What are friends for?

My friend Shelley has been a fabulous resource for me! THANK YOU Shelley, I owe you much. One of the many great things she told me about was the food co-op that we have here in the Wasatch front area. It is not only a fantastic bargain it is also healthy and green in that they try and buy as much food locally as they can which cuts down on the whole transportation yuck, supports local businesses and the produce is fresher! Yahoo! Do a search online to see if there is a food co-op in your neck of the woods.


Here is how ours works. The co-op (http://www.foodco-op.net/) is a project of the CrossRoads Urban Center, which is a non-profit community organization that has been helping meet peoples basic needs since 1966. They are a "volunteer-powered, nonprofit food buying network, bringing people together for good food, community & savings of up to 50% on high quality fresh foods." (taken from their newsletter). They are buying the same quality (often even better) of produce you get at the grocery stores, but can offer it at such great prices because of the amount of food they are buying.

They have three different options to choose from. You can get 1 share for $23.00 which includes:
(This was March's, it changes every month)
2- 8 oz. Top Sirloin Steaks
4-5oz. PorkChops
2 lbs. Chicken legs and thighs
1 lb. Leaned ground beef (85/15)
3 varieties of fresh fruits
5 varieties of fresh vegs.
1 loaf of Stone ground artisan bread
16 oz. rice

Or you can get my favorite, a harvest share, which is like the standard share but has no meat and more fruits (three) and vegs. (six). This was only $14.00!! (1 pkg. mushrooms, 1 bunch asparagus, 1 bag of red potatoes, 4 artichokes, 8 kiwi, 6 oranges, 6 green apples, 2 bunches green onions, 1 head of red lettuce plus bread and rice).

Harvest Share

During the summer months they offer a farmer's market share for $13.50. The Farmer's Market Share is provided by East Farms in Syracuse (http://www.eastfarms.net/. Everything in it is locally grown to organic standards, and items vary according to the season. It is offered throughout the summer and fall. It includes seven vegetable and herbs to you can plant.


There are add ons that are great deals too. You can get the Nutty guy sampler, which is 4 lbs. of different nuts from the Nutty Guys (http://nuttyguys.com/) for only $11.50. Screamin' deal!


You order the 1st Friday of the month and then pick it up at your team site (right in your neighborhood) usually the 3rd Saturday of the month. Pick-up is really slick and takes 10 minutes tops. You sign in, pick up your share (you get to individually pick the produce) and then sign out. Make sure to bring your own bags! The only thing they ask is 2 hours of volunteering in your community and that isn't much for what you are getting!


We have loved doing the co-op. We have tried new fruits and veggies that we might not have and love it! My youngest son devoured the kiwi fruit and we didn't even know he liked em! It helps me get more fruits and veggies in everyone. The only thing I wish is that it was a weekly option rather than just once a month. There are options there however but that will be a different blog. I must fix my kids breakfast!