Healthy Eating on a Budget Tip #5

Join a local produce co-op. A co-op, or cooperative, is a group of people who get together and pool their money to make a large purchase of fresh, local, and organic produce. The produce is then divided evenly amongst the participants for a fraction of what it would cost at a supermarket.

Ah I look forward to the co-op all week. Seriously all week. I get the first email on Monday reminding me that I need to sign up to buy the fresh veggies that week. So I sign up. Then I get the follow up email with a list of extras that I can order. Mmm so many tasty decisions. So I reply with my extras list (2 coconuts, 2 bags of spring mix, and strawberries this week). Then it’s time to dream and imagine what I think will be in the produce shares this week. Will there be cucumbers again? Cilantro? Tomatoes? Chard? Ah, it’s a long wait until Saturday!

The fun really starts when I bring my produce share home. What should I make? Definitely tom kha soup. Probably roasted beets with tahini. Obviously tons of salad. Hmm maybe some salsa to go over a Mexican frittata. Ah probably some rosemary french fries… the possibilities are endless. I’ll keep you posted as to what I make!

Do you have a co-op or produce buying club near you?

I'm off to go eat!
Emily

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