come shop with me!

I packed up my backpack with an extra canvas bag, my cotton produce bags, soap bottles that needed to be refilled, mason jars, and my collection of containers from my terrible gelato habit, then hopped on the train to the co-op!

Although places like Whole Foods usually have much bigger sections, most of the time you don't have a choice about using the plastic bags they provide.

I love shopping at the co-op for a few reasons:

1) They allow me to bring my own containers and I avoid creating waste altogether.

2) You pay for everything based on weight, so it's a much more affordable way for me to buy things!

3) They provide foods that are local and in season - this reduces the invisible waste and resources it takes to ship produce from far away.

4) Co-ops are owned by the employees and customers - who actually CARE about what they're doing, where the food comes from, and sustainability.

The bulk section is a great place to get any dry goods your heart could possibly desire. I stock up on almonds, cashews, vegan chocolate chips, and dried cherries for my homemade trail mix.

One of my favorite things the co-op offers is Equal Exchange - Fair Trade coffee! I love this because they offer about 15 different flavor combinations and a grinder so I can grind my coffee beans right there. I know I am going to get good quality no matter which one I choose, and I can feel good that the workers who produced it are being treated properly.

A few examples of other things I get:

- Wild Rice Mix

-Jasmine Rice

-Sugar

-Baking Soda

-Cornmeal

-Hulled Hemp

-Chia Seeds

-Coconut Chips

-Dried Fruit

-Pasta

-Beans

-Tea

-Olive Oil

-Maple Syrup

Non-Food Things You Can Also Get:

-Liquid Hand Soap

-Laundry Soap

-Shampoo

-Body Wash

-Bentonite Clay

-Vegan Pill Capsules

-Essential Oils

Of course, the co-op could not possibly stock every little thing that I need so there are still some items I have to purchase in a package, like powered sugar for example, but I try my best to find ones that have paper, metal, or glass packaging rather than plastic.

On the positive side, I have had much more luck at food co-ops finding things that fit my dietary restrictions. Rather than digging through the tiny gluten-free and vegan sections at 10 different grocery stores, I can usually get anything I need in one stop.

Although I do have to go a little bit more out of my way to avoid the chain grocery store that is right around the corner and make the trek to the co-op, I think that it is worth it. I can feel good about the choices I am making and my purchases are helping smaller business rather than the big corporations.

You can find a co-op near you using this link. My personal favorites include: The Dill Pickle Food Co-op (Chicago), Willy Street Co-op (Madison), and The Healthy Way (Door County).

Plus, if you become an owner, you get discounts and other fun benefits when you shop!

I hope this helps remind you to be mindful when you are shopping as well as gives you a few resources on how to do so.

xoxo