Organics Odyssey (misc. Organic Foods, Lifestyles, Sites, & Info)

Since I have recently attended the Natural Foods Expo and received queries on Organics, (i.e. foods, lifestyles, organic housekeeping, and nutrition) I thought I would share some helpful sites and information:

www.ota.com (Organic Trade Association with educational links, etc.)
www.slowfoodusa.org (Slow Food USA is national movement toward sustainable living by eating and purchasing foods locally from organic farmers, local farmers (in general), meats, etc. Emphasizes buying local and food not being purchased from long distances. Informative site to peruse.)
www.theorganicpages.com (Coop America's FREE online publication of national organic business for all types of products. Mail order and internet ordering available. Products includes: food items, farming, gardening, clothes, etc.)
www.theorganicreport.com (Meryl Streep publishes the O'Mama Report and part of larger organics association with great information.) Published by the Organic Trade Association with links.
www.mambosprouts.com (Mambo Sprouts supplies online printable Organic Foods coupons to be used at ANY major grocer--not just Whole Foods.)
Provides organic food tips, newsletters online, etc.
www.deliciousorganics.com (Delicious Organics is based in Florida and delivers organic foods locally in Florida.) Has alot of great organic food tips. Tips includes what to buy when purchasing organic produce, cost savings, etc.
www.about.com (Interesting article on organic foods and sources of produce purchases.) Article entitled--
Top 12 Organic Fruits and Vegetables to buy. In Search box ask: Organic Produce to Buy to see article.
www.shopnatural.com (Shop Natural is an online portal to over 5000 Natural and Organic products--i.e. food, household products, laundry, pet, etc. Great place to order online. We order laundry and other products online from Shop Natural.)

 

Thanks!

 

mejrd and others--

Glad you enjoyed information on organics. I cannot find the web site for
For Goodness Sake (Natural Foods and Health Store) in Leesburg, VA.

Here is contact information below:

(For Goodness Sake is located at Market Station around corner from South Street Bakery.)
Phone number is (703) 771-7146.

For Goodness Sake carries a complete line of organic foods, etc. It is a small store but can order same products that Whole Foods carries in their stores. The company--United Foods--is a national distributor of organic foods from which Natural Food companies, Health stores, and other stores uses as a food purveyor. Wegmans and Whole Foods are large customers of United Foods. Case discounts are 5 or 10 percent. I believe 10% is current discount. Call and ask store.

If anyone is interested in ordering directly from manufacturers (organic or otherwise), leave PM or question I will get back with you. I recently attended the Natural Products Expo in Baltimore, MD on 10/4/06-10/7/06. This Expo featured more than 1000 vendors, etc. marketing new organic foods, products for lifestyles, etc. I received some great info if you are interested.

Merry Christmas--
Foodie

 

Fellow Foodies--

When doing some research recently on Organic Foods and the Chemistry behind the foods, etc. for my Organic Chemistry class online (thankfully my FINAL one!), I came across two NEW books that you might find helpful. Those of you who are interested in nutrition and organic foods/lifestyle may find the books resourceful. Both books have excellent resources listed in the appendixes of the books with websites, etc. Books can be found at Barnes and Noble bookstores and other booksellers.

DIET FOR A POISONED PLANET written by David Steinman published 2007.

EATING BETWEEN THE LINES--THE SUPERMARKET SHOPPER'S GUIDE TO THE TRUTH BEHIND FOOD LABELS written by Kimberly Lord Stewart published 2007.

The books are easy for "lay people" or nutrition "wannabes". Also, a publication that I subscribe to for articles regarding diet/nutrition issues is:

www.todaysdietitian.com (Today's Dietitian is a publication online and by subscription not just for dietitian professionals. Even though I am pursuing also my certification to be a Registered Dietitian--this magazine is helpful to me also.)

Happy Reading--

Foodie

 

Fellow Foodies--

Is anyone interested in forming an Organic Food Wholesale Buyers Club. I belong to one in Purcellville areas. Possibly I would be willing to lead one in the Eastern part of Loudoun County. We buy as a Buyers Club from United Natural Foods which is the LARGEST distributor of Organic Foods, Bulk Foods, Cereals, Dry Goods, Groceries, Cleaning Products, etc.

Whole Foods Markets purchases all products from them for most of their stores nationwide. I know of other sources if you wish to cut down on grocery bills, etc.

United Natural Foods' web site/info is--

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

If interested, PM or post here under this thread/post.
Since my degrees are in Food Science and Consumer Education, I would be happy to provide info if asked.

More "food for thought"--

Foodie

 

I would definitely be interested in that. I spend so much on organic food. We also do the Great Country Farm CSA, but for some reason, it seems as if the quality, quantity and variety has really gone down. I have to add though that the peaches this year were the exception, they were the best ever. I'm not sure if I'm going to do it again next year.

Thanks,

Lori

By the way, how does this work?

 

We will not receive produce from GCF next year either. The rain impacted the quality I think, but the variety is not up to par. Great service though.

 

Koajeri and others--

I emailed my contacts at United Natural Foods (UNFI) to see what the minimum order amounts are and the dollar amounts for ordering through a Buyers Club. The way the Buyers Club usually works is that someone (or more than 1 person) volunteers to be the "Order/Financial" person(s) to order and be responsible for helping the other members.

Members of a Buyers Clubs orders directly from the distributor(s) and usually "Splits" cases of products/foods, etc. You can order enormous amounts or lesser amounts of products. Many people "go in together" to split the cost of cases (i.e. cases of dairy, bulk foods, baking needs, frozen foods, etc.). If something comes on the truck (large transfer truck at agreed destination to split orders, etc.) that is wrong or not right with the orders, then you get a credit, refuse the products, and send it back on the truck. You have someone (or group of people) check orders off and organize the merchandise. It takes about 2-4 hours (sometimes not that long) to check off orders, etc. Each month you order from a monthly catalog of products with featured ads and specials--just like grocers advertise--food vendors do the same.

Also, UNFI carries all groceries--frozen foods, frozen seafoods, meats, fresh meats and deli meats, coffees, coffee filters, teas, vitamins, supplements, juices, all dairy products, cheeses, produce, frozen entrees (organic), frozen fruits/vegetables, snacks, chips, baking products, breads, rolls, pastries, cereals, breakfast foods, eggs, oriental foods, ethnic foods, and the list goes on. Also, condiments, mustards, pickles, ketchup, canned fruits, canned goods, jams/jellies, salad dressings/mayos, fresh baked goods (cakes, snack cakes/pastries), rolls, breakfast meats, hotdogs, sushi products, grains, pastas, rice varieties, dried vegetables and dried fruits, sodas and all types of drinks, water (bottled/etc.), etc.

The Buyers Clubs usually is like an "Organic Costco" but much better. Whole Foods Markets and other grocers (i.e. Wegmans, Krogers, Harris Teeters, etc.) orders through UNFI (United Natural Foods, Inc.). You get "deep discounts" and can order every thing a larger grocer or natural foods store orders. Consider it a "Cooperative for Buying Organic Products". UNFI also carries baby foods, diapers, organic tolietries, paper and cleaning products, books (all types), organic and natural clothing, socks, etc. Also, food products that stores cannot carry. Most grocers carries 30-50,000 products. UNFI carries over that amount. Alot of things that the ordinary
shopper(s) do not see in their local stores because of shelf space, etc. The more people that belongs to Buyers Clubs the better. I will see if there are any costs and let you know.

Yes, you can bring kids. I sometimes bring my twins; and I used to take the quads when they were little. We have a small "co-op" for babysitting and toys. The members work together for quick sorting, etc. We become friends and form a cooperative by working together.

I will keep you apprised of the Buying Club idea.
Thanks--

Foodie

 

Violinmusic and other Foodies--

I talked to UNFI today's representative; and she is forwarding me the details of setting up a large organic cooperative (Buying Club).

For those of you (or families) interested, either post queries under this post on the "Organics Odyssey..." post under the "Area Restaurants..." thread or PM me with your questions/concerns. I will get back with you as soon as possible and keep you apprised of the Buyers Club.

Thanks,

Foodie

 

Please count me in. Thanks.

 

WeLoveDisney and others--

Thanks for responding on this thread about the Buyers Club idea.

If for some reason we do not have enough people to form a Buyers Club--if you (or others are still interested)--I can give you information where other BUYERS CLUBS ALREADY STARTED AND UP AND RUNNING ARE LOCATED in Northern VA areas. I belonged to one in Purcellville, VA not long ago and still attend when time permits. Great group.

Thanks--and I will keep "y'all" updated on the progress.

Meanwhile, if you wish to see a "local or not so local"--45 minutes from Leesburg, VA--Organic Food Cooperative in action--check out the Common Market in Frederick, MD. Common Market lets you shop from UNFI's wholesale books too. Common Market also sells local organic produce and products. Below is their information and web site info:

www.commonmarket.com (Common Market's web site and info.)

Also, MOMS Organic Market--My Organic Market-- is now open in Frederick, MD too. Info below:

www.myorganicmarket.com (Moms Organic Market--My Organic Market's web site/info.)

 

Fellow Foodies--

Update on Buyers Club--I am still checking with United Foods for the idea of an Organic Buying Club (see previous posts on this thread) for Eastern Loudoun County. "Hit and Miss" phone tag today unfortunately. I will keep you posted on this thread. If you are interested--please post here so I can see what the member tally might be so that I give an "unofficial count" to United Foods.

For other Foodies that may be interested in Grassfed Meats, Poultry, and other Foods--check out the following web sites/info--I will continue to add to this list periodically--

www.futureharvestcasa.org (Future Harvest CASA is an organization that sponsors CSA(s), local farms, etc. There is a tab link called "Amazing Grazing" that is a directory of MD, VA, and WVA farms where you can order DIRECT from the producer/farmers. Great info.)

 

Fellow Foodies--

If you need info regarding Organic Foods, etc. ask here--and I will PM info. I just posted under the thread "Nature/Habitat..." under the post "Gardening Gurus..." info about gardening (conventional and organic) for you to view.

We are going on the first weekend of November to Concord, NC the Mid-Atlantic Farm Show. Web sites for Organic Farming methods, etc. will be under the "Nature/Habitat..." thread under "Gardening Gurus...".

www.midatlanticfarmshow.com (Mid-Atlantic Farm Show's info.)

 

Fellow Foodies--

For food-related info and web sites--check out my post called "Food Preservation, CSA(s)..." under "Area Restaurants..." thread for more options.

Good night--

Foodie

 

More Misc. Organic Web Sites/Info--

www.theorganicbutcher.com (The Organic Butcher is located in McLean, VA and this is their info.)

 

More Misc. Organic Foods/Info, etc.--

www.naturalfoodsmerchandiser.com (Natural Foods Merchandiser's site/info. Great resources with great Organic Foods to mail order and Natural Products for your home.)

***NOTES--Since I travel sometimes for Specialty Food Trade and Consumer-Related Shows--I thought some of you would enjoy this info. Unique and unusual products. Enjoy!

 

Hi Foodie, I would have PMed had I seen a button for it. I really don't follow these boards so I just learned of this. My husband forwarded the link to your thread. Anyway, we would be interested in a buyers club. I am often frustrated by the limited options we have locally.

 

Terri and others--

Regarding the United Foods Buying Club for Northern VA areas--I have just communicated with the Buyer Representative from UNFI (United Foods) today and am gathering info for you for contacts, etc. I am starting a separate thread under "Area Restaurants..." called "United Foods Organic Foods Buying Club Info...".

Please post under this post "United Foods..." so that I have an idea of how many people (families) are interested in participating. Any questions on how it works--read the info I posted under "Organics Odyssey..." on the "Area Restaurants..." thread. Any questions just PM or post under the "United Foods..." post.

Thanks and I will keep you posted.

Foodie

 

count us in too!

 

Brassy@39 and others--

I added you to the "United Foods..." post regarding Buyers Club Info on the "Area Restaurants..." thread. Feel free to add your name(s) on the "United Foods..." post.

Foodie