Food Co-Op for Info Shop

There are a number of ways for the average person and family to have good healthy food on their table.  They can buy it from the number of organic groceries that are expanding in the cities.  They can go to farm markets, join CSA”s,(farmer owned and operated buying clubs).  They can grow it themselves.  And they can form their own buying clubs or co-ops with friends and neighbors.  This writing will deal with the co-op.

It is a simple matter for someone to get a vendor’s license in Ohio.  Currently it cost $25.  This entitles you to buy wholesale from anyone and is also tax exempt.  It is a business so you will have to fill out a separate tax form and make sales tax payments on the profit.  But you may also write this earned income off if you are deducting your IRA.  Very necessary for self-employed people actually making income.       So!  Second step is to get a group of friends together to buy bulk.   Do your market research.  When buying bulk you can get most things at 50% of their retail value.  Make a list of the staples you most need.  Price them out and make up a shopping list.  You’ll be buying case lots of 25 to 50 lb at a time.  Plan to spend $200 to $500 for your first big purchase as a group.  Individuals could budget $50 a month to purchase this way.  Many places don’t have minimums after the first purchase.  You’re on your way to saving money.

The quantity and quality is your choice.  Places like Restaurant Depot have just about everything one would need.  The nonperishable health foods, personal products like soap, shampoo and paper products can be shipped to your door from companies that you really believe in.  But to make this a really good deal you want to find the best local produce from a farmer you know and trust.  You could even go to a produce auction and buy a lot.  You could learn to can.  But freezing is very easy to do.  Buying in season is really cheap.  Plus you control the amount of salt in your diet. You’re not paying for a can that’s half water. And you know the food is fresh and only hours from the field before you cook it.  You know you’re supporting the local economy.  It can be an  exhilarating thing to do for the fun of it.  Then you go home and have your friends come over to split it up and share the tale.  For those who know someone with a deep freezer you can even buy a
half or quarter cow for $3- $5lb.
The following is a check list of items available:  Start simple for your initial shopping trip.  I’m leaving dairy products off this list for now.

Meat:                               Vegetables
ribs          pork     beef         carrots       baby            large  hamburger     2 lb roll             onions        red      sweet  cooking
chicken      whle      breasts      potatoes     baking         boiling  sausage                             tomatoes    slicing         cherry  steaks                              cabbage      red            green  brisket                             celery
salad          head        leaf

Baking/Cooked supplies/Condiments
flour     white                  whole wheat
peanut butter                    popcorn
rice                                                                  honey                            sugar
pasta    cous cous      orzo
olive oil                        cooking oil
cornmeal
vinegar  red         cider       balsamic
oatmeal
bean     pinto         navy      split pea       lentils

Fruit:  You name it!  10 to 25 pounds at a time for half off!     Once your group gets into the groove you can start experimenting with many things previously out of your range.  High quality cheese, prociuttos,  pizza party ingredients, sauces.  It’s all out there.  And yes cookies and snacks too!
So what are you waiting for.  Start calling.

by Karen G.