Environmental-Friendly Produce Buying Club for Dallas-Fort Worth

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Local, Certified Organic Produce
Buy what you want; pay farmer directly

Produce cooperative buying for the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. If you are interested, please read description, then fill-in the form below.

There is no additional charge for this buying club. Simplicity is the order of the day.

1. Form a group in your community, neighborhood, or workplace of 3 to 6 families. Your own co-op or buying club so to speak.

2. Have everyone understand they will take a turn driving. Work out your own driving schedule within your group. There may be someone you want to include who can not take a turn. Be aware that someone must drive, though, as there is no delivery service. Also be aware that no one needs a van or truck to do this. Even a small car is fine.

3. Decide on a contact person. The contact person fills out the form below to start, choosing "Contact Person for My Group."

4. Each Monday morning, I will send an email newsletter to the contact person with a list of the certified organic produce that SHOULD be available the following Saturday. Should be available? Understand that farming is full of surprises like rain, no rain, hail, unexpected cool or hot weather, etc. that can change expected produce supply.

5. The contact person lets you know what is available. You tell him/her what you want to buy on the following Saturday--no later than Wednesday morning. Handle payment then or after you get the produce; payment to the driver is the decision of each individual group and each individual group handles payment with the farmer.

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6. On Wednesday, or Thursday morning at the latest, group leader compiles group's order and calls it in directly to the farmer.

7. EARLY Saturday morning, someone in your group drives to the farmers' market in Coppell or Grapevine (or both--they are not far apart) to pick up the produce and pays the farmer directly. The markets usually open at 8 am.

8. The driver takes the produce to his/her home, sorts it out, and each person picks up their produce on Saturday afternoon--or--there is a group delivery time such as church the next day or work on Monday morning. Delivery at a later date means that week's driver must use refrigeration or ice chests to keep the produce cold.

9. Farm fresh produce will normally last two weeks (or more) so there is no need for a group to drive more often than every two weeks. This means with four people in your group, each person will only drive 4-5 times in a 7 month growing season. Get six people and you will cut it driving times down to 2-3 times in the entire growing season. More than 6 families becomes a hassle, though, plus the amount of food ordered may be too much for a small car.

10. You buy only what you want, pay the farmer directly, and don't pay any processing or middle-man fees.

11. A few local farmers are supported.

12. This will not take the place of a trip to the grocery store. It will give you farm-fresh, local, certified organic produce in season and the satisfaction of knowing you are supporting your family's health and the health of our planet..

There are two farmers who are certified and will participate in this. That should take care of many, many families. If you know of certified farmers who come into the metroplex every or every other week-end or who are willing to come into the metroplex that often, even if they come in for farmer' markets, please let me know at metro 972 988-8687, ext 3104, Please include your own contact information and contact information for the farmer.

Why certified? Some farmers do grow produce organically who do not go through the certification process. Some say they grow produce organically who are not telling the truth. We don't have a reliable way to check farmers so we will stick with those who are USDA certified organic.

What if I want to form a group but don't know people who want to participate? Fill out the form below choosing "Will Organize a Group." We will let people know who are looking for a group to join.

What if I want to participate but can't or won't form a group? Maybe we can help you get in a group. We will try. Fill out the form below, choosing "Please Find Me a Group." If a group forms in your area, we will let you know.

What if we don't want to drive so far to pick up produce? At this time, we don't know of certified organic farmers at other markets. However, Coppell and Grapevine are central to the metroplex, you will not have to drive often, and the highway system coming into the area is superb as "all roads lead to DFW Airport."

Call metro 972 601-9032, ext 3104 for information. Please leave name and number or better yet, fill in the form below.

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