them "If we buy all of this, can you discount it a little more?" All of them said they had quoted as low as they could, but we were able to talk them all into adding some produce to even out our cases, so they would divide by 10, or they added a couple bunches of beets or stalks of celery. Not enough to divide between 10 baskets, but was an extra for those of us that volunteered to be buyers. Each basket included...
1 or 2 Pineapple
1.5 lbs of Grapes
5 onions
9 potatoes
5 broccoli crowns
5 bunches green onions
3 Romaine Lettuce hearts
7 green peppers
4 tomatoes
14 tangerines
9 apples
3 lbs carrots
1 or 2 lg head cabbage
It was alot more than we came home with last weekend from Bountiful Baskets distribution, and we didn't have to drive 6 hours to get it. :) (There are no local pick-ups available)
I am sure we will do this again. It was way too much fun negotiating prices and shopping for bargains. :)
The little co-op trial run did accomplish what we wanted. And who knows, we may get better at negotiations. We were really wanting some bananas and celery, but no one had cases of either. Our 18lb case of grapes cost us $6. Green peppers were $7 a case containing 72 peppers. OMGosh, that was like .10 cents a pepper! All of the ladies involved do alot of cooking, so they will make their dinner plans around what they received. I drove the car because of the weather being so cold. It was 16' when we left yesterday morning. My Impala has a huge trunk, but I could not have hauled more than enough for 10 people. We had all we could put in it. I was afraid the produce would get too cold in the back of my truck. Sad, but we have more than 10 people wanting in on our adventure now. We will chat with everyone later next week and see how their produce held up. It is important that it keeps well, and I would like to have feedback on if each lady was able to use the produce they received. I don't mind being a shopper for others. If it were not for the others participating, I would not have received the great deal that I did on the produce. I do hope everyone that contributes wants to take the opportunity to join us at times for shopping. If each participate joins us while shopping they can have input on purchases and enjoy the fun.
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Patty #1840
http://ladygonegreen.blogspot.com/
A rind is a terrible thing to waste. Compost.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”
-Jesus in John 6:12 NIV Bible |
Edited by - thebyrdhaus on Jan 21 2012 05:41:08 AM |
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tangledthreads
True Blue Farmgirl
185 Posts
Michelle
Middle Tennessee
USA
185 Posts |
Posted - Jan 21 2012 : 05:40:14 AM
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WOW! That is wonderful!! Just yesterday I was at Krogers and wanted some green peppers but they were $.78 each with a Kroger card discount. I passed..so $.10 each is a fabulous price!! An organic head of cabbage was going to cost me over $4.00. That is a really wonderful way to get fresh produce for you all for such a great price!! yeah!
*´¨)
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(¸.•´ (¸.•´Michelle Farmgirl #85
You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
Mahatma Ghandi
Well behaved women rarely make history.
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Edited by - tangledthreads on Jan 21 2012 12:04:51 PM |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Jan 21 2012 : 07:28:56 AM
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As Michelle said, wonderful!!!! The pictures are beautiful. Those apples look so good.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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tangledthreads
True Blue Farmgirl
185 Posts
Michelle
Middle Tennessee
USA
185 Posts |
Posted - Jan 21 2012 : 12:07:45 PM
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I just got another good luck at the pictures..wow..that is a whole bunch of fruit and veggies for $15..what a good deal!
*´¨)
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(¸.•´ (¸.•´Michelle Farmgirl #85
You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
Mahatma Ghandi
Well behaved women rarely make history.
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sjmjgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
566 Posts
Stephanie
Mt. Vernon
Iowa
USA
566 Posts |
Posted - Jan 21 2012 : 4:43:14 PM
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How fun! And you got some beautiful produce to boot! I think I'll get a clementine from the fridge after seeing those tangerines!
Farmgirl Sister # 3810
Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
- Dalai Lama |
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Room To Grow
True Blue Farmgirl
974 Posts
Deborah
Kingston
Georgia
USA
974 Posts |
Posted - Jan 22 2012 : 4:00:39 PM
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The produce is beautiful and you are doing a wonderful thing. I wish our farmers market wasnt so far away.
deborah
we have moved to our farm...and love it |
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thebyrdhaus
True Blue Farmgirl
520 Posts
Patty
Columbus
Oh
USA
520 Posts |
Posted - Jan 22 2012 : 8:08:08 PM
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Thanks everyone. Our first trip was a success. Each person is paying for a $1 basket from Dollar tree and it makes it much easier for those of us who are sorting the produce and transporting it. I can't fit 10 different size and shaped boxes in my car to fill. Much easier with baskets that will all slip inside of each other. I already have request from 4 new participants. It should work out, as everyone doesn't want a basket every week, but then there are some that prepare more meals at home that will use all the produce in a week. I am going to try to limit it to 10 baskets. But if there gets to be too many, I will help someone else do the same thing I am doing. Every participant was thrilled with their basket.
Patty #1840
http://ladygonegreen.blogspot.com/
A rind is a terrible thing to waste. Compost.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”
-Jesus in John 6:12 NIV Bible |
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Room To Grow
True Blue Farmgirl
974 Posts
Deborah
Kingston
Georgia
USA
974 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2012 : 11:27:19 AM
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Patty, you have a great blog. I would love to know if you made the bas from old dog food bags/ If you did do you have a pattern?
Thanks
Deborah
we have moved to our farm...and love it |
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thebyrdhaus
True Blue Farmgirl
520 Posts
Patty
Columbus
Oh
USA
520 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2012 : 6:36:29 PM
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Deborah, Thanks for the kudos! Yes, I made the bags, but I make them differently now. I don't go to any trouble putting on the extra fabric. They were the smaller bags and were actually paper and would not have lasted as long without the fabric. I only use the plastic woven bags now. I have a post almost ready for my blog on how I make my bags... I should have it posted yet this evening, or tomorrow.
Patty
Patty #1840
http://ladygonegreen.blogspot.com/
A rind is a terrible thing to waste. Compost.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”
-Jesus in John 6:12 NIV Bible |
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Room To Grow
True Blue Farmgirl
974 Posts
Deborah
Kingston
Georgia
USA
974 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2012 : 3:07:26 PM
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Patty, That is great. I have the plastic woven ones..I think about 4-48lb ones. i am excited I can do something with these instead of rid of them.
Deborah
we have moved to our farm...and love it |
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mamashaw
True Blue Farmgirl
268 Posts
Annette
Cahokia
IL
USA
268 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2012 : 10:54:27 PM
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I absolutley LOVE love Soulard! We're only 15 minutes away even though we live in Illinois. I have learned that if you go later in the morning on Sunday; closer to closing time; the vendors will hagle with you more and better prices can be had.. they don't want to pack it up, store it up or what ever else they do their wares.. Pickings are sometimes slim but we've always found what we went shopping for.
Patty, what a wonderful idea you and your co-op have had, Great use of resourses!
someplace between lost and found
annette FS#1372
not all who wander are lost
why worry about the comming storm when you can learn to dance in the rain |
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thebyrdhaus
True Blue Farmgirl
520 Posts
Patty
Columbus
Oh
USA
520 Posts |
Posted - Jan 29 2012 : 06:26:58 AM
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This week we had 12 families involved in the produce co-op. It included 7 different families from the week before.
The baskets included-
1 Pineapple
3 lb. Grapes
7 bananas
5 onions
7 apples
2 oranges
5 broccoli crowns
2 iceberg lettuce
Brussels sprouts
8 potatoes
7 tomatoes
2 cucumbers
It is an abundance of nice produce and I think everyone was happy with it. Those involved last week LOVED it and because of the amount and variety of produce they received, it changed their menu planning. Families were trying new recipes, and preparing dishes that they seldom prepare. We created a facebook page for everyone to stay in touch and it makes it easy to contact each family and create our list for those wanting baskets any particular week. One lady shared a new recipe she tried and others shared ways they used their produce. It has been fun so far. :)
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Patty #1840
http://ladygonegreen.blogspot.com/
A rind is a terrible thing to waste. Compost.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”
-Jesus in John 6:12 NIV Bible |
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tangledthreads
True Blue Farmgirl
185 Posts
Michelle
Middle Tennessee
USA
185 Posts |
Posted - Jan 29 2012 : 07:41:42 AM
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Another fabulous bunch of fruit and veggies, you all are doing great with that!!
*´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´Michelle Farmgirl #85
You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
Mahatma Ghandi
Well behaved women rarely make history.
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laurentany
True Blue Farmgirl
3259 Posts
Laurie
Patchogue
NY
USA
3259 Posts |
Posted - Jan 29 2012 : 4:15:24 PM
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Patty- What a wonderful idea! Sure wish you were my neighbor so that I could participate. I would glady hand over $15 a week for all of that delicious looking produce- WOW!
I do grow my own veggies in the summer, but looked into an organic CSA locally- It is $600 per share from May-October. Seems like alot to me-I know that it is organic and that you will get a nice amount of produce each week, but Hmmmm...if I do the math, and figure that it is approx 26 weeks, I guess its not so bad...about $24 a week? I think I might see if one of my friends would be interested in "splitting it with me" so we each only pay $300. Thats food for thought....(pun intended) LOL
Anyone else done a CSA- were you happy with it?
Smiles,
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
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thebyrdhaus
True Blue Farmgirl
520 Posts
Patty
Columbus
Oh
USA
520 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2012 : 6:51:09 PM
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Another great week...
5 lbs red potatoes
6 lg onions
3 lbs carrots
1 cauliflower
1 lb strawberries
1 honeydew melon
2 1/2 lbs broccoli
10 bananas
10 apples
8 yellow/orange bell peppers
1 3/4 lb. grape tomatoes
1 bunch celery
We have so much fun dealing with the vendors and haggling over the prices. The vendors are becoming familiar with us. One vendor said to his help today "Well look here, it is the co-op girls". The brussels sprouts from last week were delicious. I can hardly wait until next week. And we grew by 3 new baskets this week.
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Patty #1840
http://ladygonegreen.blogspot.com/
A rind is a terrible thing to waste. Compost.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”
-Jesus in John 6:12 NIV Bible |
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osbornefarms
True Blue Farmgirl
94 Posts
Leslea
tn
USA
94 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2012 : 7:29:38 PM
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| That is awesome. Sad to tell this but it is true we went to the store and my three year old want some grapes. When I went to pay for them it was $11.59. I asked the lady to put them back I can't pay that for a few grapes. He cried but he didn't understand money I short right now. An old told me that it is sad when you can't afford to live and you can't afford to die. And the prices keep going up. |
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tangledthreads
True Blue Farmgirl
185 Posts
Michelle
Middle Tennessee
USA
185 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2012 : 07:44:25 AM
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Yes, its sad that veggies and fruits are soo high these days..I am always soo glad for garden season to roll around!
There is a new indoor flea market in Cookeville, TN that opened this weekend, there was a booth in there that had a 10 lb of baking potatoes for $2, and other reasonable veggies, so that might be my new place to get "fresh" vegatables.
*´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´Michelle Farmgirl #85
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangledthreadstn My Altered Art
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangled-threads My Garden, etc.
You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
Mahatma Ghandi
Well behaved women rarely make history.
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lindagwynn
True Blue Farmgirl
246 Posts
Linda
Deming
Wa.
USA
246 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2012 : 09:11:20 AM
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What a great idea Patty, The baskets look beautiful. Your group is very fortunate to have you putting all this together. I work for a CSA as a volunteer putting baskets together and it is a lot of work. The fresh vegetables that you get are wonderful and look so fresh. Nice work. I like the laundry baskets, great idea and the food can breath.
With lots of hugs and smiles, have a great day. |
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thebyrdhaus
True Blue Farmgirl
520 Posts
Patty
Columbus
Oh
USA
520 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2012 : 09:08:33 AM
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I am loving this produce... We had 14 families participated this week. This gives us a bigger selection, and not an over abundance of any one produce item. Of course, this week required more of our time purchasing and sorting.
3.5 lbs red potatoes
5 onions
1 head cauliflower
1 stalk celery
1 lb strawberries
6 broccoli crowns
7 apples
4 green bell peppers
1 lb grapes
2 cucumbers
4 oranges
1 head iceberg lettuce
8 sweet potatoes
1 head cabbage
3 tomatoes
2 lb green beans
1 Garlic
The vendors know us now and always seem to be glad to see us. We know those that won't haggle over their prices and are more expensive, but we still try to give them the benefit of the doubt and attempt to deal with them. Usually, with no luck.
Patty #1840
http://ladygonegreen.blogspot.com/
A rind is a terrible thing to waste. Compost.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”
-Jesus in John 6:12 NIV Bible |
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thebyrdhaus
True Blue Farmgirl
520 Posts
Patty
Columbus
Oh
USA
520 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2012 : 05:18:01 AM
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This weeks produce selection was slim. The St Louis Mardi Gras is this weekend so Soulard's will be closed. There were only a handful of vendors open this Friday. Some of the regular vendors we buy from were not there, and we were forced to deal with vendors we don't usually buy from. There were 10 baskets this week.
Russet Potatoes $12
Green peppers $10
Cucumbers $5
Celery $20
Cauliflower $5
Mushrooms $20
Apples $15
Broccoli $14
Clementines $10
Romaine lettuce $16
Plums $16
Onion $10
The produce all looked good. The apples are different apples than what we have been able to get. Hopefully these apples are just as good. The mushrooms were beautiful.
Patty #1840
http://ladygonegreen.blogspot.com/
A rind is a terrible thing to waste. Compost.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”
-Jesus in John 6:12 NIV Bible |
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Farm Kitchen: Our own little co-op |
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Our own little co-op
