Q: How and what do I pay?
A: Email us to sign up. Please read all of the FAQ before emailing to sign up.
The cost to join the co-op is $62. This includes: $7 for your 2 laundry baskets, $30 for your first basket, and $25 for the membership fee. Thereafter the cost is $30 for each basket. BRING CASH to co-op to pay for your basket and extra items (eggs, extra produce). We buy the produce as a group ahead of time, so the money you pay when you sign up goes to your first basket. The money you pay when you pick up your basket goes to the next one. If you decide to leave the group then you won't pay anything on your last basket, as you will already have $30 in the kitty.
Q: Can I pay by check or credit card?
A: Please bring CASH ONLY to pay for your basket and any other items you are purchasing (we often have raw cheese, avocado oil and olive oil, etc).
Q: Where do I get my basket?
A: We provide the baskets. Each basket costs $3.50. Using the same baskets makes keeping them all together much easier and efficient.
Q: Where does the produce come from?
A: Small family farms using sustainable growing methods in Phelan, Pinon Hills, Redlands, Cherry Valley and Northern San Diego County.
Q: What will be in my basket?
A: Produce according to season. Luckily, we live in Southern California and we have a year long growing season. Lots and lots of citrus in the winter, greens and avocados all year long, etc. Check out the basket list below to see what a January basket looks like.
Q: Can we choose what goes into our basket?
A: The organizers purchase items for the basket based on availability, ripeness/taste and price. We purchase as a group in order to get the best deals, we can not currently make individual purchases. You are always welcome to make suggestions based on previous baskets. We love input.
Q: Do I have to sort my own basket? What do I have to do?
A: Volunteers sort the produce we pick up into individual member baskets. You can offer to participate if you want to. It is lots of fun. We have formed a community that has a great time choosing to eat good food. You can also post recipes to our forum or pick up baskets for members who can't come to pick up.
Q: How much will be in my basket?
A: Here is what was in one of our January 2010 baskets:
Clementines
Mandarin Oranges
Navel Oranges
Oro Blanco Grapefruit
Eureka Lemons
Large Bacon Avocados
Assorted Avocados
Bag of mixed greens: kale, tatsoi, arugula (for salads or wilted greens)
Bibb Lettuce
Mustard
Parsley
Scallions
French Breakfast Radish
Fennel
Cilantro
Dill
Swiss Chard
Garlic
Yams
Onions
Q: Wow! This is a great deal. How do you get this stuff so cheap?
A: :) We purchase together as a group. We can get more stuff for less because we have developed relationships with local farmers and they lower the prices for us since we buy in such great numbers. It is hard for farmers to make a profit at farmer's markets, but with co-ops they can count on consistent purchases from a large group of consumers.
Q: Can we get eggs?
A:Yes. We buy them from farmers here in the high desert. Our chickens are free range and are fed with organic feed and produce.
Q: When is the pickup time?
A: Pickup time is 10 - 10:30 am, every other Friday. See the 2010 schedule for dates.
Q: I work and can't make it to the pickup time, can I still be a member?
A: Of course! We can find someone to pick up your basket for you. Some of our members choose to volunteer this way. Contact us for more details.
Q: I'm not always in town; I don't eat that much; etc, but I want to join, what can I do?
A: You can choose to join with a friend and share - or we can hook you up with another member of the group who wants to share.
Q: Do I have to be a member to participate?
A: Yes. You must be a member to participate or have express permission to attend a co-op. Send us an email to join.
