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I'm in the information-gathering stage of forming an organic food co-op and/or buying club for the Tarboro
area. I first need to know how much interest there is. If you would be interested in joining, please email me at
jennifer@tarborolife.com, and I will keep you updated on what I find out. Thanks!
area. I first need to know how much interest there is. If you would be interested in joining, please email me at
jennifer@tarborolife.com, and I will keep you updated on what I find out. Thanks!
What is a Buying Club?
A buying club is a group of people who pool their time, resources, and buying power to save money on high quality healthful
foods.
Members of a buying club share the work and expenses involved in acquiring and distributing the food to their group. Each
member contributes to the buying club by doing at least one job, and the buying club in turn benefits from the talents and skills
of many. Members divide the work equally among themselves, trading their time for the lower prices. Members also enjoy the
camaraderie of working with other people in their community.
How Do Buying Clubs Operate?
There are 5 basic steps to buying food through a buying club:
1. Members combine their individual orders into a single order. Usually, members pay in advance for their order so that the
buying club has the money to pay the driver at the time of delivery.
2. The combined and collated order is sent to the warehouse through the internet, by fax or by phone.
3. The truck delivers to your prearranged location. At least three buying club members need to be on hand to unload and
receive the order.
4. Members divide up the order among the individual households.
5. Household bills are recomputed after delivery to account for any discrepancies. The buying club keeps track of additional
charges or credits which may be carried over to the following month’s order.
Why Join a Buying Club?
In addition to being able to access and purchase high quality natural and organic foods and products and the cost savings
available from buying directly from the warehouse, there are many other reasons to start or join a buying club.
-to get to know other people with similar interests from your community
-to support organic farmers
-to be a part of a cooperative food system that is owned and controlled by people who use the products, and to work together
to serve your needs
-to learn new skills, such as using a computer or bookkeeping
-to revitalize your neighborhood, small town or rural area by gaining access to high quality natural foods and products which
might not otherwise be available
-to learn more about natural food, nutrition and cooking
A buying club is a group of people who pool their time, resources, and buying power to save money on high quality healthful
foods.
Members of a buying club share the work and expenses involved in acquiring and distributing the food to their group. Each
member contributes to the buying club by doing at least one job, and the buying club in turn benefits from the talents and skills
of many. Members divide the work equally among themselves, trading their time for the lower prices. Members also enjoy the
camaraderie of working with other people in their community.
How Do Buying Clubs Operate?
There are 5 basic steps to buying food through a buying club:
1. Members combine their individual orders into a single order. Usually, members pay in advance for their order so that the
buying club has the money to pay the driver at the time of delivery.
2. The combined and collated order is sent to the warehouse through the internet, by fax or by phone.
3. The truck delivers to your prearranged location. At least three buying club members need to be on hand to unload and
receive the order.
4. Members divide up the order among the individual households.
5. Household bills are recomputed after delivery to account for any discrepancies. The buying club keeps track of additional
charges or credits which may be carried over to the following month’s order.
Why Join a Buying Club?
In addition to being able to access and purchase high quality natural and organic foods and products and the cost savings
available from buying directly from the warehouse, there are many other reasons to start or join a buying club.
-to get to know other people with similar interests from your community
-to support organic farmers
-to be a part of a cooperative food system that is owned and controlled by people who use the products, and to work together
to serve your needs
-to learn new skills, such as using a computer or bookkeeping
-to revitalize your neighborhood, small town or rural area by gaining access to high quality natural foods and products which
might not otherwise be available
-to learn more about natural food, nutrition and cooking