United Foods Organic Foods Buying Club Info

Hi Foodie and others who are interested in going organic. I saw this post on here and thought it might be worth writing about in the Loudoun Times-Mirror. I don't know much about an Organic Food Buying Club and exactly what that entails but I'd be interested in talking with you guys (especially foodie) about why this topic interests you and what your plans are for forming a club in your community.

If you'd like to talk to me about the club or just reasons why you feel organic is the way to go please get in touch! You can PM me or use the contact info below! Thanks a lot!

Elizabeth Coe
Eastern Loudoun Reporter
Loudoun Times-Mirror
9 E. Market St.
Leesburg, VA 20176
703-777-1111 x1317
F: 703-771-0036
www.loudountimes.com

 

Fellow Foodies--

Elizabeth--Thanks for your interest in Herndon UNFI Buying Club. For further info on Buying Clubs and the Cooperative movement--check my post called "Organics Odyssey..." under thread "Area Restaurants..." for information. Also, you (and others) may email Lee Ann (whose email info I previously posted under this UNFI post) for details on the Herndon United Foods Buying Club.

Also, interested in other "types of cooperatives", there are fuel/home fuel cooperatives, pet food cooperatives, childcare, food, produce, and all types of cooperatives. Here in an interesting link for further details. If you need more info--post under "Organics Odyssey..." or PM me.

www.organicconsumers.org (Organic Consumers' site/info explains Buying Clubs and Cooperatives with links to various cooperatives.)

If anyone desires more info--please PM or post under "Organics Odyssey..." thread. I am in "talks" with the largest Certified Organic Produce Cooperative in the Mid-Atlantic region to see about forming a LARGE Produce Cooperative here in the Northern VA area. I will post info under "Organics Odyssey..." when I have more information. Right now, for a SEPARATE Buying Club for Produce--you only need a MINIMUM ORDER of $150.00 with deliveries twice a week. Works same way as UNFI's Buying Club.

The Produce Cooperative has over a 100 farmers/farms from PA area that sells to Wegmans, Whole Foods, and restaurants in MD, DC, and VA areas. The farms that are part of the Produce Cooperative are Amish/Mennonite and "regular" farmers. The farms have great and Certified Organic produce.

Have a good weekend and have fun snowing boarding, etc.

Foodie

 

For CSA(s) Info--check under also post "Food Preservation, CSA(s), Farmers Markets, etc,..." and for Organic Info Only--"Organics Odyssey...". Hope this is more specific--just PM me if needed.


Foodie

 

Fellow Foodies--

Please do not forget the UNFI Buying Club drop-off on Tuesday, 01/29/08 at 9 am. I talked yesterday to one of the coordinators and she welcomes "y'all" to come and check it out!

By the way, this is JUST a drop-off and delivery time; but you can see how we "split" orders, etc. Of course, I will be there to get my "stuff" for our family; so maybe we can meet. We will be using a YAHOO group to order through since UNFI has new ordering software and we are organizing and having some "kinks" to work out. This is a NEW Buying Club so please be patient if you join.

Contact the person that I previously listed through email; and Lee Ann will put you in touch with the coordinators.

Have fun--

Foodie

 

Fellow Foodies--

Seeing all the "disheartened foodies" talk about grocery stores, restaurants, and other businesses having "issues of food quality or closing due to economic reasons"--made me wish to remind you of the UNFI Buying Club in Herndon.

Please check out the catalogs at the Nature Center in Broadlands for the huge inventory (over 200 pages of goods and products!) that United Foods carries for purchase. SAME goods as Whole Foods and Wegmans--better prices too! Maureen has the catalogs at the Front Desk at the Nature Center.

I would also say Safeway is not that great either the few times I stopped by there--I walked out for poor quality of food/service.

Hope to see you there.

Foodie

 

Fellow Foodies--

I am also--as a "sidenote"--organizing an Organic Produce Buying Club that will deliver TWICE weekly from PA (Lancaster) area. The Cooperative that I know of and have dealt with in the past--already delivers to Whole Foods, Wegmans, Restaurant Nora's, and other "high-end" restaurants/food markets, etc.

I will post a separate thread with links that you can peruse for a "sample" of the vast amount of produce that you can order as a Buying Club. The Cooperative (Farmers) buys from Amish/Mennonite farms and other local farms in PA regions. All produce is CERTIFIED ORGANIC by the USDA. This Cooperative is one that I plan on using for other produce items in our Cafe business. We buy from them on a regular basis produce items that we do not grow on our farm.

Look for the Produce Post under "Area Restaurants..." for info. Also, the Cooperative delivers YEAR ROUND with 100(s) of items unable to find at Whole Foods and other grocers.

Foodie

 

Hi, this is Liz Coe with the Loudoun Times-Mirror. I am trying to write a trend/ feature article on organic food buying/ eating organic and I am interested in talking to people about why they do it. Would you be willing to help me?? Please call me at 703-777-1111 if so or give me a phone # so I could get in touch with you. It would just be a QUICK interview. thanks!


Elizabeth Coe
Eastern Loudoun Reporter
Loudoun Times-Mirror
9 E. Market St.
Leesburg, VA 20176
703-777-1111 x1317
F: 703-771-0036
www.loudountimes.com

 

Fellow Foodies--

Hopefully, Maureen will bring some UNFI catalogs to Happy Hour at Clyde's tonight. If not, I forgot to mention that you can buy Organic Pet Food and Pet Care products.

I know that I have "harped" on this Buying Club--but I wish to offer you (and others) "unique" places to find foods that you cannot find at Whole Foods and other stores. UNFI also carries a huge assortment of Ethnic Foods like fresh Korean Kimchee among other types of foods. Organic paper goods, baby care items (diapers, sippy cups, etc.), organic baby clothes and organic clothing.

For you ice cream and gelato lovers--gryphon--UNFI also carries Ben & Jerry's Ice Creams and Ciao Bella Gelato as well as other dairy products.

If you do not make this meeting--please at least check out the catalog. If there are not any catalogs available--post here or PM me and I will bring more catalogs.

Have a good evening--

Foodie

 

Hey guys, it's Liz at the Loudoun Times-Mirror. I haven't heard from ANYONE about eating organic. I am planning to go out on Tuesday to the drop off in Herndon (I spoke with Lee Ann who organizes it) and talk to people there, but I'd really like to talk to anyone in Ashburn (or anyone reading this) first about why you/ your family want to eat organic and what benefits you feel it provides. It won't be much of a story without some local people in it! So please if you have five minutes give me a call.:cheerleader:

thanks!

703-777-1111

Sorry to bug you guys. If you don't want to comment please don't feel that I am pressuring you! I just wanted to make sure you all knew I was interested in hearing from ya!


Elizabeth Coe

 

Fellow Foodies--

Have any of you had an opportunity to check out the catalogs at the Nature Center yet that I left? Also, while you are there, check with Maureen for some FREE FRITTERS and post opinions under the post called "Free Homemade Apple & Blueberry Fritters--Opinions?..." under the thread "Area Restaurants..." if you would not mind.

Thanks again. Still working on details for PRODUCE BUYING CLUB (ALL PRODUCE IS CERTIFIED ORGANIC FROM PA AMISH/MENNONITE AND LOCAL FARMS). I will keep you informed as details come together.

Have a good week--

Foodie

 

Fellow Foodies--

We had a pretty decent turnout today at the UNFI Buying Club in Herndon. Please check out the catalogs at the Nature Center. I believe you can still order from February 2008's catalog. Email Lee Ann for details. We are still and encouraging members to join.

Since I did not order this month--I will do a large order next month for our family. We usually order once a month. I had previously joined a Buying Club in Purcellville years ago; but the drive was too far. Since I travel on the Dulles Toll Road to Reston/Herndon areas to Trader Joe's and other stores--the Herndon Buying Club is alot closer for me when I plan my trips for foods, etc.

I talked to some of the Coordinators today about the Produce Buying Club idea that I am pursuing for the Northern VA areas (not just for Herndon or Broadlands area). There is a great interest in the idea. Some of you have expressed an interest also so I will post separately about the Certified Organic Produce Buying Club and how it will function and details by mid to late February. After we spent time in PA this weekend and meeting with the Farmers Cooperative members--we feel that it will be a great addition to our United Foods Buying Club. You do not have to belong to UNFI Buying Club to participate in the Produce Co-op.

On a sidenote--I got a chance to talk to Liz Coe from the Loudoun Times about the Buying Club/CSA/Co-op Movement and what Organics vs. Local Foods movement is all about. Farmers may use Organic farming methods but paying for the USDA Certification seal can be cost prohibitive. I gave her some web sites, books, and info to research for her article. It was good to see the interest in buying food not just from the grocers but from other food sources.

When I write my freelance articles on "Local and Sustainable Foods vs. Certified Organic Foods" that travels 1000(s) of miles--I encourage local purchases of meats, produce, dairy, etc. whenever feasible for Consumers. It helps the local farms (ours included)survive as well. Also, kids get to see where "real food" comes from by visiting farms.

Thanks again for the interest and it is appreciated.

Katielora/aka "Foodie" (my parents combined my grandmothers first names--I go by Katie--usually Katie not Lora. Quite a mouthful--oh well!!)

 

UNFI Buying Club Front Page Article in 01/30/08 Loudoun Times

Well, I guess, that I did the publicity for the UNFI Buying Club pretty good. Liz Coe featured on today's,01/30/08, Loudoun Times front page an article about the Herndon United Foods Buying Club. Check it out and post opinions if you wish. Unfortunately, (or not?), I am not in the picture. She featured the article--Organic Food Clubs draw Loudounerson pages A1 and A6.

I spoke to Liz yesterday at the end of the UNFI drop-off meeting and provided her with some stats, resource info, and web sites to research for her article. I think she did a good job for the Club.

Web site with links for the article are below. Enjoy the article--good eats!

www.loudountimes.com/news/2008/jan/30/organic-club-draw-loudouners/ (Loudoun Times 01/30/08 article on UNFI Buying Club.)

Foodie

 

Re: UNFI Buying Club Front Page Article in 01/30/08 Loudoun Times

Corrected web site link for Loudoun Times article is below--oops!

www.loudountimes.com/news/2008/jan/30/organic-clubs-draw-loudouners/ (Loudoun Times 01/30/08 article on UNFI Buying Club written by Liz Coe.)

Thanks again--

Foodie

 

Thanks everyone for the interest in the Buying Club. Thanks also to Liz Coe for writing the article about the UNFI Club and for the publicity about Organic Buying Clubs. It was appreciated.

Foodie

 

wonderful coverage foodie- congrats on a job well done! it's good to see coverage on something positive.

 

redon1 and others--

Thanks and good night!:indiff2:

Foodie

 

Fellow Foodies--

Hi, just wanted to let you know that if you are interested in ordering from the February 2008 UNFI Buying Club catalog that you still have to February 14, 2008. The drop-off destination will be on February 26, 2008 at Bruin Park in Herndon if you wish to check it out and have not an opportunity to yet.

With all the emails and interest that the article that Liz Coe featured in last week's Loudoun Times (see links under this thread), we have been (myself included) inundated with interest in the Buying Club concept. You can PM me or follow the links and web site info listed on this post/thread.

Also, if interested in the Herndon UNFI Buying Club, please see previous posted info on this thread for contact info. Lee Ann Lovgren is the UNFI contact person.

Thanks and have a blessed week.

Foodie

 

I just wanted to let everyone know who is thinking about doing this how easy it is to order on their website. For anyone who has looked at the catalog and has been intimidated by how big it is, it is a lot easier getting online and ordering the stuff you need. One of the easiest ways to orders is to look at the list of items people are wanting to split and sharing with them.

There is also a great selection of products you don't normally see on the shelf at your grocery store. For example, if your favorite brand of organic spaghetti sauce usually only comes in 1-2 varities at the store, you're likely to find 5-6 different varieties, or more, from their website.

Just FYI for anyone who is still thinking about it.

Lori

 

koajeri and others--

Thanks, Lori, for posting the info about how easy it is to order online with UNFI. I just finished my order late last night.

See ya at the drop-off in February.

Foodie

 

Fellow Foodies--

Thanks to those of you who showed up at the delivery today for the UNFI's Buying Club. Also, for those of you who are concerned with gluten-free diets, foods, etc., United Foods has a HUGE assortment of gluten-free items.

With the prices increasing for fuel and foods, the Buying Club is a worthwhile way to shop monthly. It takes about 1 to 2 hours monthly to order and shop online. Easy format to order from and deliveries are prompt and your orders are sorted and checked within an hour at our "drop-off". Better than waiting in line at the grocers.

The February 2008 issue of the United Foods catalog should still be at the Nature Center--just check it out if iyou are interested. We are rapidly expanding the Buying Club and continually accepting new members. Check us out next month--Good Eats!

Feel free to PM me or post questions/concerns here. By the way--for you moms with infants and toddlers to
feed--United Foods carries the SAME Organic foods, diapers, formula, etc. that you find at Whole Foods Markets. Better prices and easier shopping!

Foodie