Frequently Asked Questions
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 $66. This includes: $6 for your laundry basket, $35 for your first basket, and $25 for the membership fee. Thereafter the cost is $35 for each basket. It is always CASH ONLY at co-op when paying for your basket and extra items (eggs). We buy the produce in bulk from farmers ahead of time, so part of the money you pay when you sign up goes toward your first basket. Each time you pick up a basket, the money you pay goes to the next one. If you decide to leave the group then you will collect your last basket and owe nothing, as you will already have $35 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 (like eggs).
Q: Where do I get my basket?
A: We provide the baskets. Each basket costs $6. Using the same baskets makes keeping them all together much easier and efficient. You can bring bags or your own laundry basket to transfer the produce into when you pick it up.
Q: Where does the produce come from?
A: Small family farms using sustainable growing methods in Phelan, Pinon Hills, Newberry Springs, and Redlands.
Q: What will be in my basket?
A: Produce varies according to the season. Luckily, we live in Southern California and we have a year long growing season. Lots and of citrus in the winter, strawberries and avocados are mostly year-round. Check out the basket list below to see how a fall basket often looks.
Q: Can we choose what goes into our basket?
A: The director purchases items for the basket based on availability, ripeness/taste and price. We purchase as a group in order to get the best deals; we do not make individual purchases. That said, you are able to trade unwanted items from your basket and choose additional items from our extras table. 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 are invited to participate, but it is not required. Volunteering can be a great experience… make new friends, get recipe and storage tips from others, and get first pick of the extras. We have formed a community that has a great time choosing to eat good food. You can also 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 October 2022 baskets:
Strawberries
Red Flame grapes
Valencia oranges
Tango mandarins
Lime
Broccoli
Carrots
White potatoes
Yams
Garlic
Brown onion
Extras only:
Apples - Fuji
Beets
Celery
Cucumbers - Armenian
Eggplant
Herbs -
Kale
Onions - red
Plums
Spinach
Swiss chard
Winter squash - Acorn, carnival
Zucchini
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 larger numbers and have been doing so since 2008. It can be challenging 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: Are there any other fees?
A: Yes. We have a semi-annual fee of $10 that is paid in both February and August. This money goes toward the insurance we must carry to rent the building we use as well as to pay the rent.
Q: Can we get eggs?
A: Yes. We buy them from farmers here in the high desert. The chickens are free range and are fed with organic feed and produce.
Q: When is the pickup time?
A: Pickup time is 9-10:30 am, every other Friday. See the 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. Send us an email to join. You can also pre-print the registration form below, if you'd like.
