Perks And Pitfalls Of Joining A Co-Op

[caption id="attachment_835613" align="alignleft" width="1068"] Bigstockphoto.com/Woman Shopping For Organic Produce In Delicatessen[/caption] If you’ve stopped by a farmer’s market recently you were probably handed a flyer or two for your local food cooperatives. “Aren’t I already doing the awesome, conscious consumer thing by shopping at the farmer’s market?!” you probably thought. Yes, absolutely! But farmer’s markets tend to only happen once a week per town or neighborhood, typically forcing you to stop at the mega-chain supermarket later in the week to get a few more things to hold you over. Co-ops, however, make locally-sourced, organic food available to you seven days a week (maybe five, depending on the location, but that’s still much better than one day.) If you’ve been curious about joining a food co-op but have been shy to because your friends would tease you for being a “total hippie” or just aren’t sure if it’s worth it, let’s investigate. Here are the perks and pitfalls of joining a food cooperative. [caption id="attachment_830641" align="alignleft" width="420"] Bigstockphotos.com/Child hands washing fresh vegetables for a healthy salad - the red bell pepper under the water stream of the kitchen sink, shallow depth[/caption]

Food is fresher

The food at your grocery store may have traveled hundreds of miles and passed through the not-so-welcoming environment of train crates and plane cargo before reaching the shelves. The food at a co-op came from as close a farm as possible. In all likelihood, it was picked that day or the day before. You’ll really notice the difference in freshness.               [caption id="attachment_721760" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Quality and variety depends on nearby farms

Naturally, if you live in a particularly isolated area that is a good hour’s drive from the nearest farm then your food still has to travel to your co-op. Furthermore, if there aren’t many farms nearby, then the selection at your co-op will be limited. Co-ops tend to be the best, with the most diversity and quality, in farm towns, or at least towns that are within 30 miles of major farming areas.           [caption id="attachment_695319" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You’re supporting local

You try to support local shops by buying a nice dress from a local boutique from time to time, but most other local shops don’t sell things you need regularly. Food is, however, certainly something you need several times a day! So if you become a member of a co-op, you can be certain you’re supporting the local economy on a regular basis. You don’t need to purchase expensive earrings from that tiny shop on the boardwalk to do so.           [caption id="attachment_697808" align="alignleft" width="469"] Shutterstock[/caption]

You only get seasonal produce

Like at the farmer’s market, you’ll only find seasonal produce at the co-op. So you’ll have to get used to coming up with seasonal recipes. You can, of course, go to the supermarket if you must have off-season produce, but you’ll feel ashamed since then you’re paying those membership fees at the co-op for nothing.                 [caption id="attachment_607561" align="alignleft" width="500"] Credit: Shutterstock[/caption]

You usually need to volunteer

In most co-ops, it is expected that the members will put in some volunteer hours. If you have the luxury of being retired, or just leading a slow life, maybe you’ll enjoy that. For the rest of us who barely have time to floss, this can be a bit of a pain. You can just pay fines if you don’t want to volunteer, but that makes you the “outsider” at the co-op.             [caption id="attachment_710984" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

There will be dues

We already mentioned dues, and there will be some. Every co-op is different, but they could range from monthly to quarterly to annual. Buy-in fees could be as little as $25 or as high as $70.               [caption id="attachment_717971" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Sometimes you can order online

Many co-ops allow you to get online, see what’s in stock, and reserve the items you like. If you plan well, you can reserve the prime, best crops for yourself. You can also have your basket of groceries ready to go when you get to the store—no strolling around with a cart.               [caption id="attachment_694509" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Members will try to sell you on more

Your friends who call you a hippie for joining are judgmental!...and a little bit correct. Food co-ops tend to attract yoga teachers, healers, meditation gurus, crystal jewelry makers, raki healers and all walks of holistic/alternative characters. It’s hard to stop by the co-op and not have someone try to sell you on a meditation retreat or organic-themed poem open mic night.         [caption id="attachment_715040" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Sometimes it’s exclusive

Some co-ops only allow members inside, which is amazing, because it means very short checkout lines! It can also mean there’s always plenty food on the shelves for you. If the co-op is open to the public, it will offer its members discounts.               [caption id="attachment_709036" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Your friends will ask for your discount

You know those friends who teased you for joining a co-op? After they see the beautiful, bright orange squash you bring home and amazingly tender lamb tenderloin, they’re going to ask you to sneak them your discount.               [caption id="attachment_717196" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

The farmers/butchers hand out their phone numbers

The farmers and butchers who make the food often hang out at the co-ops, so you can meet them—that’s pretty unique. If you develop a good relationship with them, some farmers will give you their phone number, so you can put in special orders with them. That is something you’ll never find at a regular supermarket.           [caption id="attachment_610385" align="alignleft" width="500"] Corbis Images[/caption]

Food may cost twice as much

Don’t be fooled: co-ops are not cheap. In fact, most items are about twice what their non-organic varieties at the grocery store are, and still more expensive than the organic food at the mega supermarkets. Expect some sticker shock.               [caption id="attachment_704389" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You’ll make friends

A co-op is, essentially, a club. You’ll start to see the same faces and because of the relaxed environment, you’ll easily chat with the other members. If you’ve been looking for a little sense of community but haven’t wanted to join a kickball league, join a food cooperative.             [caption id="attachment_719139" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Ordering/pickup times are limited

At many co-ops, the times when you can order food online and pick it up is limited. So while co-ops may be open more frequently than farmer’s markets at least farmer’s markets can be open from 8 am until 4 pm in some towns.               [caption id="attachment_716185" align="alignleft" width="440"] Shutterstock[/caption]  

You’ll be encouraged to eat at home more

You pay the fees, after all, so you may as well A) Shop a the co-op and B) Use the food! If spending money incentivizes you to get healthy, a co-op is a great thing for you.

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