Online Food Co-ops: Collective Shopping Made Convenient

Anjali Prasertong
Anjali Prasertong
Anjali Prasertong is a writer and public health dietitian focused on food systems, racial equity, and nutrition. Originally from Los Angeles, she has taught English in rural Japan, worked as a private chef in Malibu, and led an innovative city-funded corner store program in New Orleans that increased fresh food access in low-income neighborhoods. She was previously a contributing editor for The Kitchn, and currently lives in Denver with her husband and two kids.
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updated May 2, 2019
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This week we talked about economical ways to buy and store food in bulk, and several comments mentioned shopping at food co-ops as a budget-friendly way to stockpile staples. But what if you don’t want to deal with membership requirements or don’t have a co-op near you? Thanks to the web, you still have options.

Online-based food cooperatives are on the rise and Food52 has gathered a list of the most promising sites for collective shopping. Some, like Meetup.com, have been co-opted for the purpose of finding like-minded shoppers, while sites like Brooklyn-based This Batch are specifically dedicated to connecting people in search of local produce.

The list is short, but we’re hoping the number of sites like these continues to grow, making it more convenient to buy local food no matter where you live.

• Get the full list: The Co-op’s Online Revolution

Have you ever participated in an online food co-op? Are there any sites you recommend?

Related: Ordering Groceries Online: Yay or Nay?

(Image: Flickr member midwestgrrl licensed under Creative Commons)

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