Being Booga

The SHARE Colorado Warehouse Food Sale happened on Saturday, May 10 in Denver, Colorado.

I participated, and I’m so glad I did!

What can you fit into a 12 x 12 x 14 cardboard box?

As the photo shows you can fit a lot if you pack it well! Could you believe that you could fit over $100 worth of groceries and meat into it?

You can! I wasn’t sure how it was going to work. I expected a savings of at least 25% but I was amazed to find out I was able to fit an estimated $115.00 worth of meat and groceries into that little $30.00 box! I saved an estimated 74%!

The SHARE Colorado Warehouse Food sale works like this:

Each shopper gets a shopping cart with 2 boxes. You can choose to just get one box, or you can get several boxes - there’s NO LIMIT.

Each “box” (12 x 12 x 14) costs $30.00.

They don’t care what you put into the box, so long as the top can be closed and taped flat. So it was extra fun to see how much I could actually get into the box. I did a lot of rearranging and sometimes I’d find something I really wanted so I’d take something out and put it back, in order to fit something else. When it was all done, I had a few very small spaces left at the top of the box where 3 little boxes of strawberry jello fit perfectly. I had a packed-full box with NO wasted space.

Here’s what I got:

Meat / Seafood / Deli:

3 lb. Boneless Pork Roast
1 lb. Ground Turkey
7 oz. Cocktail Franks
2 lb. Bratwurst
1 lb. Breaded Fried Shrimp
3 lbs. extra lean ground beef
2 lbs. buffalo steak
6 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast
1 lb. Pollock Fillets
2 1/2 lbs. chicken leg quarters
1 lb. beef franks
12 oz. package bacon
5 ounces shaved turkey

(23 1/2 pounds of meat!)

Pantry / Frozen:
24 oz. Bag Birds Eye Classic Italian Blend
4 packages strawberry jello mix
1 jar grape jelly
18 oz jar peanut butter

Dairy / Produce:
2 1/2 lbs. Sharp Cheddar Cheese
2 1/2 lbs. Jack Cheese
16 oz. American Cheese Slices
2 tomatoes

Estimated Value $115.00 (and this is based mostly on store sale prices)
Cost: $30.00
SAVINGS OF 74%

The shopping experience was similar to any warehouse shopping experience such as Costco or Sam’s. The food items were kept in their boxes and were loaded high on pallets, the aisles were wide, and with it being a warehouse there was an open-market feel. People browsed through the aisles, shopping and placing items in their carts and into their boxes. When finished, we went through the payment line where volunteers gave us a tape gun to close up our boxes and take payment.

Easy!

I only got ONE BOX and yet my freezer is FULL of frozen meats and seafood and I have well over a few month’s worth of cheese and meat. Not too bad!

The great thing about this program is that it’s open to everyone. Another great thing is that there is NO LIMIT on how many food boxes you can buy. Only having $30 to spend, I opted to just get one box. But I saw families shopping with their kids, who had 2 shopping carts (2 boxes in each cart).

TIPS TO MAXIMIZE SAVINGS:

There were a lot of pantry items available such as pasta, canned goods, pasta sauces, juice boxes and mixes. Items such as these are easily found on sale throughout the year at major groceries and can easily be combined with coupons. If you want maximum value, pass up these items and go for meat and seafood and dairy which usually cost 2.99 - 6.99 a pound even on sale. This way you can buy these foods for less than $1.00 a pound! That’s right, I added up the pounds of meat I got and it added up to about 24 pounds.

I also got a few other items such as peanut butter and jelly and I picked up the jello boxes because I had some tiny spaces in my box to fill and I enjoy strawberry jello! The “$30.00 per box” is what FITS into the box and it doesn’t matter how much the box actually weighs.

I’m definitely going to be watching for future chances to participate in my SHARE Colorado Food Coop. I spoke to one of the volunteers on my way about volunteer opportunities. She invited me to come on out for the next “bag day” where they get the monthly food orders ready for distribution. I set the date in my calendar so I can show up and volunteer. This program is mostly successful because of volunteers and it’s a program that’s making a huge difference to me and for families of this region so I’m going to do everything I can to help them.

For more information and to check on upcoming events see the SHARE Colorado web site.

Like this information? Have something to add or something to say? Please comment!

Or:

There’s FREE fun and wholesome goodness available to those who are lucky enough to live close to a town or city that has a Botanical Gardens. Many communities’ Botanical Gardens are gearing up for the season by hosting Spring Plant Sales, Free Admission Days and Education / Special Events Days.

My own Denver Botanic Gardens is offering Free Admission to the public this weekend during its Annual Plant Sale.

On Saturday, May 10, 2008, from 10 am to 4 pm, the public can enjoy the Gardens and free admission to tour the Gardens or join in the bloom-bargaining fun.

Drawing thousands of people, it’s sure to a be a wonderful event but one that, if not well-prepared for, you may not be able to take advantage of all the great deals.

Carol O’Meara, at The Rocky Mountain News has put together an awesome guide on how to prepare for and get the most out of these special events.
I think this guide would be useful and applicable at any large Botanical Gardens Plant Sale.
See the Guide Here

For my Blog Readers and Subscribers I also went around the ‘net and rounded up some information on Plant Sales and Free Days at Botanical Gardens in other cities.

Here’s my list along with links to the Gardens’ web site’s events pages.

Berry Botanic Garden
Montgomery Park in NW Portland, Oregon
Next Plant Sale September 27, 2008
More Information

San Francisco Botanical Garden
More Information

Brooklyn Botanic Gardens Sales and Events
More Information

University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley
**FREE Admission the first Thursday of every month
More Information

Leach Botanical Gardens
Portland, OR
I couldn’t find “Free Admission Days” but they do have a Spring Plant Sale.
**I was pleased to find out they also host a Seed Exchange.
More Information

Mother’s Day Perennial Plant Sale
**featuring Master Gardeners to answer questions
UBC Botanical Garden in Vancouver, Canada
More Information

I realize this is a very short list. If your city is not represented, simply search “Botanical Gardens Plant Sale” and your location to find out if a Botanical Gardens close to you offers these special events. See the top-right of this page for a Google search box.

Here’s an idea if you’ve missed your Spring Sale or other special event:

Why not write in your mom’s card a future “date” you plan to take her for a fun filled time together at a Botanical Garden!

What is happening in your community this weekend? Please let us know by posting it in comments! Thanks and have a fabulous weekend!

Here’s a chance for Denver residents to save on their grocery bill.  SHARE Colorado, a large food co-op, is having a Warehouse Food Sale.

SHARE Colorado - If you eat, you qualify!

** WAREHOUSE FOOD SALE **

FILL A BOX $30.00

DENVER COLORADO
9360 Federal Blvd.
Denver, CO 80260

MAY 10, 9AM-NOON
12 X 12 X 14
BOX BOXES WILL BE PROVIDED
**NO LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF BOXES PER CUSTOMER**

FROZEN FOODS AND PANTRY ITEMS

Share Wish List / needs:

*   Snow Plow for company truck to plow parking lot
*   Atrists to paint murals on our trucks.

Call Terri at  303-428-0400 X 1005

SHARE Colorado
9360 Federal Blvd.
Denver, CO 80260     303-428-0400
1-800-933-7427

Visit their web site for information:
www.ShareColorado.Com

SHARE Colorado is a food co-op operating in Denver that makes groceries affordable for everyone.

Unlike most food programs that are need-based or require some sort of qualification, SHARE is open to everyone.

According to their web site, you can average a 50% savings - that is, if you purchase their “Classic Package” for $25.00 they say the same products in local markets would cost over $50! They have several packages available and you can even order specific items ala carte.

Not only will you save cash but you’ll save TIME - because the packages are put together for you - all you have to do is pick up your order at a community center or church in your neighborhood. Ordering is easy. You can call SHARE Colorado or use their web site. You can view the packages and even download menus that are created around that month’s food items.

They also state on their web site that are not there only to serve low-income families, but that everyone qualifies - “If you Eat, You Qualify”.

The program helps everyone save money on groceries so they can use their money elsewhere.

How the program works:
Those who wish to participate locate their local distribution center and order their grocery packages ahead of time. Then the items become available for pick up on distribution days at various locations in Denver neighborhoods.

There are similar programs in communities nationwide. The co-op in Colorado was formerly known as WORLD SHARE and is now SHARE Colorado and serves affiliate communities in an 8-State Region. I was told that there are similar programs / food co-ops in communities all over the US.

The program is largely run by volunteers, they only employ 6 staff which includes grocery buyers. They also rely on tips from volunteers on good information about grocery pricing. They purchase large quantities of food at a discount or at wholesale and pass the savings on to us by using volunteers to make it work each month.

You can get started right now by viewing the May packages and placing your order on their web site.

The APRIL Classic Package costs $25.00 and includes the following:

Organic Meatballs 12oz - Tex-Mex Skillet Dinner 44oz.(feeds family of 4) - Bratwurst 16 oz
Breakfast Sausage links 12 oz - Ground Beef xtra-Lean 1 lb - Hamburger Dinner
Potatoes(6 ea) - Onions(3ea) -Lettuce Radishes Tomatoes (2ea)nMangos (2ea)
Lemons (2ea) Oranges(5ea) Grapefruit(2ea)

It’s too late now to order the April package, but you can preview and order your grocery packages for May. The web site is http://www.sharecolorado.com

I’ve always been interested in Food Co-Ops as a great way to involve myself in the community and save money. SHARE Colorado helps me do both. I look forward to saving money, eating well, and participating in something in my community.

SHARE Colorado serves the following Regions - The links allow you to search for an ordering and distribution center by zip code:
South Dakota :: Wyoming :: New Mexico :: Nebraska :: Texas ::Kansas ::Oklahoma :: Missouri :: Arizona :: Utah ::

Other Sources of Information:
What is a Coop? :: National Cooperative Business Association
Coop Directory

Do you participate in a food co-op or grocery buyer’s club? Do you know of similar programs in your area? What are some more ways you know of to save money on groceries?

Please Comment!

I am so excited today because I signed up for PayPerPost.

PayPerPost is a place where advertisers and bloggers can meet. What I love the most about PPP is the fact that I can still write about what I WANT to write about, what I am passionate about - and make a little money while doing it.

It’s free to sign up, too. I can log in anytime and check out open opportunities in subjects that match what my readers are interested in.

The first place I go when I log in is to the PPP Marketplace where I can browse blog ads and find opportunities to get paid for writing.

I’m hoping I can earn some extra money by writing about different products and services that I think would be of interest to my blog-audience and community members.

What will I do with the money? Well, I’m all about using the best quality cookware that money can buy and I’m slowly collecting the All Clad Copper Core pots and pans. The next one on my list is the All-Clad Cop-R-Chef 12-Inch Fry Pan.

So I think if I write some content from PayPerPost blog ads, then in a few weeks or months I might be able to afford it!

Aside from earning some extra money, I think that working with PPP might make me a better blogger.

This Post is….

Fabulous!