Can anyone shop at
the co-op?
No, we are not a retail store, and co-op benefits are available to members
only. Working with a small core of committed families is the best way to
consistently get the best food at the best prices.
What are the requirements for co-op membership?
The requirements for membership are few but important. Check out our
Member Responsibilities page to see if
co-op membership is for you.
I've read the <Member Responsibilities>, and that all sounds good to me. How
do I join?
Contact Marcie: freshfamilygoods@aol.com or 727-643-9916.
When can I shop?
The co-op is open Mondays and Thursdays, 1pm to 6pm.
Produce pick-up day is Thursday, and dairy/egg days are Monday and Thursday.
Pick-up of other special-order items (always Monday and Thursday too) will be
announced by Marcie every few weeks.
What should I bring with me when I come to shop?
Bags, cooler, ice, etc. Bring your iced cooler on dairy day. Dairy is very
perishable in the Florida heat. We provide some boxes and bags.
Please also bring these items, which we can re-use:
* Egg cartons
* Glass jars
What do I do when I get to the co-op to shop?
Your first time in, we will give you a tour of our co-op. Gather your items in
the baskets and carts provided, and bring them to the register to pay. (If you
are a non-working member, come prepared to pay that extra 10%.) Many times
there will be someone available to help you load your items.
How to I order produce?
We will be transitioning to an online ordering system for produce in Jan. 2010.
Marcie will post prices every Sunday, and orders are due by noon on Tuesday.
You must pick up your produce at the co-op on Thurs. between 1pm and 6pm.
Contact Marcie if you would like join the veggie-buyers group.
We keep a small amount of not-too-perishable produce on hand, for Monday
shoppers and for Thursday shoppers who did not pre-order. We cannot afford to
keep large inventories of perishable items on hand, so this on-shelf produce
supply will be small and somewhat unpredictable. Your best bet is to pre-order
your produce if possible.
How do I order fresh dairy?
You must pre-order milk through Marcie. Twice a week she will send out
email confirmation of the next milk order. Other fresh dairy products (e.g.,
milk, cream, cheese curd, cottage cheese, cup cheese) are occasionally available
too. Pick-up is always between 1pm and 6pm on Mon. or Thurs. In early 2010, we
will be transitioning to an online ordering system.
How do I order cheese?
We stock some cheese in the co-op, and you can buy this without
special-ordering. We special-order cheese from Amish country every two to three
weeks, and Marcie will announce by email when these orders are due. In early
2010, we will be transitioning to an online cheese-ordering system.
How do I order meats?
We stock some meat products in the co-op, and you can buy these without
special-ordering. Limited weekly specials are also available, and Marcie will
announce these via e-mail. Marcie will also occasionally solicit special
orders. To get the best price on meats, ordering by the case or half case is
your way. All case orders must be picked up on the scheduled delivery day. NO
EXCEPTIONS! In 2010, we will be transitioning to an online meat-ordering system.
How do I order eggs?
We keep some eggs in our co-op refrigerator, and you are welcome to buy these
without ordering. Egg orders will coincide with dairy orders, which will be
e-announced twice a week by Marcie.
During winter months, pastured eggs are very difficult to obtain. Be patient;
this lasts only a few weeks. The GIRLS need to rest once in awhile.
How do I order dry goods?
We keep some standard staple items on our shelves (for example, olive oil,
canned tomatoes, tinned fish), and you can purchase these without ordering. If
you want something you don't see in stock, please let Marcie know.
We regularly order dry goods from a number of suppliers. The frequency depends
on demand: The greater the demand, the more frequently we order -- and the
better the prices we get. Please buy your dry goods through the co-op whenever
possible.
Online browsing is available for United Natural Foods, our biggest supplier of
dry goods. Contact Marcie for access info.
What if I don't pick up the stuff I ordered?
Because the co-op does not have room to store everyone's orders, you must pick
up your items on the designated pick-up day (Thursdays for produce; as announced
for other items). If you can't personally pick up your items, please arrange
for someone to handle the pick-up for you.
You are responsible to pay for items you order even if you later change your
mind and even if you never pick up the items.
Any items that are ordered and not picked up on the scheduled delivery day will
be charged a storage fee of 10% per day for two days max.
If you do not pick up your ordered items within two days of your scheduled
pick-up, your items will be donated. You are still responsible for the cost of
the items plus the 20% storage fee.