The Basics:
Bountiful Baskets is a volunteer co-op where you pay $15+$1.50 shipping fee (at least that's what it is in AZ) for fresh produce. They try to get 50% fruits, 50% vegetables. You don't know what you are going to get because it all depends on what they can get the best deal for. You log onto their website which is bountifulbaskets.org on either Tuesday or Wednesday of the week you will get the basket (if you want to try it then sign up on either the 15th or the 16th) and then select your state, they have spread like a wild fire lately since it used to only be in AZ. Then follow the instructions from there. For your 1st basket there is a $3 fee but after that it's just the above price. Then you will select your location which should have the time on there as well. For now Rexburg's only site is the Middle School in the cafeteria, don't know the time. More sites will be added if the popularity increases. Then you go armed with your own laundry baskets (or I've started using the reusable bags- they're easier for me to carry, I usually take 2-3). They tell you what basket is yours and then you load up and go home!
They also sell other things throughout the year. I bought 2 boxes of peaches, 1 box of pears, a picnic basket, and a mexican pack from them. We also bought our christmas tree through them last year. You can also get boxes of cherries, tomatoes, oranges, itialian packs, etc. The mexican pack is everything you would need to make salsa at a great price. The picnic basket had all kinds of summer fruit such as watermelon, blueberries, strawberries, etc. I look year round at the price of produce so I can can it since we don't have a garden yet and the best price was through these guys. All of this stuff is option but you get it at the same time as your regular basket.
They do ask that you volunteer on occasion which is super easy and only takes a few hours on the day of pick-up.
My camera is dead and I can't find the charger so here is a picture of a basket I got back in June.
In Saturday's basket I got 10 bananas, 7 oranges, 11 pears, 1 container of strawberries, 10 apples, 1 of those really small watermelons, a head of lettuce, 2 bunches of broccoli, 8 tomatoes, 2 green bell peppers, 4 yellow squash, and 4 cucumbers. Nothing crazy this time.
They say it will last a family of 4 for 2 weeks, which is what we do. My sister-in-law buys it weekly though. I have mixed feelings on this. If you eat your fruits and veggies like you should (we don't- oops) than it will probably only last about a week. However I think it's only being offered in Rexburg every other week anyways. The other thing is that sometimes the produce is very ripe and needs to be eaten quickly. I love it when some of the produce is ripe and some needs more time. Also some of the stuff has a longer shelf life than others. But a lot of it you can freeze, we always have too many bananas left so I freeze them for smoothies or bread.
On their website there is also a link called produce storage information so when you get random things like brussel sprouts you will know how to store them and for how long. They also have a chat room where you can share recipes and ideas. I found some great fruit leather ones for when I have too much fruit of any kind left and it needs to be used. Hope this was helpful and not overwhelming. Let me know if you like it!
1 comment:
hey breonne i saw that they have a pick up location in idaho falls too and im interested in trying it out. do you get to choose the fruit and veggies that go in your basket?? once you sign up to you have to do it every week or 2 weeks? its usually just me at home and i dont think i will need too much stuff but definatly want to give it a try. thanks for your help
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