Annie's Organic Buying Club
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Frequently Asked Questions: Basics:
More Specifics about ABC :
Nitty Gritty:
Support Your Club:
Tired of the limited selection, poor quality, and high prices of organics? Join the Club! Annie's Organic Buying Club is here to help you fit real foods into your life. Our boxes are always varied, never boring, include as much local as possible, and we always offer recipes and cooking suggestions so you know how to use everything in your share. We offer a variety of size shares and kinds of shares to make this work for each of our uniquenesses while taking adavantage of the buying power we are as a group. We are here to help - just ask! PLEASE NOTE: By sending in your payment, you confirm that you have read, understand, and agree to these Terms & Conditions between you and Annie's Buying Club.
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Terms & Conditions: We are a group of consumers (health conscious, quality conscious, price conscious, and foodies) tired of the overpriced and slim selection of organic produce at the local grocery stores. With over five years experience in the organic food industry, Annie combines her background with her passion for cooking and seasonal organic produce to create a great value of the best available for each week's share. Are there any start-up costs, membership fees or any other charges? At this time there are no start-up costs, membership fees, or any other charges other than paying for your share each week. We are offsetting the costs associated with this buying club with affiliates in our green links. We encourage members (and friends) to use these links when making purchases to any of those businesses. |
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Do I need to buy or rent a cotton bag? Do you reduce, reuse, recycle? We have no membership fees or other charges for things like bags. We reduce, reuse, and recycle and as such will reuse all the boxes in which we receive our fresh produce. We also encourage you to drop off grocery store bags, reusable cotton bags, and paper bags so we can use them to split future shares. Thanks! When and where do I pick up my share or is it delivered? We are a no frills buying club working together to get the freshest seasonal produce and putting all our money into the value of the food itself. We deliver the food in bulk to each drop location, but we do not offer personalized delivery to each members home. It's highly likely we have a pick-up location convenient to where you work or live. We have locations forming throughout Florida, from Key West to Jacksonville. When you sign up, enter your address so we can figure out which drop spot is the closest for you to pick up your share. We can give you an idea of your closest location with availability once we have input your address but, understandably, we cannot disclose the exact location of the pick up location nor can we hold a spot at that location until you have paid for your first share. Once processed, we will send you the exact address of the pick up location and information on how and where to receive your bountiful share of wonderfully fresh organic produce. UPDATE: Routing is now confirmed so you will know the day to expect a share in your area. Once paid, we will send you the window of time for pick up and the exact location and that is closest to you for picking up your share. Payment must be in at least one week in advance to secure your share. You should be on a regular schedule, either weekly or bi-weekly. Best to make your payment for your next share when you pick up your current share. For your first share, we have a variety of options to get your payment in on time. DELIVERIES will be: (this is subject to change to best accomodate our members; paid members will be notified of changes promptly) BROWARD
MIAMI-DADE
PALM BEACH
MONROE - FLORIDA KEYS
and throughout Florida:
NEW GROUP OUTSIDE FL: North Carolina What do I bring with me to pick up my share? Bring an interest in organics, green living, and healthy food. Bring an enthusiasm for fresh produce and new ways to prepare it. You'll be carrying your share to your car so bring a strong helper if that might be difficult for you. It's helpful if you would please bring some plastic, paper or cotton reusable bags or boxes that your coordinator can use to split up shares for your next delivery. Don't forget to bring payment for your next share if you didn't already mail it or if you haven't already paid online BEFORE picking up your share. If you are bringing a check, please have it ready and made out to "Annie's Buying Club" for the correct amount. If you are paying by cash, bring exact change as your coordinator is not responsible for making change. If you bring more than the amount due for your next share, we will use the additional money as a credit toward a future order. BAGS:
What if I don't like or can't use something included that week? What if I'm allergic to a particular fruit or vegetable? Our shares are always a good balanced mix of fruits and vegetables. We purchase each week based upon the requests of any given group and can customize orders to each groups preferences. Most weeks you will enjoy everything in your box fully. But there may be a week here or there that you get something that may be new to you, you may not like, or worse, you may be allergic to a particular fruit or vegetable one week. The good news is that even if you don't like or can't use one item, the shares are such a great value that it won't really matter. Even without one thing here or there, the box would still have been more had you bought it at the local grocery store. But we try harder. If you cannot use it, we will offer an extras table at your pick up location where you can place any item and take something as a replacement. When we know that you are allergic, we will not even add it to your box. When we know you cannot use something, we will do our best to replace it this week or another week with something of equal value. If something is strange or new to you, we make it easy for you to try it. We include recipes to help you and can answer questions on the best or simplest way to enjoy something. We want each member to be happy and figure that over the course of several weeks, it all works out well for all of us. How much is a share and how do I pay? Full Shares are $45. Half shares are $35 and include some of the items included in the Full Share but not all of them, and the quantity may be less (for example, 1 tomato instead of 2 or 3.) We also offer an add-on Fruit Share for $10 for those of us that enjoy even more fruit that included in a box and now a NEW $20 or 2Fruit Share add-on which includes even more fruit. There are other extras that you can choose to order as well in each group as described here. We offer a variety of payment options for your convenience:
Make payments out to Annie's Buying Club. The mailing address is: Annie's Buying Club *Please note that credit cards and checks take up to one week to clear so that will delay the week you can start your share, unless you have been pre-approved to pay by check. Therefore, if you want to get your first share this or next week, choose one of the other methods of payment this time. If you want to pay by check for the future, please be sure to get that payment in now so that we can apply it to share you will pick up in two weeks. Once you make a payment, especially if online, please confirm via email that you are ready to start! We are excited you want to join us! First step is to sign up here on the site. Be sure to let us know if you want a full or half-share and if you want to pick it up each week or every other week. Then send your payment. We will send you the exact address, date and time for pick up once your payment is processed. How can I become a Buying Club Coordinator and get my share for free? What do I need to do as the coordinator for my group and how much time is required? As the Buying Club Coordinator for your area, you would be responsible for helping us distribute shares to the members in your group.
Your primary responsibility is to accept delivery, check it for accuracy and quality, sort it fairly for the members of your group, and allow each member to pick up their share at a mutually convenient time. You also help take pre-orders for additional items each member may want and collect payments from members for their next share. At first, this may take a little longer until you get into the swing of things, but we calculate that this can all be done within 2 hours (not including pick up hours), maybe less once you know the routine. I cannot be a coordinator but I'd still like to help, what can I do? In order to make this buying club work, we all rely upon one another to do something and help. Some of us sort, some of us spread the word, some offer recipes, some help by offering to coordinate the groups. The amount of work is rewarded with receiving your share at the great value of only $45 to getting your share at no cost (for buying club coordinators.) If you cannot be a coordinator but still want to do something to get a discount on your box, you may be able to assist the coordinator in sorting the shares for the members of your group. If you are interested in this, let us know and we'll work out a schedule that will work for you to help at your location. If you cannot help sort, you can simply help by letting others know about us. Send out an email to friends or forward one of our emails. Pass around flyers and let friends, neighbors, yahoo groups, facebook friends, church or synogogue members, mommy groups, other parents at schools or friends in school, even your local dry cleaners know about us. We can send you flyers or you can download them here. Thanks to all of our hard work, together we can continue our quest for fresh organics and more at prices well below retail. Thank you for doing your part! What if I want or need to cancel either for a period of time (like when I go on vacation) or for good? We know you don't want the stress of worrying about your share or finding someone to pick it up while you are away. Nor do you want to add stress to your group's costs when you are about to embark on some much needed R & R, we understand that. We have no trouble suspending your share for a future pick up date when you go on vacation. We ask for a week's notice, but we know we can all have an unexpected emergency. Just let us know and we will do our best to find someone to purchase your share so that we can apply your payment to a future share. No worries. We are here to make this easy and enjoyable for you. However, if you do find someone to take over your share, we appreciate it! Many times that's a great way for someone to try out the club and they usually end up enjoying shares regularly thereafter. You can also choose to donate your share either by splitting it amongst the other members of your group or by donating it to a local Food Bank or grateful family. We can help get your prepaid share to a group or family in need if you let us know. I'm just not sure; can I just try it one week to decide? We can certainly understand hesitancy especially when you haven't seen how gloriously fresh our organic produce looks and how wonderful truly fresh organics can taste! We are a club and even though we have no membership fees, we rely upon one another to make this work. Since each week's box can vary, we respectfully suggest you try at leat three shares (3 weeks or for 6 bi-weekly shares) before you decide whether you like it or not. You can cancel as stated above with 1 week notice so you can email, call, or let your coordinator know at pick up that you will no longer be picking up or that you simply want to suspend until a time certain or until you let us know when you are ready to rejoin us. So just let us know if this is not working for you. If you want to share why, maybe we can help. Maybe you aren't getting enough leafies or fruits, we may be able to resolve things like that with substitutions or another kind of box. We appreciate you giving us a try and letting us know how we can improve but realize that a surprise mixed box of fresh organic produce is not for everyone. If you are set on just trying this one time, which we don't feel is a fair way to try us out, just pay an extra $5 for your share, so $50 for a full share and $40 for a half share. What if I'm late making my payment? Can I still get my box? We have you scheduled to pick up weekly or every other week. Payment is expected by the week before your next pick up so we have the funds to buy your share for you. If you do not pay on time, we will do our best to still get your share for you but we will require a $5 late fee so please, just get your payment in on time, best to just make payment when you pick up your prior share. I need to request a later pick up due to my schedule. Will my food keep okay? We will always do our best to accommodate you with a mutually convenient pick up time between you and your coordinator. Please understand that we are a community buying club and not a store. Items are received into someone's home and are not under refrigeration once delivered. You will be given the delivery and pick up times for your location. For optimal freshness, pick up your share within two hours of delivery. We can only guarantee the quality within that two hour window. If you KNOW you are going to be later than that, in order to keep more sensitive produce fresh, we highly recommend you drop off a cooler with frozen ice packs the morning of your delivery. Your coordinator is happy to pack your share in your cooler for you to keep it at a better temperature. What if something I get isn't in good condition? What if something is missing from my box? What is your credit, refund or return policy? Our buying club focuses on fresh organic perishable produce. We recieve shipiments directly from the farms and suppliers. You will generally find the quality impeccably fresh. In fact, our members find our produce lasts longer because it is so fresh: directly from farm to truck to us! We do send you and post a list of everything we expect to receive each week, however substitutions may occur due to quality or availability issues. We always try to substitute something for another similar item as best we can, and we always include the same value. So while we try to get the same things for every group, sometimes one group may receive something different as a substitution or may, at times, receive more of something if something else wasn't available in the same quantity, making sure each box is always the same great value. Please inspect your box before you leave your pick up location. We can only get a credit from our farms and suppliers by letting them know about any issues within two hours of delivery. If there is an issue with an item in your share, leave it with the coordinator and explain why it is unacceptable to you. If there was a problem (noticeable bruise from mishandling, for example) we will get you a replacement item or add something to your box in the coming weeks. The driver and your group coordinator will refuse any produce that does not meet our high standards of freshness and quality. There may be times that something is substituted for another item of equal value. We each must take responsibility for our own shares. If something does not arrive as expected, the coordinator will have refused it. In that case, it will not be included in your box and you will be advised of that fact. We will then get a credit from our supplier for that case and they will in turn add something extra at corresponding value to make up for this issue in a future delivery. We are a cooperative and as such work together to make sure you get the value for which you have paid. We do not credit your credit card. We do not issue cash credits. We do not issue credit codes. We do not refund cash or refund money. We will make sure to include something of equal value in future orders. We will make it up to you with extra gloriously fresh produce and extra attention to your share. We want each member to be happy because, as a buying club, we can only continue our service by working together. Oh no! I forgot to pick up my share or I'm running really late, what do I do now? You prepay for your share a week or two in advance and you are responsible for picking up your share or having someone else pick it up for you during the set pick up hours, or a mutually convenient time as set between you and the coordinator, on your delivery day. We understand that emergencies happen and you may be delayed on occasion. Please contact our main office 800-517-5121 or better, your coordinator directly, before the close of the time allocated for pick up at your location to let him or her know of your delay and when you expect to be there. We will make every effort to coordinate a late pick up for you. We may even be able to ask another member to drop it off as a courtesy to you but we make no warrants or guarantees that we can make exceptions to the agreed upon pick up location and time for you to pick up your share. If you cannot pick up your share and you cannot get anyone else to pick up your share for you, and if we cannot make other arrangements to get your share to you that day, you may donate your share to a food bank, donate it to another needy family, or we can split it amongst the other members in your group. If you completely forget to pick up your share and do not call (and get a hold of us) or email us (with email confirmation of a reply) before your pick up time has expired, we will take that as permission to donate your share. No refunds or credits will be issued for missed shares. Please note that the coordinator may charge, at her or his discretion, a late pick up fee of no more than $5 if you pick up much after your specified pick-up window, especially without prior arrangement with the coordinator. That fee will be paid directly to the coordinator. Also note that picking up your share late consistently or forgetting to pick up your share may cause the cancellation of your membership. We are a buying club, not a store, and must work together and be courteous to make this work. We do our part of getting the fresh organics to you, you do your part of paying and picking it up in a timely manner. How can I let you know what I want in my share? Since we are a buying club we are pooling our money and buying in bulk like a retail store only without the middle man so our produce is fresher and we get it at a better price. While we cannot customize each share, we do care about what you want since this is your club. When you complete your registration we will ask specifics about what you do and don't want generally however, each group can customize their box as a group decision. Please tell your coordinator or email me to let us know what you want the following week and we'll order it if available and as long as no one in your group has a strong dislike to those items. We want you to get the fruits and vegetables you use most so always tell us how to improve our shares and service. What did you get in your shares recently? I'd like actual examples of the selection you receive to help me decide. Variety and selection changes each week. We do listen to your requests and can customize boxes for groups. The boxes are always super fresh with a nice balance of fruits and vegetables and never boring. We always source as much local produce as possible first and supplement with produce requested by members. Remember that there is usually a swap box so you can put something you don't want and take something you prefer; many times there are extras that all members getting a full share are welcome to choose as well. We always include recipes and can help answer questions about preparing everything in your box each week. We want you to eat and enjoy everything in your box. To give you an idea of what you can expect, here are some examples of actual past shares that we have received. This is also the place to visit to see what we are expecting to receive in the coming week. Please check here each Friday (late morning/early afternoon) for an updated list of the fresh organics you will get to enjoy in the upcoming share* the following Monday or Tuesday: For Organic Produce pick up this week - Optional Add-on:
Link here to grab our flyer to email to friends - thanks for sharing the love! Download Adobe Acrobat to read our recipes. This is our expected list* but substitutions may occur due to quality concerns. This is the list expected for south Florida, for those from Palm Beach county and further north, the list may be a little different and normally each group will get an email with the list to expect although substitutions may still occur with something of comprable value. Juky 26th week* includes a vibrant mix of Red, Black, Yellow, Red, White, Gold, Blue, Pink, Orange to get your creative colorful juices flowing with recipes:
# not in half shares Fruity45
Veggie Shares:
$10 FRUIT:
$20 FRUIT:
June 19th week* we offer an Asian-inspired box to tempt your taste buds:
#not in half share Veggie/Berry 35:
Fruity45:
$10 Fruit add-on:
$20 Fruit add-on:
$5 Leafy add on: choice of 2 Leafies
$5 Herb Share:
sadly we could not get in more Lychees, farm is done harvesting for their very short season
July 12th shares in south Florida will include several things we picked up locally as well as seasonal fruits and recipes including:
Veggie/Berry 35:
Fruity45:
$10 Fruit add-on:
$20 Fruit add-on:
$5 Leafy add on: choice of 2 Leafies
$5 HERB add-on:
*Lychees are from a local farm we trust and are USDA Certified Naturally Grown and Organic Exempt. Certified Naturally Grown makes it more affordable for smaller farms that meet organic standards to be certified but not cert org. This certification has very strict standards that must be met on the land for a minimum of three years, like organic cert. Similar to organic, they must be produced without the use of synthetic fertilizers, cannot be irradiated, cannot use sewage or sludge-based fertilizer. They must use organic or naturally cert untreated seeds and are only allowed to control weeds and pests naturally. see more on Naturally Grown Cert here: http://www.naturallygrown.org/programs/producestandards Exempt from Organic Certification process is applied to small farms that comply with organic standards see more on the Organic Cert process here: http://www.qcsinfo.org/organic/manuals/guidancehandbook.pdf Specifically to read about Organic Exemption see 1.4.2 Exemptions & Exclusions ABC always chooses to support our local farmers first, those that make a difference on our land and in our health by using safe practices that meet organic standards. We know this farm and trust them and feel confident in the certifications they have worked so hard to attain, however if you are uncomfortable with these standards, we can substitute another fruit.
July 5th includes some staple items in our Basics Box with a twist - some colorful fireworks with Golds, Purples, Reds, Yellows and recipes:
#not in Half Share - instead Fruity share will receive:
Veggie/Berry Share will include Strawberries as the only fruit, all the vegetables listed above plus:
$10 Fruit add-on:
$20 Fruit add-on:
$5 Leafy:
*Lychees are from a local farm we trust and are USDA Certified Naturally Grown and Organic Exempt. Certified Naturally Grown makes it more affordable for smaller farms that meet organic standards to be certified but not cert org. This certification has very strict standards that must be met on the land for a minimum of three years, like organic cert. Similar to organic, they must be produced without the use of synthetic fertilizers, cannot be irradiated, cannot use sewage or sludge-based fertilizer. They must use organic or naturally cert untreated seeds and are only allowed to control weeds and pests naturally.
Exempt from Organic Certification process is applied to small farms that comply with organic standards see more on the Organic Cert process here: http://www.qcsinfo.org/organic/manuals/guidancehandbook.pdf Specifically to read about Organic Exemption see 1.4.2 Exemptions & Exclusions ABC always chooses to support our local farmers first, those that make a difference on our land and in our health by using safe practices that meet organic standards. We know this farm and trust them and feel confident in the certifications they have worked so hard to attain, however if you are uncomfortable with these standards, we can substitute another fruit.
June 28th brings us Grilling & Picnic fun with possibilities for colorful fruit salads, slaw, grilled Port burgers, grilled acorn squash, grilled sweet potatoes, guac (with the herb share add on) and colorful refreshing desserts and recipes:
pictured Veg Portobello Burger for 4th of July by Enlightened Cooking blog Don't forget to preorder extras including salads and dairy each week. $10 Fruit add-on:
$20 Fruit add-on:
$5 Leafy:
$5 Extra Veg Share:
$5 Herb Share:
Fruity45:
Veggie/Berry35:
June 21st box includes fresh produce for an Asian-inspired menu & recipes including:
Fruity45:
Veggie/Berry35:
HERBS $5:
$5Leafy:
$10 Fruit add-on:
$20 Fruit add-on:
link here to see more actual past shares and the recipes included for what we've received
I am scheduled to pick up on Monday but Labor Day, Memorial Day or Yom Kippor fall on Monday? Most Monday deliveries will be rescheduled for WEDNESDAY on days that a holiday falls on Monday unless otherwise explained by your coordinator so please confirm with her or him for your location. FOR LABOR DAY: All of Broward and Palm Beach EXCEPT for HOLLYWOOD will get deliveries TUESDAY even if you normally get a delivery on Monday. All of Miami-Dade EXCEPT for HOMESTEAD will get deliveries WEDNESDAY. If you normally get a Tuesday delivery, that will remain the same. REMINDER - if you normally get a delivery on Monday, Memorial Day your delivery is moved to WEDNESDAY instead. Doral delivery will be Tuesday instead of Monday that week. All other deliveries will be unchanged based upon the regular schedule. I'm afraid I won't know what to do with something - do you offer recipe and cooking tips for the contents of each box? But of course! We always include recipes that use all of the vegetables in each box (many include several of the vegetables in any one given recipe) and sometimes even some great recipes to use some of the fresh fruit. We also include information on a vegetable or fruit that may be new to you and some preparation tips. Plus, give us a call or email, we're here to help make sure you eat and enjoy your veggies! Link here for our box recipes from past shares. What are the fees if I bounce a check or it is returned NSF? Look, we understand mistakes can happen. These kinds of things cost us money. Please make sure there are sufficient funds in your account and don't bounce your payment as we will charge $15 for a bounced check or returned check NSF and you will have to prepay by cash for all future orders. If we have to hire a firm to collect the fees, you will be responsible for their fees too. |
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How do I sign up to receive your email newsletters with more information? Sign up below and be sure to check the box for Annie's Organic Buying Club so we can keep you in the loop on buying club news, what extras you can order each week, what will be included in your share, and our expanding convenient pick-up locations. If you would like, you also have the option of receiving the following newsletters:
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A grassroots effort for the freshest affordable organics. Join us in making the world a better place, |
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www.AnniesBuyingClub.com email: info@anniesbuyingclub.com |
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©Copyright 2008-2009 Annies Buying Club. All Rights Reserved. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation, links, and web site information intact, and with specific permission only. This copyright applies to all information contained herein. |
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