More ways to save with by Bobby Sullivan Looking to stretch your grocery budget? So are we! Co+op Basics offers everyday low prices on the same staples every week, so you can plan your weekly meals around affordability and quality. From kale, to beef, to cereal, you’ll find new low prices on some old favorites. Don’t worry, we aren’t paying our farmers or employees any less. We’re simply committed to improving our selection so that everyone can find more value when shopping the Co+op. Starting in early September, you’ll find more than 100 Co+op Basics items in the store. Just look for the purple logo you see above on the signs in our store. The Co+op Basics program is much bigger than our old “Back to Basics” program, and we’ve made sure most of the items are NonGMO Verified, Organic and Local where possible. And instead of these items switching on you like “Co+op Deals” items do, Co+op Basics items will be the same every week, as long as possible. The produce items may change seasonally, but most of the rest will not. You won’t have a hard time finding them in our store and for your convenience, there is a complete list on our website, which we will keep updated if there are any changes. Truth be told, this helps the French Broad Food Co+op pursue its primary goal, as outlined in the Vision Statement - “to be a transformative force in our community” and to be a “business alternative that nurtures social and economic well-being.” Many forget that we have the buying power of a 200-store chain because of our national cooperative association. These days, it couldn’t be more important. The fact is, as Asheville continues to be a popular destination to move to, or visit, we also have serious issues with poverty and food access – especially when it comes to healthy food. As the economy here keeps growing at a rapid rate for tourists and property owners, many who live here
are having a harder time keeping up with the increase in the cost of living. As we look toward the future, you can bet that your Co+op will be focused on just that! Some of the headliners of the Co+op Basics Program are Organic Kale, Carrots & Onions, Organic Bulk Tofu, Hickory Nut Gap Farm Ground Beef, Organic Short Grain Brown Rice and Organic and Fair-Trade Equal Exchange Coffee in bulk, Cabot Butter, West End Bakery’s French Batard Bread and Dr. Bronners 32oz. Organic Castille Soap. In the Grocery department look for the Field Day brand and you’ll find everything from canned beans to pasta, sauce and much, much more. Don’t forget to take advantage of these other great ways to save when shopping the co-op: Co+op Deals – our biweekly flyer focused on packaged grocery and wellness products. Co+op Deals Coupons – Look for the Co+op Deals coupon books and save! Hint: The items we have coupons for will go on sale in a Co+op Deals flyer, so you save twice ! Owner Deals – ownership has its perks; look for the bright orange Owner Deals signs. Sales are for Owners only, and last an entire month. 5% on the 5th –Active Owners get 5% off your entire purchases on the 5th of every month, sale items and alcohol not included. Special Orders – Special order items in case quantities, and we will give you 20% off if you are an owner, or 10% off for non-owners. Bulk – save when buying just what you need; buy a pinch or a pound. Bring your own container and you save the environment too!