There are moments in my life where I feel like I’m living in a film. The trees shine greener. Light flickers and casts friendly shadows. It’s cinematic, as if somewhat set up this scene — just for me, us. These moments hit me when I find a simple solitude. Sometimes it’s just a great song. By reducing my possessions, selling my car, buying a bike, and focusing on what’s important, I’ve begun to feel it more often. But there’s one piece that lags behind: my diet and eating habits.
The weakest point for the longest time has been eating out. Generally, it’s expensive, unhealthy, and wasteful. Not a great combination, but a great treat every now and then. Unfortunately, I struggle to make it occasional.
This is all despite watching countless documentaries (i.e., Fed Up, Food Inc, Super Size Me, A Place At The Table) about problems with industrial farming, agriculture, and the various health consequences of our fast eating habits. While I’ve never really had weight problems, my body definitely feels worse depending on what I eat. And more than that, I want to find a frugal way to shop that’s healthy for me, the environment, and the employees of said company.
That inspired me to turn to my local food cooperative (co-op). Co-ops are totally different from most of our capitalistic system. Most of the time, businesses exist to make the owners and shareholders exorbitant amounts of money. But co-ops exist — most of the time — to support the “members” and “consumers” instead. This shift of interests is reflected in pricing, staffing, and profits. As you might imagine, co-ops grew out of the 60s/70s and have a social bent.
Co-ops are present at many credit unions, where members are the shareholders, and even the popular outdoor/adventure company, REI. Sometimes, they pay special dividends at the end of the year to their members, too!
A little over two years ago I moved to Iowa City, Iowa for graduate school. I was in a bit of a food desert. The closest place was a little, local grocery store called New Pioneer. I didn’t understand it, and every time I went shopping there I paid a 5% surcharge on every purchase because I wasn’t a member. When I asked about membership, they told me it cost $60. Spending that amount of money from my budget — not even on food — was troubling. I was hesitant to drop $60 on a piece of paper that called me a member, and wondered why this was any different from Costco (where you have an annual membership due).
For starters, New Pioneer is a cooperative grocery store, where I receive a dividend check every year they make profits. I get to support a group of people that have more respect for their employees. As for my health, the foods are generally without artificial colors, flavoring, and creepy ingredients that are part of our massive industrial agricultural complex.
Since I sold my car, every time I bike over to the co-op I’m saving gas money and being easier on the environment – it’s a breeze. I load up my backpack with groceries, which are simple, healthy, and natural. Take a peek inside and you’ll find salads, fruits, eggs, pasta, coffee, and rice. They’re ingredients that suit me, my stomach, and are friendly to the world.
With my backpack full, riding home by bike is invigorating. I’ve minimized my impact. But then I think about my budget: can it handle shopping for organic and/or natural foods?
Well, that’s the exciting part about minimalism and my budget! I’m now saving $300 more per month by not having a car, and the food — simple as it is — doesn’t actually cost much at all. That’s what I call a win-win.
Have you thought about joining a food co-op or shopping at a local farmers’ market?
Aldo @ MDN says
This is pretty good. We are part of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), which helps us eat healthier and we help a local farmer, but it doesn’t pay us a dividend check. Maybe I should check on out and buy the rest of the stuff that the CSA doesn’t provide.
Kurt @ Money Counselor says
I hope you don’t mind if I suggest one more food documentary: Forks Over Knives. I’ve been following its food prescription for over two years now, and I think I’m benefitting tremendously. You’ll save money on this way of eating too!
Mrs. Frugalwoods says
Coops can be great! We too are constantly in search of healthier, cheaper foods (it seems like a lifelong quest 🙂 ). Glad you found a place that works well for you! P.S. I love your bike wheel photo! Very clever.
Genie says
Thanks for the nice mention. We are glad you found us! One really beautiful way to save it to buy just as much as you need. At our Co-op we have bulk choices in nuts, grains, spices, and even produce like mushrooms and locally grown carrots. Food for thought: The famous local physician Dr Terry Wahls says that all the locally grown organic food we carry is actually a much better deal, no matter how you “slice” it. Locally raised organic food, grown in soil that has been enriched with compost, actually has more nutrients per pound than conventionally raised produce. So, you are getting more bang for your buck!
New Pi Eats says
Thank you so much for the flattering post! We’re honored to have you as part of our community. We can’t thank you enough for writing about – and really getting – the Co-op lifestyle.
Kayla @ Red Debted Stepchild says
We don’t have many options like that where I live, but if there were more choices, I’d totally join!
"She Said" ~ frugalvoices.com says
I’m not sure we have any co-ops around here. I think I’ll do some research on that. Right now, we just read the labels of everything we buy. There are some ingredients that are sure fire problems for me. Food colors, anything from the polysorbate family, dairy, and caffeine ( I LOVE the picture of the decaf coffee), to name a few (trying to find foods that I like without all of these things is a challenge). Just remembering the side effects from these ingredients keeps me on track. Thanks for another great suggestion (co-ops). I only recently started purposely buying from local farm stands. It’s been Yummy! Hope you keep on feeling better and better, Sam, and here’s hoping you enjoy the new school year! 🙂
taylorqlee says
I’d join our local co-op all but for the fact that their prices are about 20% higher than the Whole Foods down the street. While I commend the model of community owned enterprise, wilted veggies at a premium isn’t something I’m keen to do. Re: farmer’s markets, I always get home after the Monday one near my house ends. =(
fitnpoor says
I have not really seen that many co op opportunities around the city, but in my hometown you can buy into them to get local produce from the farmers.