If like me you would like to eat more organic food, but are put off by the price when you go into a wholefood store, then starting a food co-operative could be the way forward!

What do I mean by a wholefood co-operative?

My definition of a food co-operative is a group of people buying food from a wholesaler for their own use. No profit will be made from the co-op it is simply a way to benefit from the cheaper food prices.

The best way to start up a co-operative is to get in touch with you local wholefood wholesaler, (www.suma.coop are a large UK wholefood wholesalers) and ask for a catalogue. Generally speaking wholesalers will allow a group of people to order food together as long as it meets certain terms and conditions and the minimum purchase order. When you get in touch with them just explain what you are wanting to do, don’t lie about it and say that it is for commercial use, most wholesalers are quite happy to sell to food co-operatives.

If you work in a bar, café, restaurant or office, this would be ideal place to start a food co-operative the easiest thing to do is to ask everyone to choose what they want from the catalogue and get their money first before you make the order. Then ask for the food to be delivered to your work and divvy it up when it arrives.

Advantages of a food co-op

You will benefit from the cheaper wholesale prices, in some cases products will be up too one third cheaper than in the shops.
You are supporting smaller businesses by buying from them rather than a large supermarket.

Disadvantages of a food co-op

One person will need to do the organisation; collecting the money from everyone, placing the order, dividing the food up when it arrives.
Wholesalers generally sell their food in bulk, you will need to buy a case of one product rather than one item. Cases are usually in batches of six or twelve.
There will be a minimum order value for some wholesalers it can be low under £100 and some wholesalers will be more.

Once you get into the swing of things and placed orders two or three times you will probably find it is relatively straightforward and will be glad that you have started a food co-operative.