How Shopping at a Co-op Can Save Money on Groceries

Caring about the food system has developed an expensive reputation. (When a carton of organic strawberries often costs double the price of their conventionally grown brethren, it’s easy to understand why.) As the cost of food has increased dramatically over the past few years, even those who are most dedicated to their health and the long-term sustainability of the food system have begun to wince at the subtotal on their weekly grocery bill. Enter the co-op: a foodie’s best chance for getting organic, local, and fair trade products at prices that benefit their budget.

“Increasingly, many people want to shop from places that have values that match their own. They want to see that companies care about the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. Shoppers at our Co-op get more bang for their buck because our values align,” says Devorah Sawyer, marketing manager at the Berkshire Food Co-op in Great Barrington, which was founded in 1981 to bring better quality food at an affordable price to the Berkshires. “Our regular sales, discounts, bulk buying options, and many other initiatives for members make the Co-op competitive with other stores, with higher quality and better impact on the local economy.”

Cooperative Principles

The main reason why the Co-op is able to balance its sourcing priorities with better prices, Sawyer says, is because of its cooperative structure and principles.

As a member of a larger cooperative called National Co-op Grocers (NCG), the Co-op has stronger purchasing power that lowers prices on everything from everyday staples to higher-cost items. The Co-op is also able to invest the money its owners pay in a one-time cost of purchasing their ownership share into special pricing initiatives for those members throughout the year. That all means that its commitment to sourcing all-natural, whole, local, humanely raised, and healthy foods that are grown or made by producers prioritizing equitable labor practice can be offered to shoppers at more affordable prices than other grocery stores or markets.

Here are just a few of the many ways the Co-op helps its members save money while purchasing the groceries that most align with their values.

Monthly Owner Deals, and Weekly & Flash Sales

Every month, the Co-op offers a variety of exclusive discounts for its owners across all categories of food. For October, owners can save dollars off everything from daily staples like Organic Valley milk to sweet treats from Endangered Species chocolate, while weekly and flash sales offer discounts on organic fruits and vegetables, seafood, and more. Find the latest deals on flyers at the Co-op or through its newsletters and social media.

Bulk Buying and Case Discounts

The bulk section is one of the great joys of shopping at a co-op, which offers shoppers the ability to buy only what they need—both reducing waste and saving money. It’s not all just granola and dried beans at the Co-op, either. Owners and non-owner shoppers alike can choose to buy in bulk for teas, herbs and spices, nuts, coffee, grains, baking ingredients, soap, oils, maple syrup, and honey, as well as grind-your-own peanut and almond butter.

click to enlarge

Courtesy of Berkshire Food Co-op

Similarly, the Co-op also offers its owners discounts for buying items in bulk by the case. From bone broth and canned goods to seltzer, members can get case discounts by ordering in advance each week and save 10 to 30 percent off the shelf price.

Co-op Basics Program

Everyone knows that it’s the essential items like cereal, baby formula, and paper towels that have seen the steepest rises in price over the last few years. That’s exactly what the Co-op’s Basics Program is for – to offer discounts on over one hundred popular grocery and household items throughout the store. Shoppers can also find deals on everything from frozen fruit to canned veggies, condiments, chips and snacks, and more.

click to enlarge

Courtesy of Berkshire Food Co-op

Meal Planning & Cooking Tips

For those in the know, meal planning is one of the best ways to ensure less food goes to waste at home. The Co-op regularly shares recipes and other tips for cooking and meal planning through its newsletter and in the store, where shoppers can find recipes featuring seasonal items to make groceries stretch further each week.