Bountiful Baskets

When I started this blog, my intent was to highlight events/people/places that make Tulsa such a unique place to call home.  This week I’m going to stray from that just a wee bit and highlight something that I think is just fabulous, even if it’s not Tulsa-centric.  Besides – it’s my blog and I can do what I want.  Plus, if you're a loyal reader and don't live in the Tulsa area, consider this a special post just for you!

Some time ago my very dear, sweet, friend B. turned me on to a service called Bountiful Baskets.  Personally I found the name a little on the hokie side but honestly, what else are you going to call it.  Bountiful Baskets is a food co-op that operates throughout the US.  If you’re unfamiliar with a cooperative, it’s a really great concept.  A co-op is a group of people who pool their money (or resources) and work for the betterment of the group.  In this case, everyone is contributing towards the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables, purchased in bulk, directly from the supplier.  In most cases, the produce you receive is grown locally and because of this, the quality is so much greater than what is available to you from your local grocery store.  Most produce available at the neighborhood market has been shipped in from all over the world and has been sitting in cold storage.  It’s not bad but there are other options available to you.

Bountiful Baskets Food Co-Op (BBFC) is an all-volunteer organization with no contracts, no employees, and no hidden catches.  In participating, you have the opportunity to get fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables at a significant savings.  In addition to fruits and vegetables, you also have the opportunity to purchase “add-ons”.  The most common add-ons are:

Ø  Tropical Granola ($10) – a mixture of oats, honey, sugar, coconut oil, dried pineapple, dried papaya, and nuts

Ø  Assorted bread pack ($10) – three loaves of 9 grain bread, one loaf of hot cross buns, one baguette

Ø  Hostess Pack ($13) – the week I placed my order they were hoping for red potatoes, dill, avocado, yellow onion, rosemary, asparagus, radish, sage, celery

Ø  Minneola Tangerine ($19.50) – approximately 40 pounds

The most popular item is the standard basket.  The standard basket is half fruit, half vegetables and will run you $16.50.

I picked up my first standard basket last weekend and I have to say, I was super impressed.  It’s an efficient system with minimal waiting and the quality of produce I received was phenomenal.  My basket contained the following: 

Ø  Broccoli

Ø  Cauliflower

Ø  5 huge baking potatoes

Ø  3 large grapefruit

Ø  Asparagus

Ø  7 blood oranges – I love blood oranges and these have been so good

Ø  Bananas

Ø  Living Butter Lettuce

Ø  Cucumber

Ø  3 Yellow Onions

Ø  Pineapple!! – not gonna lie, I was over the moon about getting the pineapple.

I priced the items in my local grocery store and if I had purchased everything there, it would have cost me almost $30.  So not only is the quality better (I think) but the savings is significant!!  Between BBFC and my local Farmer’s Market, I’m not sure I’ll ever buy produce at the grocery store again. 

BBFC is a great way to get fresh, quality produce at significant savings.  And let’s be honest, unless you’re a vegetarian, chances are you are not eating enough fresh fruits and vegetables.  This is the perfect opportunity to start taking better care of yourself and get back on track with that New Year’s resolution you made three months ago.

Check out http://bountifulbaskets.org/ for all the details, locations, prices, ordering instructions and everything else you need to know.  I promise you will not be disappointed.