Boulder Local Co-op: First post

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

First post

Hello!

I'm finally going for it with the first version of the Boulder Local Co-op. My aim is to create a place where Boulderites and other local folks (local is such a vague concept...) can shop for local foods, and eventually items created locally from local raw materials.

The mission of this blog is to promote a lifestyle consistent with lower carbon emissions, sustainable practices, and re-localize both the food supply and eventually the supply of other basic commodities.

I am starting small. The offerings for the first version of the co-op include 10 grains and nuts from as close as possible (the list is in the next post, and I will update when new items are available). They are organic, and if they seem a little strange (peanuts?) it's because they solve a problem for me. I'll take your needs into account as soon as I find out about them. I am trying to make the co-op convenient by offering the option of ordering online, paying online, and picking up on your own schedule. Some of this is new to me, or an experiment at best, so be patient.

An outline of how this works is under Basic Co-op Information. Note that co-op "rules" are adaptable at this time, so your comments are welcome.

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Basic Co-op Information

WHY A CO-OP?
We make it easier for Boulder County residents to find food grown locally, and for growers to provide the foods we need while making a living wage. We encourage organic farming and re-localize the food supply.

To these ends, we sell food with no herbicide or pesticide. Where organic inputs have been addded, we will let you know. We will not offer any processed foods at this time (maybe pasta or crackers in the future...)

WHAT IS AVAILABLE

I am starting with a list of 10 grains and nuts. I will post updates in the main body of the blog, which will also contain information on growers.

WHY NO PRODUCE?

I am starting small and simple, with items which have been difficult to find for folks trying to follow a local or a 100-mile diet. Maybe someday we'll open a grocery store and have one-stop shopping!

HOW DO I START?

We have a $10 co-op membership fee, which will be added to your first order, and will be reimbursed to you if you decide to leave the co-op. Its purpose is to allow purchase of plastic storage buckets, a scale, bags, and to provide cash for advance purchase of bulk items.

HOW DO I ORDER?

You can order what you like (see minimum and maximum) up to once a week. Send an email to myrtoashe (at) yahoo.com. You then pick up your order a few days later. Details will be on the return email. You pay through PayPal (not set up yet) or leave cash at the time of pick up.

MARKUP OR VOLUNTEER?

The price to you is calculated as bulk pricing plus 10%. We will reimburse folks who volunteer to pick up orders from suppliers, or make cotton bags for us. We will wave the 10% markup to anyone who comes up with good content for the blog, or a new supplier of hard-to-find items! Co-op finances will be detailed every 6 months on this site. If the profit grows disproportionate to volunteer efforts, then we will decrease the markup.

WHERE ARE THE ITEMS STORED?

Non-perishables are stored in my basement. Flour, nuts and seeds go rancid and will need quick turnaround and/or refrigerator storage. Date delivered and how it was stored will be available upon request, as well as ideal storage times and conditions for each item.

WHAT IF I WANT SOMETHING YOU DON'T SELL?

Please let us know what you are looking for, especially if you already know of a bulk source but don't want to buy the whole 50 lbs bag. We will expand the list of items offered as best we can.