Bountiful Baskets: Participate Today!

Today is the day to participate in this week's Bountiful Baskets order, if you're interested.  Participation opens at noon!  You can participate today by heading here - you have until Tuesday evening (or until all baskets have been claimed - which may be quickly!).  To read more about this co-op, you can read my post here and to see what I got the first time I participated, read my post here.

Baskets ordered today will be ready for pick-up this coming Saturday, February 2 at 3:15pm at Shawnee Middle School.

*Please note: The Shawnee Co-op is now an every-week site, though the location and time alternates week-to-week, so be sure to note which location and time you are signing up for!

Bountiful Baskets: Picked up My First Order!

Today was the first pick-up day for Bountiful Baskets here in Shawnee and I was not disappointed!

Here is a list of what I received - as pictured above (I weighed these myself when I got home, if the measurements seem kind of random - the number in parentheses is the actual number of each item I received, in case that's more useful to you than weight):

3 lb. (12) Fuji Apples
3.6 lb. (9) Bananas
3 lb. (7) Navel Oranges
1.75 lb. (3) Pomegranates (I've never actually eaten a pomegranate, kind of interested to try it!)
1.8 lb. (5) Pears
1 lb. (7) Kiwi
1 lb. (1 head) Leafy Greens
3.4 lb. (4 ears) Corn
3 lb. (3 heads) Broccoli
2.25 lb. (1 head) Cauliflower
1 lb. Brussel Sprouts
.78 lb. (2) Tomatoes

On a side note: if anyone has any great recipes using any of the above, let me know! :)

I know this isn't an entirely accurate way to look at it (as all produce is priced/sold differently), but that's a total of 25.58 lbs. of produce for $19.50 (the cost for a first-time buyer - in the future, the cost will be the basic $15 + $1.50 processing fee - so $16.50).  At the first-time buyer rate, that equals an average of $0.76/lb - and that's pretty amazing in my book!

So, if you weren't sure, I want you to know I would fully recommend checking it out.  This is a great way to incorporate more fruits and veggies into your diet at a very reasonable price (or the same amount you've been eating if you're healthier than I, but still at a much more reasonable rate than the grocery store).

If you want to be sure your produce is organic, you'll need to add $10 to the cost of your basket.  In addition, there are other add-ons, such as breads, you can choose to purchase when you place your order (or "contribute" as they call it).

The Co-Op operates every week, so you can keep a steady stream of produce in your home (or only "contribute" when you choose - you are not required to participate every time!).If you're wanting to jump on board, ordering takes place on Mondays, starting at noon, by visiting the Bountiful Baskets website.  Ordering is open until 8pm Tuesday evening, or until all baskets are claimed, whichever comes first.

You can read more about Bountiful Baskets in my post here or head directly to their website to read the FAQ's and information for New Participants.

Bountiful Baskets: Shawnee Produce Co-Op!

Are you interested in buying fresh produce from small farms but don't know where to start?  I had read awhile ago about Food Co-Ops and had been interested in learning more about them but was not very pro-active.  In case you are not aware, a Food Co-Op takes advantage of the buying power of a group to get great prices on various types of food, typically locally-grown produce or organic food products.

If this is the type of thing that sounds interesting to you, I have great news!  There is a new Co-Op starting up in Shawnee called Bountiful Baskets.  Bountiful Baskets is a produce co-op that has actually been around for quite awhile, even in Oklahoma, but their Shawnee site is just getting started and it would be a great place for you to start if a commitment scares you.  The best part about Bountiful Baskets is that it does not require a long-term commitment.  While there are pre-determined order and pick-up dates, you buy when it's convenient for you.  If you don't want produce this month, then you don't have to contribute.  It's always up to you!

To learn more about Bountiful Baskets in general, visit their website here (the FAQ page is located here) or their Facebook page.

There is further information about their Shawnee site (or other Oklahoma locations) here.

Basically, how it works will be this:
- Ordering always occurs on Mondays at noon on their website.  Ordering stays open until Tuesday evening or until sold out - these typically sell out before the end of the day Monday, so it's good to be on the ball!
- The contribution for a basket of produce is $15.  You have the option of an organic upgrade for an additional $10.  There will be a $3 Processing Fee for your first order and a $1.50 Processing Fee for each order thereafter.
- Pick-up for each order is the following Saturday (the time will be posted when you place your order).

While participation is open weekly, the location for pick-up alternates between Shawnee Middle School ("A" weeks) and Shawnee High School ("B" weeks).

Hope you find this information as exciting as I do!

Thanks, Simple Saving Savvy for a lot of the above info and to Jennifer for letting me know about it in the first place!