Latest Neighborhood Produce Co-op Haul

Co-op Haul

We had a great co-op haul this past week! And many thanks to the ladies who did our shopping. They did an incredible job! Since we have had an early cold snap here in the deep south (60's in September is unheard of !) I made some delicious tomato soup with the tomatoes and made some cheese toast to go with it. It was so good! I do hope we will get a few more tomatoes before the end of the season.

A basket of fresh produce will last a family or 3-4 about 2 weeks.

Our co-op is a very simple one. We pay $15 per basket. A large family may get 2 baskets. A small family, like ours (we are now empty nesters) may need to find someone to share with. A full basket will last a family of 3-4 about 2 weeks.The shopping is done 2 times a month. All of our members take turns doing the shopping. Everyone gets an opportunity to shop 1-2 times a year. The shopper(s) get their basket for free the week that they shop. We also have an "Angel" basket. We are able to purchase enough to fill an extra basket to give to a family who needs a "blessing". All of the money collected for the shopping is spent. It is a great way to economize and get those fresh fruits & veggies!

Some basket items may be purchased from wholesalers. Still fresh just not local.

There are several different kinds of co-ops. As I mentioned, ours is simple and inexpensive. I know of a couple of other co-ops that have only organic produce. They usually work directly with the organic farmers to provide the produce for their members. And still, so much cheaper & fresher than shopping in the local stores. Of course, working with local farmers, they will have locally grown produce. Our co-op is more of a combination. We purchase what is available at the market when our shoppers go. And we have to get there early!!!! I am talking before 6:00 AM. At 4-5:00 AM the selection is even better. The last time that I did the shopping I was able to get several cases of organic tomatoes and huge bushels of organic corn (all locally grown) for a very good price. I also purchased some of our basket items from local commercial farmers. Sometimes we find fresh items that are not local, but still great for our basket.

Below I have a YouTube of our latest haul:

And here is a link to a recipe for the parmesan crusted chicken w/zucchini that I mentioned in the video. I have made it several times and it is so good!

Parmesan Crusted Chicken w/Zucchini

Finding A Neighborhood Co-op

If I were looking for a co-op, I would first go to Facebook and Google to do a local search. Be specific. If you want organic, make sure you put organic in your search. You can even be specific about your city or neighborhood! 

Ask around. Find out from friends if they know of one. Ask around at your church or local community centers. As you are asking around, be sure to make a list of anyone you speak to that mention that they are also interested in a produce co-op. Hang onto that list because if you do not find a local co-op, that list will be a great start to a co-op!

This Haul Will Last Us At Least Two Weeks!

Starting A Co-op

• First you will need to determine what type of co-op you will be. All organic, combination, etc. 
• Recruit members. For decent hauls you will need a minimum of 10 committed members. These will be members who will participate in every haul. 
• While you may need a minimum of 10 members participating, you will need to max at about 30. When my family shops, we have had as many as 26 members and subs participating. We do not have a truck, van or suv. It takes us 3 cars (totally packed!) to transport the produce to the collection point.
• A sub list. These will be members who do not want to participate every time, but will be glad to fill in once in a while. 
• Schedule-Weekly? Bi-weekly? Once a month?
• Who will do the shopping? One person every time or each member take turns?
• Collection & basket drop-off point-you will need a place for that
• Price per basket-I am thinking that this may very depending on what area of the country that you live in. For instance, in winter months, we still get fresh produce from central & south Florida. 
• Do you want to break during holidays and winter months? We have found that there is low participation on holiday weekends, so we change the schedule to start back the following week. Winter months we will have hauls once a month and raise the price to $20 a basket. We still have plenty.
• Set up a communication system (We have a Facebook group page and a text system.)

Do you belong to a produce co-op? How does yours work? Please feel free to post, add links to your pages and hauls. Also, if anyone has any ideas on how to prepare Greek peppers (besides salad), please feel free to post. 😃

Fresh Produce Co-op Haul

Do you like fresh produce?  

Have you noticed how expensive it is?  Have you wondered how long it has taken for the produce to get from the farm to the store then to your table?  I have.  I have noticed that when I purchase produce from a grocery store that I really need to prepare that produce right away or it will be spoiled within the day, even when I store it in the refrigerator.

Almost 2 (two) years ago, we were invited to join a neighborhood co-op.  March - November we have bi-monthly baskets and it is $15.  December - February we get only 1 (one) basket and it is $20. For us, a family of 3, it is gracious a plenty.  Often times, more than what we need.  I rarely supplement from the store.  And only for $15!!!  It really helps me to stretch my $$ further and keeps me from overbuying.

A Local Co-op Provides a Variety of Seasonal Produce

There are different types of co-ops.  Some incorporated and run like a business such as a farm or a grocery store.  And there are others that are unincorporated being run by churches, community organization or, like ours, a handful or neighbors.  Some of these co-ops are organic and some are not.  Organic co-ops are always going to be more expensive because organics, even locally grown, are more expensive.

 Today's Co-op Haul

In today's post, I am going to discuss the simple neighborhood co-op like the one that we belong to. We are so fortunate to be here in Central Alabama where we have the Birmingham Farmers Market. Farmers come in from all the nearby counties to sell their produce.  And in a co-op, we have some buying power that allows us to bargain.  My husband was suspect about the whole program when we first joined.  Then it became our turn to shop and he was so shocked at what we were able to buy. And of course, the experience really revealed to him the markup on produce sold in the grocery stores.  

What do you need to start a co-op?

• Participants - About 10 families for a decent haul. You will max out at 30. (LOL!  you don't want to have to hire a semi to get the produce to the home where it will be distributed!) 
• Baskets - Each participant will need to provide a sturdy laundry basket that is labeled with their name
• Distribution Center - One of the families will need to volunteer a their patio or carport to be the collection and distribution center.  The space will need to be big enough that the baskets can be spread out and produce sorted
• Organizers/Managers - It is nice to have a couple of people who will "be in charge" so to speak. That is administrate a Facebook group page and coordinated a text messaging & email system. That is be willing to send out the reminders and make up the shopping schedule.  We have 2 great ladies who do this for us.  They are also the founders of our co-op.  
• Find a place to do the shopping - a farmers market, a wholesale produce distributor 
• Determine $$ amount of each basket
• Participant shopping schedule
• Establish some parameters-What I mean is, keep in mind that peanut allergies seem to be on the rise so you may want to request that no one buy peanuts.  Also, keep in mind that you are spending other peoples money.  Everyone loves and want's watermelon, but if the best price is $5 a watermelon, might be best to pass as that is 1/3 of what every participant has paid.  So it is important that you have some parameters set up for everyone to follow.  

A neighborhood/community co-op is really simple to operate and in time, almost runs itself.  Every time we have shopped for our group we have had 23-25 participating families.  That makes for a great haul!  We have 2 civics and 1 accord and all 3 cars are packed with the produce haul.  We leave early o'clock.  Way before the sun, it order to get the best deals and the freshest produce.  We go to all the vendors and farmers to check their prices.  Then I find a quite place to work all the math.  Then my husband, daughter & I take our cars around and start filling them up with all the produce as I make the purchases.  If we collect $315 from all of the participants, we spend $315.  Once I had to spend $2 out of my pocket.  But when a farmer or wholesaler knows you are short just a few dollars, they usually just let that go.  By the way, in our particular group, the shopper does not pay for their basket.  Their time spend shopping and sorting for the group is payment enough! 😊 It is fun and very educational for children & youth.

Our Hauls Feed 3-4 People for 2 Weeks!

Co-ops are the best way to get variety & freshness in your produce.  It is also a great way to stretch your shopping $$$!  If you are interested in a co-op, ask around your community and see if there is one that you can offer to be a substitute for.  It is a great way to try and see if you would like being a part of one.  If there is not one in your area, check with your neighbors and see if they will be interested in starting one.  Everyone is looking for ways to save money and have a healthier lifestyle and a produce co-op is a great way to that end.

And before I forget, I have a video on YouTube of today's co-op haul.  If you have time, go look at it.
Today's Co-op Haul

Another one of those little things in life that we enjoy!

Missy