Looking for a great source of high-quality food? Consider joining a community food co-op! Here’s everything you need to know about them — what they are and how to find one in your area.
When we began eating traditional foods, locating good sources of high-quality ingredients was very challenging…
I found it hard to wrap my head around it all. I was used to getting everything I needed at the grocery store and didn’t even know where to start to find better sources.
Many blogs and books I read discussed community food co-ops, which I had never heard of before, much less knew how to go about finding one.
Do you have the same questions? Let’s get them answered today!
Table Of Contents
What is a community food co-op?
Food co-ops, or food cooperatives, are groups of people or workers that buy food together.
There are food co-ops for overstocked or bulk items at steep discounts, traditional grocery store items — as well as organic and natural foods. This post focuses on organic and natural food co-ops.
Some food co-ops are very simple and can be a large or small group of people within a community that place orders together. This is usually done in to receive bulk discount savings and may also be referred to as a buying club.
In some locations, food co-ops have a physical building and are more like food distribution outlets. These may be warehouse-type buildings where food is stored and picked up.
Some are grocery stores that are owned by a community of members.
I once participated in a local, member-led food co-op that was like a mini health food store.
Anyone could shop there, but we also had the option to pay a yearly fee and take part in “ownership.” Owners received further discounts as well as voting rights regarding operations.
Many food co-ops focus on procuring healthy food at a discounted rate. Others are a resource for buying local, organically grown meats and produce that may not otherwise be readily available.
Both options are beneficial depending on your needs.
How does a food co-op work?
Each co-op has their own policies and practices vary from group to group.
Generally speaking, if you are part of a co-op that is not “grocery store-style,” you place an order (usually online). You may pick up the order directly from the co-op, or it is delivered to your house or somewhere near you.
Often there are drop offs at one co-op member’s home and others nearby pick up their orders from the hosting house.
You can find out the address of your pickup location usually when you place your first order, but it may be possible to find the general location out beforehand, or you can sign up to be a host home yourself!
Many of these online group co-ops have accompanying Facebook groups or email messaging in order to communicate co-ops deadlines, pick ups, and so on.
Some food co-ops require a small fee to join, while others are free.
Many community food co-ops are run by volunteers, while others (usually grocery store-style co-ops) have paid employees.
Grocery store-style community food co-ops generally have a board of directors. Members of the co-op are also provide input on operations and the type of products carried in the store.
Most organic and natural food co-ops have specific criteria a food or product must meet in order to be available for order. This criteria will vary, but often has to do with the ingredients and sometimes the manufacturing practices as well.
Benefits Of A Food Co-Op
A community food co-op can help you save money and access healthy food options that may not otherwise be available in your area.
Many following special diets (such as GAPS, Trim Healthy Mama, gluten-free, and so on) find food co-ops helpful in purchasing compliant items that can be difficult to find in regular grocery stores.
Food co-ops are also a great way to discover new foods and resources you may not currently be unaware of. You may find these by browsing the store shelves, online catalog, or hearing about them from other members.
One side benefit of joining a food co-op is that if it often an opportunity to forge new friendships. If you’re passionate about good food, you’ll find others who feel the same within the co-op!
You may discover other similar interests among co-ops members, as well as folks with unique knowledge they are willing to share (such as traditional cooking skills!).
Some food co-ops also host classes and educational events on a variety of topics.
Besides the personal benefits, food co-ops also help support companies that are making healthy food and natural products. This is one way you can vote with your dollars!
Do community food co-ops save you money?
In most situations the answer is yes! Although this really depends on what other resources are available in your area.
In general, if you want to eat healthy on a budget, a food co-ops can help! Large families, couples, and singles alike find this an excellent option.
Food co-ops save money by ordering in bulk. Many are able to order at wholesale prices and cut out the middleman.
That said, it is helpful to keep an eye on your co-op’s prices. While food co-ops often have prices that are exceptionally lower, especially when purchased in bulk, not all items may be a great deal.
At least for my co-op, produce and meat are much more expensive than the health food store or farmer’s market. While I could order items we use a lot of like Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar or Real Salt at our co-op, I have found better prices nearby at our local health food store or Amazon.
The beans, grains, and baking supplies, however, are significantly cheaper through the co-op, where I might get a 20 or 50 pound bag.
What can I get?
It really depends on the co-op!
Need food? There’s a co-op for that! 🙂
I use mine for organic and sustainable dried beans, grains, and baking supplies. Spices we use in large quantities, like cinnamon and ginger, are a great deal too.
Meat, dairy products, and even “healthy” convenience foods can be found in a co-op.
Keep in mind that co-ops often have a minimum amount you need to spend per order. This can often influence your purchases.
I don’t place an order every month because I buy such large quantities. When I do place an order, meeting the minimum amount is usually not a problem.
Household items such as non-toxic cleaning supplies, kitchen supplies (like parchment paper), glass jars, and personal care products are often available too.
How to find a food co-op?
There are a number of ways to find a community food co-op. Here are a few suggestions:
#1 — Try Azure Standard
Azure Standard has drop locations throughout the United States, with the exception of the northeastern states (at the time of writing).
See if they deliver to your area!
#2 — Internet Search
Search for “organic food co-op” online and you may be able to find one in your city or region.
#3 — Online Directories
I recommend using Local Harvest and searching for a co-op by your city or zip code on their website. If you do have trouble locating one, increase your search to your entire state (or even nearby states if you’re near a border).
Before you start thinking that you can’t drive hours every month to pick up a co-op order, hear me out…
Search terms don’t always show the delivery distance range, just where the headquarters are. So if you broaden your search results, you may find a drop location nearby, even though the co-op itself is farther away!
It takes time to make phone calls, but finding items raised and grown with healthy practices is worth the effort.
#4 — Word Of Mouth
Another option is to ask around in your community.
Use social media, if you have it, or ask in person. Your friends may not know, but perhaps they have a friend or acquaintance who does.
If there are any food or health-related groups in your area, they may be a great resources. I also found my homeschool group very helpful in locating various healthy and frugal food sources.
Finally, here are a few other articles to check out!
What is the best food co-op?
The best food co-op is different for everyone. It really depends on your needs.
It can take some time to find the right fit and you may need to participate in more than one.
If saving money is important to you, the co-op with the lowest prices might be the best. But if you highly value community relationships and education, a co-op with a vibrant, active membership may be the best option for you.
Try a few and see what you think. That’s the best way to find the co-op that is most suitable.
How To Start A Community Food Co-Op
If you can’t find a co-op in your community or there isn’t one that suits your needs, consider starting your own.
For detailed information and step-by-step instructions on how to start your own food co-op, check out these articles:
Do you use a community food co-op to purchase items? What do you like to buy at yours?
This post was originally published and written by Jenny Cutler in December 2013. It was updated and republished on 3/16/20.
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Guess what? Azure is coming! I moved to nc this year, waited 8 months without my favorite company, and then…… azure truck crossed the state line for the first time back in October and they just keep moving east! Your azure will be there soon! Let covenant ranch trucking know you are waiting and you might get a drop even faster!
Thanks for the tip, Angie! I would be thrilled if Azure came closer to home!! 🙂
There actually is a drop for Azure in Danville, VA right now. I have been ordering with it for the past 6 months and while it is a 2 hour drive from my home, several of us “relay” the trip and make it work!
We have Azure now, too! I’m in East Tennessee and I know they have drops in other areas in the south. Check and see what it would take to get a drop where you are.
Will do, Robin, thanks!
Where is NC are they delivering? I have been waiting and wanting them to come this far forever! I would love to go in with a group and start a co-op in this area!
Valerie,
Here’s the delivery map for azure, which is expanding every month
https://media.azurestandard.com/uploads/ROUTES/Routes_2014/q2_q4_map_2014.jpg
I came to the right place I am ready to started my journey in providing health food service and to educate my community how to eat healthy and live a healthy live
Thanks
I have been using Azure Standard since last July and have been using them for a lot of things. I can get Scratch and Peck chicken feed from them at a good price, as well as almonds, pecans, spelt berries, and cultured butter in bulk for when I can’t get the cream to make my own.
I was delighted to learn that they offered frozen chicken feet for my bone broth. I was not so happy to learn that the 40# of them was frozen solid in a block of ice. Not particularly handy for just using a few at a time. I have to go out with a meat mallet and break them up when I need them. I’ve seen other items such as frozen chicken thighs and hamburger patties ~ I’m reluctant to order in case the issue is the same.
The only thing I really don’t recommend them for is fresh produce. I had ordered some lemons, mushrooms, and onions only to have them delivered spoiled. I was surprised to have some root vegetables (that should have kept for weeks in the fridge) go bad shortly after receiving them. However, their customer service is great! I notified them of the issue and they promptly offered a refund: no questions asked.
I will look into Local Harvest however now that you have mentioned it…
Thanks, Jenny! I love that Azure has chicken feet and it makes me wish they delivered near me! 🙂 Even some of the local farms here give me funny looks when I ask them to save me some for stock. 🙂
I agree on the produce issue; I’ve had the same problem with my co-op here. The prices aren’t great and I’d rather just get produce local where it hasn’t had to travel to me.
Jenny, I too have had issues with produce, but only when I lived in Mo and my stuff was in the azure truck for 6 days! Now I live in nc and my produce is only in the truck for a couple of days. My fruit and veggies arrive in perfect condition and last until the next month’s drop. I’ve been ordering about 250 lbs of produce a month and have not had a single problem.
Wonderful to hear, Angie! 🙂
Wardee, I am curious who you order from since we are in the same region!
Wardee has said in the past that she orders from Azure Standard.
I used to do quite a bit from Azure Standard, but the delivery times/places are not that convenient, so I only do it once or twice a year now.
Instead I coordinate a food co-op with Hummingbird Wholesale out of Eugene. They deliver to my house and then I deliver to all our members. (That picture at the top is our most recent delivery of all the stuff I took to town for others.)
http://hummingbirdwholesale.com
Thanks, Wardee 🙂
This brings back fond memories for me and my family. We ran, co-ordinated and founded a local produce/food buying club co-op and served our community for seven years, Bountiful Harvest. Great time we had and the food we wonderful and great pricing.. some prices where more but ALWAYS below retail. Just a month ago we let it go due to time and the stress honestly of running it on my own. My hubby works full time and with being just a MOM with five little ones it took a toll. We didnt make ANY profit, although I tell people that our farmers where VERY kind to my family. Our community truly was blessed by what we did, since it offered them produce that was difficult to find. And our family was truly blessed in servin.
I would recommend food coop, buying clubs, great way to minister to your community and serve them high quality whole dense food..the education they get is valuable in tending to their families and visversa.
I miss it honestly, yet I dont miss the stress of running it..when i say stress I just mean coordinating it all on own,help was limited and my duties where so split.
Now I am a mom full time again, as I should be..lol and I have been blessed by having a few close friend get together from our old group and order produce and goodies at my home.
God knew my heart and provided another way to continue on a lower scale.
Blessings, Coopmama
Adriana, it sounds like your co-op was such a blessing to your region! 🙂 Many blessings to you as your change where you direct your energies 🙂
I’ve been a regular Azure member for 15 years. They have really grown! I wish they would improve their website search feature though. I keep thinking they need an experienced and savvy web designer. There have been a few improvements but I’d like to see more. They might have to eventually drop some of their prices because some things are available cheaper through other on-line resources who deliver right to your door with no shipping charges and no drop sight schedule to deal with. I do like supporting a local business though (their warehouse is 95 miles of driving from me – much closer by the crow but Mt. Hood is in the way LOL). I will stay true to Azure.
Thanks for sharing, Annie! You are blessed to be so close to the Azure warehouse – how convenient!
I live in NJ and am blessed to belong to a co op that orders from Lancaster, PA. I get all my meat and dairy and staples like grade B maple syrup and raw honey. One of the farms operates based on WAPF standards. I love it!
That’s great, Jeannie!! Have you ever been to Lancaster? It is one of our favorite getaway places 🙂
What is the company you use? I am in Northeast PA and looking!
Have you Googled around the web?
Jeannie, Where in Lancaster do you get your product from? I want to start a co-op with my church and need a good source. Thanks, Judy
Any suggestions on finding one in Canada?
Helen, check these out and see if there’s one near you 🙂
http://www.cooperativegrocer.coop/coops
http://www.coopscanada.coop/en/orphan/Local-food-Co-ops
I, too, use Azure for a lot of bulk items. I first learned about Azure last year via Wardee when we still lived in northern California. We moved to east Texas last May and I was SO delighted to find Azure delivers here. Although there is grass fed beef available in abundance locally, the grocery stores here are sorely lacking in non-processed food and organic produce. There are farmers markets, but I still have to drive 20 miles to get to one. My husband manages the warehouse of the non-profit he works for and the bonus for me with Azure deliveries is that they deliver right in the warehouse parking lot. I’m so glad they’ve expanded so more folks can take advantage of them.
That’s wonderful! 🙂 So glad that even though it is hard to find nice fresh food close by that Azure can help meet that need! 🙂
There is actually a great Food co-op in East Texas based out of Tyler. Nourishing Connections Food Club that includes Azure and other local and national sources.
I’m also in Virginia. Would you mind sharing what co-op you use? Thanks!
Of course! I Quail Cove Farms is our co-op. http://www.quailcovefarms.com/ is the website. We like their prices on bulk grains, legumes, and bulk baking items.
We also order from Polyface Farm for a lot of our meat and eggs as they deliver to our area every month and the quality is just unbeatable..their pastured chickens don’t even compare to anywhere else we’ve tried 😉 http://polyfaceyum.com/ Hope that helps!
Our farm runs a year organic co-op serving the metro St Louis area.
That’s terrific! 🙂 Thanks for sharing! if you’d like to leave a link in case others in your area view the post you’re welcome to 🙂
We moved from MO to Northern VA last year and I am greatly missing my monthly Azure drops. I have let Covenant Trucking know that we would love for them to branch out east even more. It might help if we gather a list of people who are interested and if we can get a a big enough drop, maybe they would get to us quicker.
Thanks for the names of your current coops; we’ve been looking.
I would definitely be interested in an Azure drop and have some friends that would definitely be interested as well. 🙂 We are leaving the area before to much longer, but would love to see this as an option for friends here. If you want to send me an email at [email protected] I’d be happy to work together on this 🙂
I manage an online Farmers’ Market whose members can log onto our site and order items entered by local Farmers/Producers and Artisans. At the end of the ordering period, a harvest email is sent to the Farmers and they deliver to us on a specified day and time; items are distributed to orders, folks pickup their items within a 2 hour window the same day. There are many Locally Grown Markets in the the nationwide network. You can check to see if there is one in your area by going to locallygrown.net. I also coordinate a drop for Azure Standard in the Lawrenceville, Georgia area. They are great for some bulk items – but I agree with several comments that the produce frequently leaves much to be desired. BUY LOCAL for the items you can! Support you Local Farmers! just my two cents…
Great input, Maryanne! It sounds like you have a wonderfully successful farmer’s market! I love that it is web based; very innovative!
I have found that joining local, community based websites can hook you up with your local farmers for such co-ops. A year ago, I wasn’t aware of local co-ops, and have yet to join one…Visit your local farmers market, and you can learn a lot!
I have never heard of this before, so I can’t wait to investigate so to speak!!!
Is this something that would be helpful to people who are on a fix income or on disability? Thanks,can’t wait to hear back from you!!
Robin,
My wife was born deaf and we have a history of assisting other families touch by disability.
Our family-farm CSA/Co-Op in the St Louis area offers discounts to families with disabled or chronically ill members.
Take a look at our website: http://www.vesterbrookfarm.com
Kind regards,
Farmer Mike & Carol