Bountiful Baskets

Despite JT's indifference, we went ahead and put in an order with the Bountiful Baskets Co-op this week. As a first timer, there was a $2 surcharge ($17 instead of $15) and we also got a loaf of artisan bread. A delivery fee of $1.50 is also included, making the total $20.50 for the following:

• 1.8 lbs plums (7)
• 3.2 lbs nectarines (8)
• 6 ears of corn
• 1.25 lbs green peppers (3)
• 2 lbs sweet onions (3)
• 1 lb bag of baby carrots
• 1 smallish head romaine lettuce
• 2.35 lbs of red grapes
• 4.7 lbs of cantaloupe (1)
• 2 lbs of celery (1 head)
• 2.4 lbs of bananas (8)
• 0.7 lbs of green beans
• 3.5 lbs of tomatoes (3 big ones)
• 1.5 lbs artisan bread loaf

The process for pickup was fairly simple. As a co-op, in depends on volunteers, which are supposed to arrive ~90 minutes before pickup time (about 6 am on a Saturday!). They receive the pallets of produce and other orders and divide up all the produce into small baskets--this week into two. When I arrived at about 7:50, the Carriage Lane Park lot was mostly full, and I got into line behind 10 or so other people. A check-in person verifies your order (bring your receipt) then you get to directed to the check-out person--1 of the 10 people or so that watch over a group of baskets. You transfer the produce from their baskets to your basket/bag and then you're on your way, unless you got other stuff. This morning there was a station for bread, so I stopped there and put the basket into the car. One favor that was asked was for members to take home some of the cardboard shipping containers to be recycled. Total time from parking to departure was 10-12 minutes.

In terms of quality, most of it looks good. The lettuce was a bit wilted, but it crisped up after being washed. The tomatoes are a bit greenish--that's probably the weakest part. One of the peppers had a funky shape, but there was no blemishes. Joanne has already had a plum and nectarine and gave the thumbs up. I was a bit disappointed to see know lemons, potatoes or berries--those are staple type items for us.



As for the amount, I don't view it as an overwhelming amount, but that might be the recent training of Costco purchases that required us to eat a lot of fruit. 15 plums/nectarines might be pushing it, but if we each do 2 a day it shouldn't be a problem-- we found ways to take care of 18 kiwis and 11 peaches in one week, how hard could this be?

My rough approximation of cost is in the neighborhood of $35 based on the prices this week in the Basha's ad. The carrots are the brand Basha's sells I believe (Rousseau), which may mean BB uses a primary Bashas supplier. Or it may mean nothing at all. The peppers and celery are not things we would buy, nor is the cantaloupe, but Joanne will eat it since we have it (I'll try it, but I'm not really a melon person). Overall, we're fairly pleased with the outcome. One thing that will make it better is when Joanne has enough sleep to come with me and then we can walk around the park a bit with Owen. I suppose we could have made it a Man Morning, but, uhh.... not really. Maybe next time.