food co-op pricing

**perSue** · 01-26-2008, 11:21 AM

i have a quick question.
i was recently looking into food co ops & was wondering if the pricing is average or not.

for membership, it ranges anywhere between 30$ to 55$.
then the food is more expensive than grocers or wholesalers in the area.

i'd like to support local growers, but can't at these prices.

what do you think?

**bumplett** · 01-26-2008, 11:24 AM

ummm - what's a food co-op?

((going to google now))

**peanut** · 01-26-2008, 01:45 PM

perSue: we found the same thing. You join the co-op and it is a lot more expensive than the stuff shipped from thousands of miles away. Doesn't seem right. However, due to health reasons, we've switched to buying organic produce. We find the co-ops more comparable to them...only they don't guarantee organic produce. So why would I join them? I just pay the higher price for the organic produce and bypass the co-op.

Jean

**powerfm1** · 01-26-2008, 05:43 PM

Many times it is fresher and organic. The one I used to go to was cheaper because where wasn't a middleman.

**perSue** · 01-27-2008, 11:26 AM

how strange!
thanks tho for responding.

i thought co-ops were meant to be an assistance to people.

thanks.

**HandyMom** · 01-29-2008, 01:36 AM

http://www.localharvest.org/csa.jsp

Community Supported Agriculture

In return for their investment, CSA members receive a bag of fresh, locally-grown, typically organic produce once a week from late spring through early fall, and occasionally throughout the winter in northern climates and year-round in milder zones. Members prefer a wide variety of vegetables and herbs, which encourages integrated cropping and companion planting.
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This is what I joined so we could have fresh picked ORGANIC vegetables and herbs to eat all during the growing season and it will average out to $20 a week for plenty of food for 2 people. I think it's more than reasonable for fresh, local organic produce.