I just received an email from our reader, Lora:
I just recently started trying to coupon. What I was wondering is if you know of any good produce co-ops? My sister in laws and mother in law live in Idaho and all have been a part of Bountiful Baskets. That isn’t an option here and I was hoping to find something similar, price-wise too. That seems like such an awesome deal. Just curious if you knew of anything that was similar and not too expensive.
I wrote a series on this topic, “Saving Money on Real Food,” which is a good place to start, but I don’t have information on specific options for co-ops.
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We are going with Dinihanian’s which you can view at http://www.yourcsa.com. We tried them last year with a Sharing Spree deal. Their produce is all sustainably grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. The cost may seem high at first until you do the math. It’s about $28 a week for a huge box of vegi’s and fruits. I buy organic in the stores and spend much more than this to get the amount of food my family needs to eat. To me, this is a great deal and it will free up my budget to allow for other purchases. The CSA runs 18 weeks, mid-June through October. Their website has all the information.
We are getting a Bountiful Baskets started in Hermiston, OR. To get one started, you have to “train” at another functioning site 3 times, twice learning the ropes, and then one time running it. That is a big commitment for most people, so it is slow getting them started. The gal that will be in charge here is going to North Powder, OR which is a couple ours away to train. I am sooooooo excited that she is willing to do it, and once it is up and running, I will be trained too so that I can be her back up here. I used Bountiful Baskets when we lived in Page, AZ, and I LOVED it! We ate so much healthier, and had a lot more variety than I normally would have bought at the regular store. So if you are really interested in having Bountiful Baskets in your area, it is possible if you are willing to make a commitment to get it up and going. It is so worth the hassle to get it started, and you can’t beat the prices for all that you get.
I enjoyed the tips you are providing on your frugal living can make life easier by providing long term living for doing something one time.Thanks for the the information……
Just started Organics to You a month or so ago and my family LOVES it! Couldn’t buy the produce for as good of price and we get it delivered every two weeks-just changed our order to include more fruit-if it is here, my kids eat it!
I live in Columbia County and I’m part of a co-op called columbia county natural. All produce is organic and we also order from Azure, Frontier and Bob’s Redmill. There is no membership fee and you order week to week as you need it. There is a minimum of either $15 or $25 per week but usually they just try to fill bins so you don’t have to pay the minimum. My family has been doing it for a year and we love it!!
http://www.colconatural.com You have to have a username and password to get on the order form but if you’re interested email or call Susan Baker and she will give you the info.
Thank you everyone for all of the great info. I am so excited for Bountiful Baskets in Vancouver!!!
We have the Arlington Produce Co-Op in Arlington, Wa. They offer both organic and conventional options to choose from, for great prices. http://arlingtonproducecoop.weebly.com/index.html
There is a bountiful basket in Salem. Check out the site http://www.bountifulbaskets.org check the site locations & it will you where.
Just what I was thinking of saying. Yeah I was surprised at how many locations there are [20 states]… plenty in Oregon… just not in Portland yet. Lots of locations to choose from in Wa though. What a neat idea. I had never heard of it before.
A Bountiful Basket sight just opened in Vancouver, WA. You should start one where you are.
I’d love to be involved in Bountiful Baskets or another one. I’m not in a position to start it, but I’d surely show up when I could to volunteer!
I loved the gleaners when we were in clackamas county. Now we’re in Columbia county and there’s nothing.
If anyone knows of anything closer, I’d appreciate hearing about it
We just found out about Gleaners of Clackamas County. A friend has been a member for years, and spends just a few bucks a month at the grocery store for her family of five because of all the food they get from Gleaners. Cost is $20 per month plus $5 per year. Available to senior, disabled, and low-income residents of Clackamas County. “Low” is a relative term — the upper limit is $57,000 per year for a household of 4.
http://gleanersofclackamascounty.com/
Oh wow…I’d looked into gleaners a few months ago, but once I saw ‘low income’ I figured we didn’t qualify. We make far less than 57,000 for a family of 6! Cool!
Food buying clubs like Rose City often have produce options. Here is a list for the Portland area:
http://yardsharing.org/2011/03/a-list-and-map-of-portland-area-buying-clubs/
For the best ever produce, meat, milk and all kinds of great food, check out this new option: http://cestnaturellefarms.com/fulldietfarm.html
I’m excited to see how it works out.
If you are in Tri-Cities, Rowley & Hawkins has started up a great program this year with drop-off points in TC, Moses Lake, Connell, Othello and a few more. Here’s the website: http://freshpickswa.com/
As far as I know, they are the only non-CSA option around this area.
http://Www.rosecitycoop.com – I’ve belonged for over a year now and love it. You pick what you want. She also does Hummingbird, Azure, and Frontier. Located in Beaverton.
I also belong to Rose City. They are awesome!!
I have never found a coop here like the one that parents belonged to in Salt Lake – vegies, fruit, grains and meat for $25.00. We belong to Organics to You- http://organicstoyou.org/home/bins.html. So far it is the most cost effective choice for delivery of fruits and vegies that I have found in the Portland area.
For good shopping choices Angela’s produce part 2 has some great suggestions.
Check out http://www.localharvest.org – this will tell you where all food local can be found – CSA’s, farms, pick your own, farmers markets, and co-ops. A great resource!
I wish Bountiful Baskets was here, too! Maybe if there’s enough interest we could start up some drop points.
I know there’s a coop in Beaverton called Rose City Produce–it’s organic and mostly local.
There’s also a service called “Organics to You” (I think) that drops off organic produce at your house every week. I’m not sure how the prices are, but you can’t beat the convenience! 🙂