Bulk Orders
What exactly do you mean by "bulk orders"?
Most of the items you see on the shelves in the co-op are available to you directly, at a reduced unit cost, if you order them straight from the vendor. The larger the quantity you order, the more significant your savings.
In addition, there are many products, such as free-range frozen meats, that are only available through bulk orders. (You might think of bulk ordering as a "larger store" overlaid on the co-op inventory that you are already acquainted with.)
What kinds of products are available through bulk orders?
You can purchase everything from cocoa powder to vitamin B12 to organic leeks to Amy's Frozen Pizzas to frozen chicken breasts directly from our vendors.
From staples to indulgences...from fresh to frozen...from raw ingredients to ready-to-eat treats...it's all available in bulk.
How can I find out more?
Stop by the co-op and browse a bulk order catalog. Or call our manager, at 765/983-1547 with your specific questions.
How do I place an order?
Just stop by the co-op , fill out an order form (.pdf document), and we'll do the rest. We do ask for full payment, or credit card number, at the time of your order, since the products you select are above and beyond our regular inventory (and as a community-based non-profit organization, we're lean on space and budget). In the rare event that a product you order is out of stock with a vendor, we will provide a full and prompt refund.
The co-op orders regularly from four different major vendors: United Natural Foods, Frontier, NOW Foods, and Stow Mills. Brief descriptions of the kinds of products available from each are below. Each has its own catalog, but you can use a single order form provided by the co-op for all of your orders.
You can place an order anytime. The co-op orders from some of its vendors weekly, others biweekly, others only as needed. As a general rule of thumb, you can expect about two weeks' turnaround time for a bulk food order. More specific information is available each time you place an order. We'll call you when your order arrives.
Who can place bulk orders at the co-op?
You must be a member in order to purchase bulk foods through Clear Creek Food Co-op. (Co-op memberships are available for $10 annually and will allow you to participate in "members-only" sales each week at the co-op. Plus, you'll pay "face prices" for co-op goods on our shelves, without additional markups. And you'll know that your membership fees are applied toward paying the not-very-glamorous wages of our manager and assistant manager, whose work is important to us!)
Is there a minimum order amount? How about additional fees?
There is no minimum order amount. However, orders of less than five of a single item, or less than five pounds of an item sold by weight, are considered "special" orders and are subject to an additional 35% charge. That's still a noticeable savings compared to purchasing co-op goods off the shelf and represents the best and fairest price we can offer you while also remaining solvent!
Meanwhile, standard orders (of at least five of a single item, or at least five pounds of an item sold by weight) are subject to a 25% charge above the price of the goods you are ordering.
All this sounds great, but I don't want to order so much at once. Can't I bulk order with a friend?
Sure. In fact, drop us a line if you want us to share your name, phone number, and email address with other folks who might want to split a bulk order with you. We'll post this mini bulk-ordering directory at the co-op. (You never know. Sometimes even the co-op itself will split an order with an individual. If in doubt, ask....)
What products are available from the different vendors?
- United Natural Foods and Stow Mills: all kinds of groceries, including fresh produce, frozen foods, snacks, free-range meats, drinks, and staples like flour, sugar, etc.
- Frontier: health and beauty products, spices, teas and coffees
- NOW Foods: all kinds of dietary supplements, including vitamins, minerals, and extracts, to name just a few
Please give us a call at 765/983-1547 or email us at coop@clearcreekcoop.org if you'd like to hear more.
