saving-money-using-a-co-op

A few years ago, I took a new job, and we relocated to the High Plains.  I was accustomed to having five grocery chains (with multiple stores from each chain within driving distance), three farmer's markets, various road-side produce stands, and my own little garden plot in the back yard.  Needless to say, I got sticker shock when I went to the grocery here the first few times!  We had two - count 'em, TWO!  locally owned, mom-and-pop style grocery stores in our new town.  The next nearest town was a 25 minute drive, and the "big city" took an hour to get to.  I knew my grocery budget couldn't handle this type of strain, so I set out to fall back on my own standby - the family garden.  I happily coughed up $35 for a 20' x 20' plot in the community garden because our homeowner's association didn't allow gardening. I made the best possible use of that 400 sqare feet!  I have years of gardening experience, so I layered, I laddered, and I covered every inch of that patch of dirt with healthy, happy plants that were going to produce the produce!  Then came the August hailstorm.  I think you see where this is going...our growing season ends here around the beginning of September.  I harvested what I could and mulched the rest. 

At a loss to come up with more creative ways to cut costs and dump more money into our food budget, I stumbled on a solution.  We recently moved again because of my job. We are now in a location with an even shorter growing season (and the two requisite community grocers)!  When I was leaving a local store, I spotted a flyer for a food co-op. It didn't cost to get involved.  Just volunteer occasionally and make your biweekly "contribution" - the money you pay to get in on the purchase of fresh fruits and veggies.  After the first pick up, I was totally hooked!  For $15, I got enough FRESH QUALITY produce to last us two weeks (which is perfect, because that is the amount of time between pick up dates).  I calculated my savings using prices that week from our local grocery stores. I saved $52 that first time!  I save about $45 each time we participate, and you can bet I don't miss a chance!  I now build my weekly menus around what is coming in the basket - I get a head's up from those that get theirs the week before me - so I only need to buy meat and the few other items we lack.  It is healthier for us, because we are eating less processed foods, we try new recipes, and I have saved an average of $90 a month off of our grocery bill!  The co-op we participate in has pick-up points nationwide, and it is growing by the week - participants just can't keep it to themselves!  My budget is happy and so are my family's stomachs!