United Foods Organic Foods Buying Club Info

Fellow Foodies--

Here is where I will post information regarding United Foods (UNFI) Organic Foods Buying Club. I will need a "head count" of how many people/families are interested. When I get that information--I will follow-up with information on this post or PM to you directly the details, etc.

There are some Buying Clubs already organized in the Northern VA area--I can check and see if they are accepting NEW members or if we need to start another Club. If you need details on how it works (Buying Club)--check out my post called "Organics Odyssey..." under "Area Restaurants..." thread for details. PM me if you feel you need more info.

Have a good night--

Foodie

 

I replied that I was interested when you first posted this but I thought I would make it official if this is where you're keeping track.

Thanks,

Lori

 

Please add your name(s) to list below if interested in Buyers Club--I should have info after Christmas and New Year's Holidays. We should be able to start January 2008 with a CURRENT club as soon as I find out if they are accepting NEW members. Thanks and enjoy your Christmas Holidays--Merry Christmas to All--


LIST OF PEOPLE (FOODIES) INTERESTED IN UNITED FOODS BUYING CLUB--

Koajeri
Brassy@39
thepea2001
Gryphon (Maybe?)

 

Fellow Foodies--

First of all--we hope that you and your family had a safe and blessed holiday season. After being on a 3 week family vacation--it sure is hard to get back in the "thick of things"--right? Oh, well!

The reason for this post is after returning home and "sifting" through my ton of emails--I received an UPDATE about the United Foods Buyers Club Cooperative (Co-op) which is for ORGANIC FOODS AND PRODUCTS. Come to find out--there is ALREADY A NEWLY FORMED Co-op that is in Eastern Loudoun County area. So I do not have to start a NEW club. Thank goodness!

My contacts gave the "lowdown" to me to pass on to those of you who are still interested. The "drop-off" destination is once a month near the Herndon United Methodist Church (HUMC) where the delivery truck delivers the goods. I will be possibly picking up some catalogs of United Foods for February orders by 01/22/08. If I do--I will drop them off at the Nature Center. Otherwise, the delivery date and NEXT meeting is scheduled for 01/29/08 around 9 am at Herndon Bruin Park.
The delivery truck stops at the Arlington Buyers Club location so it maybe around 9 to 10 am.

For those of you interested (no obligation to join Co-op) and wish to see how it all "comes together" and to pickup the March 2008 catalog, feel free to show up for the "drop-off" point and meeting. The deadline for February 2008 ordering is 01/22/08--so it would be better to start off by ordering for March 2008 if you are interested.

Confirmed that drop-off destination is at Bruin Park in Herndon, VA. Double-check with Lee Ann by email.

The contact person and her email is below. Just email her with any questions, etc. about info regarding the Buyers Club. Hope to see "y'all" there!

Email address for contact for Herndon United Foods Buyers Club is below--

lalovgren@msn.com (Lee Ann Lovgren's contact info. Per her instructions.)

Feel free to PM me or ask on this thread if you need assistance.

Good eats--


Foodie

 

Thanks Foodie. Glad to have you back in town or at the farm

 

Brassy@39 and others--

I was "fixin' " (another Southernism) to PM you and give you info on Buying Club. Yeah--we are glad to be "back on the farm".

Foodie

 

HA, Remember that JELL-O is not a recognized food group on the FDA's food pyramid, "Well bless your heart" HA the lexicon is famous, y'all

 

Brassy@39--

Just put kiddos to bed and read your post. I might just "split my britches" (ha-ha!!)

Foodie

 

koajeri and others--

No, United Foods does not have their product list online. You can view info about United Foods on their web site.

Web site info is--

www.unfi.com (United Natural Foods site/info.)

I will try to drop off the February catalogs at the Nature Center in Broadlands Monday or Tuesday sometime. Otherwise, at the 01/29/08 meeting and drop-off delivery point, you can obtain the March catalog at that time.

Look forward to putting some names with faces.

Foodie

 

Hi all,

I just wanted to post an update about the location of the drop off in Herndon. I've been emailing Le Ann today and it seems the drop off is at Bruin park in Herndon. Maybe they changed it. Le Ann also mentioned Zook's, which is an Amish farmer that comes down every 2 weeks and delivers fresh produce. She's getting me info on that as well. Foodie, are you familiar with them?

There is a fee for joining the group which is $115. $100 of that goes into a central account to to make sure they always have enough money for payment at the time of delivery. This is returned if you decide to not continue with the group. The $15 is for supplies for the group.

The bigger the group, the larger discount everyone gets. I plan on picking up some catalogs from Le Anns house tomorrow to get prices and products offered.

Foodie, I plan on checking it out on the 29th as well, hope to finally meet you there. Thanks so much for doing all the leg work on this and sharing this info with us.

Lori

 

koajeri and others--

Yes, it is at Bruin Park. Sorry about the misinformation. Yes, I know of Zook the Amish Farmer. He provides Amish products and is very good. Fresh eggs, milk, cheeses, etc. Zook is SEPARATE from the UNFI Co-op.

Regarding the Buyers Club--if you work during the day and cannot attend the meeting or pick-up your products--we can arrange for a pick-up after the delivery has been "split", etc. You can provide coolers with ice packs, etc. United Foods has a NEW software for us to order from and should be online by February's meeting for March ordering. You can still order and NOT be available for the "split" at the drop-off destination. Take advantage of this Co-op.

If you need more info--PM me or ask here on the forum.

Foodie

 

Foodie just sent you a PM - with our little one on the way I am moving to ALL organic. I cant tell from the site..but I am wondering if they have gluten/wheat free products as well.

Thanks for the leg work

 

thepea2001 and others--

thepea--Again--congrats on the new baby--you will be busy! As I can attest to with multiples.
Yes, Organics is good for you and baby.

Back to UNFI Buying Club business--if you CANNOT go to Lee Ann's and pick-up February 2008 catalog--still come to the meeting/drop-off destination at BRUIN PARK IN HERNDON, VA 01/29/08 AROUND 9 AM. The Herndon UMC was referenced as being close to the park where the tractor trailer will drop-off the products.

Also, if you are unable to attend the UNFI meeting, I will drop-off some February 2008 catalogs for those of you interested to peruse at the Nature Center in Broadlands either Monday, 01/14/08.

Unfortunately, the Herndon United Foods Buying Club DOES NOT order ORGANIC PRODUCE any longer because of DISSATISFACTION of the quality and condition that it arrived in for delivery. It was too perishable and not worth the trouble from what I gathered.

However, if you wish to purchase LOCAL, SUSTAINABLE, AND ORGANIC/NON-ORGANIC PRODUCE--PM me and I will give you some other Produce Co-ops, Farms/Farmers, etc. that I know of to buy at BETTER PRICES AND QUALITY than the stores will carry. Also, the CSA(s) that I provided info will soon be taking subscriptions for their CSA(s). There are Mennonite Co-ops that I can also provide information if interested for produce, eggs, milk, Amish/Mennonite cheeses, baked goods, etc.

By the way--I will provide also a FOOD SAFETY LIST OF WHEN/HOW TO KEEP FOODS STORED THAT ARE CANNED, FROZEN, SHELF-STABLED, AND REFRIGERATED--on a separate post or PM me and I will provide info.

Look forward to seeing "y'all"--have a good weekend.

Foodie

 

Foodie -Thanks!.. we are looking forward to being parents. Its taken us 20+ months for us to get to this point in our adoption and we cant wait for the travel clearance to bring our Langdon home.

I am VERY interested in your info on Produce Co-Ops & Farm - especially the Mennonite Co-Ops. I had read that there is a place in PA that offers organic beef, chicken etc...but a heck of a drive.

Any info would be warmly welcomed! I had also read if you join a co-op and there is a bumper crop you also benefit...is that true?

 

thepea2001 and others--

Yes, that is correct. "Bumper crops" are "leftovers" basically from farms/farmers and CSA(s)/Co-ops. I can produce as well as freeze my own farm's bounty. If you go at the "end of the day" at Farmers' Markets, you can always get the best deals or let the farmers know ahead of time that you wish a certain quantity of produce; and they will "cut you a deal".

Update for UNFI info--if you are "curious" about a product or what the know the company name is when abbreviated in the catalog and other pertinent info--you can PM me or ask here on this thread. Most of the companies that United Foods buys from have (800) Toll Free phone numbers and web sites. You can research online before you buy. For those of you with SPECIAL DIET CONCERNS--GLUTEN-FREE, etc.-- UNFI is a great resource. You can research ingredients online with manufacturers or ask UNFI.

As you will see, "splitting" cases is economical. Not all products do you have to purchase by the case lot. Milk, juices, etc. are worth it or you can form a "Mini-Co-op" between yourselves and save money that way also. You can "single-order" products also. Individual items are also sold just like in a grocery store.

With the price of fuel fluctuating and delivery costs--$4.99 for Organic Seedless Grapes--for example this week at Whole Foods Market in Fairfax--there are BETTER SOURCES for produce and dry goods. Why pay for food to be transported across country? Of course, some products are worth it. Local produce is better than traveling often times across USA.

Because a "normal grocery store"--i.e. Harris Teeter or Giant Foods--normally is between 45,000-65,000 square feet--the stores cannot carry ALL the products. An "average" grocery store will stock over 30,000+ of product items. For example, February 2008's catalog--I picked up mine and extra catalogs today--had 205 PAGES of items to select from alone.

Also, if you wish, I can provide a RESOURCE LIST/GUIDES of books, cookbooks, food preservation, urban/surburban living for sustainable living, and other Consumer and Food-Related Information for you to read up on if you need further details.

Also, I am looking to do a session on Organic Foods vs. Local/Sustainable Foods--new "buzzwords"--and which is the best for you and your family. Organic that travels 1000(s) of miles or Local Sources of foods. Let me know if you think that is worthwhile.

Have a good weekend--

Foodie

 

Foodie - I've checked into Potomac Veg Farms and I am wondering what your thoughts are on this CSA?

Last year I purchased organic beef from a farmers market and it was the best tasting beef I've had...I cant remember the name of the farm (it was located in wincester) but I am tempted to find a farm that I can purchase in bulk.

I found this website via Loudoun on Co-Ops, CSA's etc

http://www.lccss.org/FarmFood.html

I have realized that my body can not process the processed foods and I just want the best for my baby (and family) and food shouldn't be so costly...but in the end its worth it.

 

thepea2001 and others--

I will post Organic food-related info, bulk buying, etc. under thread called "Area Restaurants..." under post called "Organics Odyssey..." to keep UNFI and Misc. Organic Info separate.

Yes, I will PM or post where to purchase grass-fed meats, etc. under the "Organics Odyssey..." post. Check out Local Harvest's web site for further details. Alot of farms/farmers do not advertise but we "network" with farms/farmers from PA down to VA areas.

www.localharvest.org (Local Harvest's info.)

Foodie

 

Hey Pea!

When our kids were little we gave them Earth's Best Baby foods. I swear I ate some too. The peas smelled like peas and the foods were never watery. I know they sell them locally and I think they are also Organic. We both worked at the time and to blend it all myself, well didn't have the time.

 

Hi Brassy! Thanks for the heads up on the baby food.

 

thepea2001 and others--

Taking a break from my meeting with the company we are considering for our Mennonite Cafe/Bulk Foods business--anyway, United Foods carries Earths Best Organic baby food (their whole line).

When you have a baby or toddler--I recommend their baby products for food. We used them for our twins when they were little as well as our quads. Since our twins are now on "people food"--I do not feed them baby food as much as I did when they were younger. Our quads also used the Earths Best products as well as other Organic companies.

United Foods also carries Gerber's Organic baby foods and Toddler foods. Familia is an Organic company that produce Organic baby cereals and Organic Baby is another well-known Organic baby line. Teething biscuits, Organic baby formula, baby wipes, baby shampoos, baby bath essentials,and diapers also can be bought through the Buying Club.

I dropped by the Nature Center this morning and left a few United Food catalogs for you to look at for your convenience--for those of you who are interested--with Maureen and the front desk. Email Lee Ann for where to pick-up the UNFI catalogs and she will help you out.

Well, guess I will go, I am getting paged to rejoin our meeting. Enjoy the fritters--

Foodie






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