Food Co-op / Bountiful Basket Pick Up Instructions

I did this post as a guest blogger last month.  Now it is here for you!  If you didn't see the ordering instructions post, you can find them here.

When you order your basket, it can be a bit overwhelming picking it up.  If you have a bit of a social shyness like I do (afraid to ask questions, not wanting to start up a conversation etc..) it can be very intimidating.  So today I am here to show you what you can expect when you pick up your basket. 

First of all DON'T BE LATE!  If you are more then 20 minutes late you are out of luck.

Bring your little printout with you just in case they don't have you on the list.  In the last 2 years I have had to pull it out once when I was given the wrong bread.  So it is a good idea to have it just in case.

Bring something with you to take it home in.  Most people bring a large laundry basket.  I used to bring one until I tried my bags.  The bags were much easier for me to carry back to my car.  So I now use bags.  Some people even bring wagons, coolers and boxes.  It is up to you.

When you arrive you will see something like this.  

You may also see large lines.  The line on this day was small and some days they have no line at all.   Don't worry too much. The line moves pretty quick most of the time.  The lines are sometimes split up into times or sorted by last names.  Go to the front of the line and ask the volunteer with the clipboard what line you need to be in.

Once you are up for your turn in line, you tell the volunteer your last name and sign for your basket. The volunteer will then tell you what number your basket is.   Here comes the good part!

My basket on this day was number 20.  You will receive two baskets, you need to take BOTH baskets.  They are BOTH yours!  This was an ok basket, but most weeks are so awesome that your basket is overflowing.  Every week the basket has been more then worth the $15.00.  Now empty the goods in your own basket, bag, box, etc.. and go home.

If you ordered bread or other add-ons, you will get in another line (usually really short) to get your "add-on".  You have to get this bread.  I love it!  Even before I started dieting I thought it was the best bread ever.  I can't believe it is only 1 Weight Watcher's Point Plus (50 calories per slice).  I had to recalculate it five times to convince myself it was true.

Every few baskets it is great for you to volunteer.  This program is run only by volunteers and if they don't have enough volunteers, things don't run very smooth.  To volunteer just arrive early (the volunteer time will be on your print out).   Also as a volunteer, you get to split the leftover food.  So volunteering is a great thing to do! 

For ordering instructions you can see my post here.  Have Fun and Enjoy the healthy, affordable food!

Food Co-op / Bountiful Basket! Ordering Instructions!

I love, love, love participating in the food co-op.  For $15.00 I can get a ton of fruit and veggies.  For a bit more I can add on some of the 1 point amazing 9 grain bread.  Have you wanted to participate, but are overwhelmed when you go to their website to order?  I was when I started.  If it wasn't for my cute niece Niki, I would probably still be trying to figure out how to do it.  Well today I am here to help!

Step by step instructions on ordering your basket:

1. Go to http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/
2. Click on a little tab under the header called “register”.
3. Complete the form and click on “submit”.

Once you are registered, complete the following steps:

1. Wait to order until Monday at 10:00 AM for Utah.  For all other States ordering starts at Noon.  You only have until Tuesday to order, so hurry, because supplies are limited and they run out fast.
2. Go to http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/.  On the far left there will be a clip of a basket under the words “Offerings”.  Click on that basket.  It will take you to a current offering screen.  Click on “get my basket” under your state.  If you get to the website before 10 AM or noon (which ever time your state does it) the offering will not be there.  At this point you will log in and Bountiful Baskets will take you to an offer screen.
3. Complete the form by first selecting the county you want to pick your basket up in followed by the site you want to go to.
4. Choose how many baskets you want (3 is the limit).  If this is your first time basket you must pay a one time fee of $3.00.  Do you want to upgrade to an organic basket for 10 extra dollars?  Warning about the organic basket -- it is smaller, you pay more, and get about ½ of what you would expect when compared with a normal basket.  There are also add-ons.  I get the 9 grain bread.  It is absolutely delicious and it is very inexpensive.  To top it all off, it is only 1 weight watchers Point Plus per slice!  Yes this is the bread I ALWAYS talk about!
5. Press Submit.  Please note once you do this you are committed to the basket.  They do not offer refunds and if something comes up and you can’t pick it up, you are just out of luck.  Notice the handling fee of $1.50.  You have to pay this every time.
6. Click on checkout.  Enter your payment information.  Click on submit.  This will then take you to a thank you screen.
7. Click on "Printer Friendly Version" and print (top left under header).  Save the printout for your pick up day.

Don't forget to remember the date and time to pick your food up.

This is all the fruit I got on my last visit to the co-op.  Awesome right?  Wait we are not done...

We can't forget about the vegetables.  All of this for 15 bones and 0 Weight Watcher's Points Plus.  Amazing!

Come on over to my blog on Monday!  I will have the instructions posted on how to pick up your basket.
Update:  I will be posting the pickup instructions on Tuesday instead of Monday.