Saving Money
When folks are new to shopping in our store, they often don’t realize the values found in our aisles. Check out these money saving tips:
- CAP (Co-op Advantage) monthly specials are available to all shoppers and are found in the CAP sales flyer. These flyers are also sent with your newsletter so you can plan your shopping. Because these specials are negotiated on a region-wide basis, we may not have access to all of the items in the flyer. If you see an item you are interested in that we don’t carry, please ask a Buyer. They may be able to special order it for you. CAP specials have CAP on the tag near the item.
- Member Only Specials are monthly specials available only to members. Look for Member Only Special on the tag near the item.
- Coupons. Yes, we accept coupons as long as it is for an item we carry, the coupon is not expired, and the coupon has redemption information on it. Basically, just like any other grocery store. In addition, CAP offers coupon books twice a year. These are sent directly to your home as a Member Owner benefit.
- Buy in season. Items bought in season are more likely to be grown locally and they are at the peak of both flavor and nutritional value. Freezing or canning at this time will bring the freshness of the season to you year round.
- Buy from those you know. We can recommend the best produce, give you cooking instructions and turn you on to the best we have to offer. Natural foods are our only business, so our prices on organic and natural foods are often lower than our competitors. Your dollar won’t be wasted when you know what’s going into your cart!
Buying in bulk
Save packaging and buy only the amount you need by buying in bulk. You also know that you are paying for the quality of the product, not the expense of the packaging when you are buying in bulk. But remember, buying products in bulk does not always mean the price is less.
Reusing containers: We encourage reusing containers that you bring from home. It saves you money and it helps to reduce waste. However, it is very important that;
- Your container is clean and dry and that the serving utensil (scoop, spout or spoon) does not touch your container. This reduces the chance of possible contamination from your container to the bulk bin or from someone else’s container to the bulk bin to you. We will refuse to refill dirty containers.
- You weigh your container before you fill it as there is no way to back out the weight of the container once the container is filled. We don’t want to charge you for both the weight of your container and the weight of the product.
- You write the PLU number on a tag or on the container so the clerk rings up your purchase correctly. Many items look similar and can be hard to distinguish at the cash registers.
New containers are available to purchase.
Full Case Orders
If you would like to order a case of your favorite food from the Co-op, here’s how to proceed!
- It is important to fill out the order form accurately and completely. To avoid problems, take care in noting the distributor name, product item number, your name & member number, you phone number, etc. Misinformation on your order form may result in delays, incorrect orders or restocking fees. Please ask for help if needed.
- You receive 10% off the retail price listed on the shelf for full case orders only.
- Full case sizes are noted in the catalog or on the shelf tag. Products sold as an ‘each’ require an order minimum of 6 to receive the 10% discount.
- Discounts of any kind, including case orders, are not offered on the following products: milk, bread made by local or regional vendors, beer, any sale item including monthly member sales, CAP sales, everyday low price program, and bi-weekly produce specials, as these are already priced at a discount.
- You may still order an individual product if it is sold as an each in the catalog (if you want to try something that we don’t sell, for instance), but it will come in at the regular retail price.
- For products ordered that are not currently on the shelf at the Co-op, use the SRP (Suggested Retail Price) in the catalog as a guide to calculate your approximate case discount of 10% off. Prices are subject to change as most catalogs are only printed approximately 3 times a year. Your cost is adjusted based on the invoice from the supplier if needed. You’ll need to ask for assistance with non UNFI (United Natural Foods, Inc.) products. Please ask for the department buyer for questions on available products.
- The Co-op offers no guarantee that the item you order is available. Items are discontinued without notice to us. It is also common for popular items to be on back order or temporarily unavailable. If this happens, please let us know if you want to re-order your items.
- Some of our suppliers charge extra for shipping. Any freight charges attributable to your order are added to your total.
- Order and pick up schedules for UNFI are as follows: order by Wednesday – pick up on following Monday. No case order delivery during the last week of each month. Variations in the schedule may occur due to holidays, weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Changes are posted as soon as we know!
If you make a Special Order please pick it up in a timely manner. Most Special Orders arrive within a week of ordering and reminder calls are made if necessary. When you pick up, seek out any Staff member to retrieve it before you do your other shopping. This allows us to get your products and have them waiting for you at the cash register when you check out.