[donsgal]

Since the food coop that serviced this area (Ozark Coop Warehouse) in Fayetteville Arkansas, is sadly out of business despite it's efforts to remain open, there is no place to buy good food at less-than-health-food-store prices.

I am wondering if anyone here belongs to a food buying group or coop and can give me some ideas what options, if any, are available to me.

I wouldn't mind starting a buying club, if I knew how to do it and knew of a supplier that would deliver to this area SWMO.

Any ideas guys?

donsgal

 

[Scottland Jerseys]

I belong to a club and we buy from United Natural Foods. Website: unitedbuyingclubs.com. They deliver our order in Springfield, MO. Perhaps they can help you. Good luck!

 

[JennNY]

One of things I am considering is to open a bulk food store. I see such a need for it, esp. here in my area. When things settle down here, I am going to research it and see if any doors open in that area.

Right now, I go to an Amish store, 35 min. away. I get my flour, oats and some other things there. I also order my peaches and pears from them to can. They have it trucked up from PA.

JennNY

 

[blue8ewe]

WE joined Gleaners. You can do a google search for one in your area. Or tart one.
Basically it goes like this.
$20 a year membership fee.
$3 each week you "shop".
And each member/family donates 19 hours a year of their time.

We glean fields, grocery stores (stuff that would be tossed because of dates but are still perfectly fine to eat), restaurant supply, warehouses.
I helps us tons. We give way more than 19 hours but we enjoy it.

 

[jmmac]

Morningside Organics took over for Ozark.
www.morningsideorganics.com

 

[Janis Sauncy]

I used to belong to a food-buying co-op and it was well worth the little bit of work everyone was required to do.

We bought from a number of different places. Monthly, it was Costco and a wholesale produce supplier. Every other month, it might be from the mill we got flour, oatmeal, etc from. Twice a year, it was spices. A "newsletter" went out once a month with a list of what we were purchasing that month and the cost. Then we had a "call-in" day for the members to call in to the person responsible for that job for that month. Then, the "president" would call the suppliers and let them know what we were getting that month (except Costco; the person shopping there would just go with a list).

Everything was taken to a local grange where the stuff was divided up according to what each member ordered and then would be picked up.

We had a 5% membership fee, which covered the cost of gas for those picking up, postage, bags, etc. And, everyone was required to do "something."

Sadly, the club eventually disbanded due to "lack of interest."

Janis

 

[Jenn]

Bread becker's is a bread baking sort of coop. Boy do I miss Ozark. Wonder what went wrong.

The group buying club sounds great but like too much trouble for most folks- sort of what I do for myself- but if I offered, say, freecyclers to save postage ordering with me noone would want the trouble for a few dollars discount from ordering for themselves.

 

[Elffriend]

I'm a member of an organic co-op. We get organic meat and poultry, dairy and eggs, and produce weekly. Each week we email our order to the lady who runs the co-op. She tallies all the orders and calls it into the farms. We get our stuff from two different farms in southeastern PA. She has regular pick up hours on delivery day and we all show up with boxes and bags to collect our orders.

The prices on meats are a little expensive. The dairy is pretty reasonable and the produce is cheap compared to the local Whole Foods store.

 

[mogardener]

I help run a food coop and our current supplier is United Natural Foods and we're thrilled with them as compared to Ozark Coop Warehouse. They were really easy to get started with and they have a big selection of items. Our driver said they would be able to add a drop in Branson if someone is interested in coordinating.

If you're interested in more specific details, PM me.

Denise

 

[HomesteadBaker]

I belong to a club and we buy from United Natural Foods. Website: unitedbuyingclubs.com. They deliver our order in Springfield, MO. Perhaps they can help you. Good luck!

I belong to this one, too.

Kitty

 

[patnewmex]

Nope. I have never seen one that was worth joining.

 

[NWoods_Hippie]

I belong to Natural Farms out of Madison, WI. I don't think that is much help to you in MO.

I save AWESOME amounts of money through the co-op, and get really great mostly organic products and produce that couldn't be found within 100 miles of more of my home and even if I could find the stuff I want I would pay twice the price plus gas $$.
It is sad that some people can't find a good co-op to join.

Margie

 

[MicheleMomof4]

I just signed up to be a group leader in my area for BePrepared.com
I was shocked to find out in our hurricane prone area there was no groups at all!!!!
God Bless,
Michele