Part Two: How to ‘Shop the Co-op’
For this post I did some research so click on links for more information!
There are so MANY ways to saving time, money, and energy grocery shopping. Some of them are just basics like what I posted in PART ONE. This post, part two, is more specific. This is about how to save at a Co-op. Some of these tips can be used at other local food retailers (farmers markets for example). Many of these examples/tips are for my local co-op the Moscow food Co-op.
a) INVEST in those reusable shopping bags. They are a buck at most places, and are WASHABLE!!! The co-op gives members a 10 CENT discount for each bag you bring, and use! They will ask you if you want to use or donate the discount. Do not feel guilty about taking it, you are on a budget and are trying SAVE while shopping locally!!!
b) JOIN the co-op! The Moscow co-op has the LOWEST membership dues! $10 A YEAR!! If you shopped every week there it would be just under 20 cents a week! Plus being a member gives you access to great saving opportunities! The 10 cent bag credit, a bi-monthly coupon book, and their monthly in-store member only discounts. You can even get a discount on ordering bulk items (not the bulk bins). Here is a website that will help you find your local food co-op!
c) CHECK the in store sales. The Moscow Food Co-op posts their bi-weekly specials online. Just follow the link and from their website you will see the flyers! It is amazing! I love their Bionaturae Whole Wheat Pasta, but I don’t want to pay 3 bucks for a pound of pasta, we stock up on it when it is on sale for $1.99! Which then comes out to a buck a meal for pasta for us. Checking the sales before you go is helpful because if you are low on pasta, like we are, you can know if it is on sale and stock up! *To find the ad, go to the website, scroll down a little it is a link titled something like "Download CO+OP Month A Deals" A and B denote the time the flyer is good.*
d) LEARN basic math. Alright this is where my training as a Material Science Engineer comes in, but I know you people out there can relate. These are things you MUST know to shop at any local food place, Co-ops, Farmers markets you name! I hate the ‘standard system’ and will argue that metric is way better, but until the government gets off its lazy bum, we have to know both! Here are some basics to get you through shopping produce: Peppers DO NOT WEIGH MORE THAN A POUND! I know that the co-op places the price of peppers as $2.50 a pound, but seriously, have you ever held a pepper people? I am so tired of hearing “$2.50 a pound that is ridiculous!” Guess what?! Different sized peppers for $0.76 each is RIDCULOUS! Most produce is priced per pound at the co-op. It is more fair to the consumer and the farmer. So, with that little digression… 16 oz =1 pound, 32 oz = 2 pounds, 1 gallon = 4 quarts = 8 pints = 128 fluid ounces (that is what fl. oz on juice and milk containers stand for, it is different than the mass measurement ounces). Grams, not many things in the US are labeled with just grams, but some recipes are written that way, invest in a kitchen scale with multiple units.
e) BULK foods. I love to make lasagna, but lasagna noodles are prices when they are boxed, plus half are always broken. When you get them from the bulk section you get you pick HOW MANY you want/need and nice long un broken ones (just be careful on the way home not to break your precious noodles!) The co-op posted on their website this handy 8 Ways to Save article. Number 3 is to shop Bulk, here is what they say about buying bulk “Buying in bulk saves you money, plus it saves packaging and allows you to buy only as much as you want. The Moscow Food Co-op has over 500 items in bulk, including grains, beans, snacks, baking supplies, coffee, herbs, & body care items.” I never was a fan of the bulk bins until I recently discovered their wonderful saving capacity. If you haven’t tried them, DO IT!
f) SEASON Shopping! Seasonal shopping will add so much flavor and diversity to your foods! The NRDC (National Resources Defense Council) has a GREAT website for finding local farmers markets and you can search by state what produce is in season when! It is a great guide bookmark it, or print it out and tape it you’re your fridge!
g) STOP buying prepared/ processed food and BUY ingredients. I said in the first post that making bread saves money, well so does making your own pasta sauce. I have recently started to even make our own Alfredo sauce! It is surprisingly easy and super yummy! Making things like bread or your own pizzas are fun, cheap and can involve the whole family. Plus when you make your own food, you know exactly what went into it!
While I was doing the ‘research’ for this I found a few good sites with lists of ways to save, check them out if you like!
I know these are long posts but it takes work to save your money! Good Luck to you shoppers out there!
Love it, Ash! I didn't realize you were a Co-op shopper; I'm actually running for the Board of Directors, I hope you'll vote for me :-) I get so irritated when people whine that they "can't afford to shop at the Co-op", obviously they didn't look past the prices on the meat. The Co-op is a real asset to our area and can really help a family eat better and more consciously for less.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work Ashley!
Tammy! That is great! You have my vote of course! I actually do not think the prices on meat are bad. I think people walk in and see prices for produce and freak out because they miss the per pound part.
ReplyDelete