Food co-ops are growing in popularity all across the country. If you are fortunate enough to have a co-op such as Bountiful Baskets, United Natural Foods Inc., or Azure Standard deliver to your area, you know why they’re becoming so popular.

Having a food co-op deliver healthy foods to your area is advantageous for several reasons:

• You have access to foods you may not have had access to before, especially if you live in a more rural area where stores like Costco, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s are non-existent;
• You are able to purchase your foods in bulk quantities, saving you possibly hundreds of dollars each month compared to what you would pay in stores like Whole Foods;
• You are able to connect with like-minded individuals and families who, like you, give real food a priority in their homes;
• You can plan large cooking/preserving projects such as canning or dehydrating well in advance, instead of having to wait until your local stores stock the items you need;
• You can go in with a friend or two to purchase a large quantity of an item, creating an even bigger discount. For example, if apples are only available to order in a 20-lb quantity, but you only need 5 pounds, you can get a friend or two to split that purchase with you and divvy up the apples based upon each person’s needs. But you still get your apples at the bulk price!
• You are often supporting local farms who grow food for these co-ops.
• One less trip to the store? Hello!

Azure Standard

I’ve been buying monthly from Azure Standard for years now, and I’m so thankful that there have been Azure drop sites in the last three towns we’ve lived in! In fact, when I found out there was an Azure delivery just days after our most recent move, I knew somehow that, despite all the other unknowns, everything was going to be alright.

These are the items I purchase regularly from Azure Standard:

• seasonal produce*, especially hardy fall and winter veggies like onions, pumpkins, butternut squash, and parsnips
• 5-lb bags of organic unsweetened, shredded coconut
• arrowroot powder
• raw cheddar in 5-lb blocks (best. cheese. ever.)
• Teeccino herbal coffee
• unbleached parchment paper
• organic frozen peas
• 10-lb boxes of frozen blueberries
• NuNaturals clear stevia extract
• Food for Life sprouted corn tortillas

Items I purchase irregularly, usually once or twice a year:

• baking soda
• raw cacao powder
• bulk pinto and black beans
• bulk rolled oats
• 1-lb bags of spices such as cinnamon and ground cumin
• gallon jugs of apple cider vinegar
• 20-lb boxes of organic juicing apples, usually available from September through December, are amazing for making large batches of applesauce and apple butter as well as snacking
• a Moon Cup

*Beware that produce from Azure Standard varies in quality. Mostly, I’ve been very satisfied with the produce items I’ve received. A small percentage of the time, however, I’ve had to call them to report a problem (molded oranges and brown kale, for instance).

Start an Azure Drop in Your Area

If you’re intrigued by the idea of a food co-op such as Azure Standard, it’s easier than you think to get a drop site coordinated in your area or to start shopping and ordering if there is an existing drop site near you. Getting a food club or co-op going doesn’t have to be hard either! Learn how to start a bulk food club here.

You can also connect with Azure Standard and co-op members, learn more about items offered, and find out others’ experiences of the co-op by requesting to become part of their closed customers group on Facebook.

Do you have an Azure Standard drop in your area? What are your favorite items and great deals?