Shivananda
03-27-2006, 11:10 AM
I'm bumping this over (just invented that term) from the Welcome Forum, because I thought some of those posting questions over here about reducing raw food costs might benefit from it.
What I have been saying is that there are buying clubs and natural foods coops all over that may help you to reduce your costs on items that are hard to find locally... but if not, start one yourself! And spend some time online looking for bargains you can find by buying in bulk
And here's an example... outside major metropolitan areas, white coconuts may be hard to find... although they are more widely available than many realize until they actually dig a little. But here's an online retailer of Thai food specialties I found in California who sells them 4 for $6. But those 4 weigh 10 pounds, so shipping only 4 at a time the total price nearly triples, even if you choose the cheapest way, FedEx Ground at 5 days delivery time to the east coast.
But, the more you ship the lower the shipping charge get per unit. So order 24 coconuts ($36) and shipping FedEx Ground ($40) only totals $3.15each, about what Whole Foods here in the Boston area charges today. For two people, a dozen coconuts each, it seems very doable to me. Four people, 6 coconuts each, $19 apiece, it should be simple enough to do if you can't find them locally. .
Now, this is ONLY AN EXAMPLE (although the prices shown are accurate as of today) and I HAVEN'T ACTUALLY DEALT WITH THIS COMPANY* myself, so check them out for yourself. But it's a viable approach for many things.
*Online white baby coconuts 4 for $6 at GroceryThai.com
http://grocerythai.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/33?osCsid=7757d5bdfbabfaa2598713888a10bc7e
What I have been saying is that there are buying clubs and natural foods coops all over that may help you to reduce your costs on items that are hard to find locally... but if not, start one yourself! And spend some time online looking for bargains you can find by buying in bulk
And here's an example... outside major metropolitan areas, white coconuts may be hard to find... although they are more widely available than many realize until they actually dig a little. But here's an online retailer of Thai food specialties I found in California who sells them 4 for $6. But those 4 weigh 10 pounds, so shipping only 4 at a time the total price nearly triples, even if you choose the cheapest way, FedEx Ground at 5 days delivery time to the east coast.
But, the more you ship the lower the shipping charge get per unit. So order 24 coconuts ($36) and shipping FedEx Ground ($40) only totals $3.15each, about what Whole Foods here in the Boston area charges today. For two people, a dozen coconuts each, it seems very doable to me. Four people, 6 coconuts each, $19 apiece, it should be simple enough to do if you can't find them locally. .
Now, this is ONLY AN EXAMPLE (although the prices shown are accurate as of today) and I HAVEN'T ACTUALLY DEALT WITH THIS COMPANY* myself, so check them out for yourself. But it's a viable approach for many things.
*Online white baby coconuts 4 for $6 at GroceryThai.com
http://grocerythai.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/33?osCsid=7757d5bdfbabfaa2598713888a10bc7e