Trying to find an organic farm, farmer's market, restaurant, grocery or co-op?

[MrsPinecone]

Look them up on this site! State-by-state lists of all kinds of organic farms, farmer's markets and co-ops!

www.localharvest.org

[MrsPinecone]

www.eatwild.com

Eatwild.com is your source for safe, healthy, natural and nutritious grass-fed beef, lamb, goats, bison, poultry, pork and dairy products. This site has three goals:
• To link consumers with reliable suppliers of all-natural, delicious, grass-fed products.
• To provide comprehensive, accurate information about the benefits of raising animals on pasture.
• To provide a marketplace for farmers who raise their livestock on pasture from birth to market and who actively promote the welfare of their animals and the health of the land.


Thanks to mnnice for the link!

[MrsPinecone]

Bump

[bargdill]

i too was looking for this, actually i was wondering about buying half an organic cow, after the last episode john and kate plus 8, any ideas how to do this, or prices?

[foodie]

Hi, "y'all"--

Just thought I would bump this thread about Organic Farms, Farmers Markets, Cooperatives, etc. Since we are farmers in N VA area with a family of 8 (1 set of 6 year old quads and 1 set of 3 year old twins--3 boys and 3 girls and 2 "very tired" adults--), we are also members of several farming cooperatives and other Organic entities. My husband is an Electrical Engineer Manager at a Defense company. He suggested for me to post the following info.

For example, you can join a Buying Club/Co-op where your food costs are reduced considerably since you "split" the costs (prices) and cases of products. You easily get up to 20% discounts on your purchases by doing this cooperative shopping method. Great way to meet others too.

The largest wholesaler of Organic food products is United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI). The United Natural Foods business also sells to large grocers like Whole Foods, Harris Teeter, Wegmans, and other major grocers nationwide as well as Health food stores. Their web site is below and you can contact UNFI or PM me for further details. The Co-op that we have in NVA (several groups) averages 20 to 30 members for monthly ordering. More than 20 members, they split into small member groups.

It is a great way to save on bulk foods, canned foods, diapers, dry goods, laundry needs, gluten-free items, meats, pasta, herbs, etc. It is like an "Organic" Sam's Club, Costco, and BJ's Club rolled into one "store". Everything that Whole Foods stocks in their stores nationwide, you can order through UNFI.

Also, you might try shopping at Ethnic Markets. For example, in our N VA areas, (and nationwide) there is a great Korean/Asian grocery store chain called H-Mart and Super H-Mart that carries a deeply discounted produce (and great selection of Asian and conventional produce--always fresh), hard-to-find- Asian and Hispanic foods, bulk rices (all types), etc. There are some H-Mart stores in NC, GA, and other areas. Also, try other Ethnic Markets, like Lebanese, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and other types of Ethnic Markets. Great ways to try new things for you and your family.

One other great place to save on bulk spices and bulk foods, is at Amish and Mennonite Markets. We have a great one in Germantown, MD area. Also, you can order some of the same bulk items that the Amish Markets carries online through their wholesaler. We are Mennonite farmers too and know of their suppliers. It is Dutch Valley Bulk Foods located in PA.

You might also try local Butcher/Meat Markets, Restaurant Wholesalers, or local farmers who sells meat by purchasing a certain amount of meat processed (i.e. half a cow, fresh poultry, etc.) You can also examine joining a CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) which is a Produce Co-op. You can find info at Local Harvest.

Sorry I am so long on this thread, but I am getting my Masters degree in Food Science/Nutrition online, so I am a "true Foodie"--. Also, try buying from local farms or markets at the end of the day for great deals. I will be happy to provide you more ideals if you wish to PM me.

Web sites are below--

www.unfi.com (United Natural Foods' site/info.)

www.hmart.com (H-Mart's site/info.)

www.dutchvalleybulkfoods.com (Dutch Valley's site/info.)

www.localharvest.org (Local Harvest's site/info.)

I forgot to add that UNFI also carries fresh dairy, milk, cheese, and frozen produce and frozen vegetables, pizzas, etc. Just like a regular grocery store. You buy monthly.

I hope posting this info is all right.

Foodie

[foodie]

talk2ham.1, mama22qts, and others--

For those of you interested in Dutch Valley Bulk Foods (a wholesaler from PA that direct ships to customers, stores, and Amish/Mennonite Bulk Food Stores across the country, etc.), you can order DIRECTLY ONLINE from Dutch Valley Foods. All you need to do is send a request for their catalog and fill out their online order form or call their (800) number directly to set-up your access to see their prices, etc. You DO NOT need to have a storefront--just provide your email, etc.

Secondly, I have been asked for Organic Food Cooperative, CSA(s), and other farm-related "Foodie" links. So below I have included more helpful information. If you are wanting to research Buying Clubs, Co-ops, etc., the best-known one is as I stated previously, is United Natural Foods (UNFI). Just go on their website or call them and tell them where you live and they will direct you to a Buying Club in your area if its available. If NOT available--Buying Club--you CAN still order YOURSELF (or form YOUR OWN Buying Club). The minimum order is about $400, I believe. So you can start your own Buying Club with co-workers, church groups, etc. and UNFI will set-up your account and explain everything.

More websites below--

www.coopdirectory.org (Cooperative Directory's site/info. Click on Directories links, etc.)

www.greenpeople.org (Green People's site/info. Links to all things Organic, etc.)

www.lancasterfarmfresh.com (Lancaster Farm Fresh's site/info. Co-op in Lancaster, PA area. May deliver to your area.)

www.organicconsumers.org (Organic Consumers' site/info. Great links for Organic products, CSA(s)/Co-op(s), etc.)

www.tog.coop (Tuscarora Organic Growers' site/info. Organic Farms Co-op in Lancaster, PA (and surrounded areas) that delivers to Whole Foods (East Coast stores), DC/MD/VA Farm Markets, and you can direct order from them for $150 minimum order. Check for your area for availability.)

www.unfi.com (United Natural Foods site/info. Largest distributor for Co-ops, etc. for Organics.)

Also, check out your local Independent Health/Natural Food Stores, farms, etc., for other leads on food purchasing. restaurant food distributors, food wholesalers, etc. Believe it or not, (hubby laughs), when I see a large transfer/tractor trailer truck on the road with a website, (800) phone number, etc. for anything food-related (i.e. distributors for ALL foods for restaurants, etc.), I write down the info and contact the companies.

Just think outside the "box" for foods. Ethnic Markets, Bulk Food Stores, etc. are great resources. Grocery stores aren't the only place to purchase foods. Also, notice produce (wholesaler) trucks in your areas. Alot of the time you can order from in bulk too. Find out who your local stores' distribution companies are and contact them.

Foodie

[foodie]

Forgot to mention that you can request a "sample catalog" from United Natural Foods to peruse. Over 20,000 items! Just call them.

Foodie

[foodie]

mama22qts and others--

I PM'd you with contact info on UNFI. Please call the United Natural Foods directly and mention the words Buying Club. Ask them for info--if they cannot help--PM me.

For all others, if you can't receive info or they tell you that no Co-ops/Buying Clubs in your area, PM me and I will contact them personally for you. Just tell me the general area you reside in by PMing me. Just click on the Contact Us links and go to the Eastern Division section for phone numbers, etc. If you need phone numbers, PM me and I will post info.

Thanks.

Foodie

[foodie]

Just thought I would re-post this info regarding Buying Clubs/Co-ops for those of you interested.

If you live in the N VA area (or other areas) and are interested in information, feel free to PM me or post questions and/or concerns on this thread. If you live in N VA area, we belong to a Buying Club in Herndon, VA and order from United Natural Foods monthly. I can give you further details if you ask. Just PM me.

Have fun--

Foodie

[MrsPinecone]

This is going to be so handy when I move. It will save a whole lot of driving around lost.

Also found:

Organic Foods Store Locator - Find Your Local Organic Food Stores and Suppliers

Search for organic food, hemp, organic cotton, and perform conservation through organic gardening.