Food Buying Cooperatives

	What are food buying cooperatives?
	Food buying cooperatives distribute low-cost, high-value food packages. There are usually no restrictions on who can buy a food box. Once an order is placed, food is picked up 1 to 2 weeks later.    Sometimes food buying cooperatives are managed by community or faith-based organizations or food banks.  Sometimes they are an independent group formed to distribute food boxes.  Some food buying cooperatives distribute food boxes through host sites run by volunteers at community centers, faith organizations, or schools.   On this page, food buying cooperative is used as a generic term to refer to the range of not-for-profit organizations that distribute low-cost, high-value food boxes to SNAP clients and other low income people.
	What kinds of foods are available from food buying cooperatives?
	The choices change each month but usually include variety boxes with meat and produce, sides and dessert; meat only boxes; produce only boxes; or special boxes.  Food boxes include both fresh and frozen food. Healthy and nutritious recipes are often provided to help make the most out of the food in the box each month.
	How can SNAP and food buying cooperatives help me stretch my food budget?
	Many people, especially people with low incomes, are concerned about rising costs for food, gas and utilities.  SNAP benefits come on an electronic card that you use to purchase food. They add to your food budget so you don’t have to give up nutritious foods when times are tough.    These organizations offer another place to buy your groceries, in addition to supermarkets, farmers markets and other retail stores. Because food is purchased in bulk, food buying cooperative may save money.
	How can I find a food buying cooperative in my area?
	The following is a list of food buying co-ops known to FNS at this time:       SHARE Food Program, Philadelphia, PA     DC SHARE, Hyattsville, MD     Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula, Newport News, VA     SHARE Virginia, Radford, VA     SHARE of Southeast Wisconsin, Butler, WI     Greater Lake Country Food Bank, Minneapolis, MN     Emergency Food Shelf Network, New Hope, MN     SHARE Iowa, Oskaloosa, IA     SHARE South Dakota, Rapid City, SD     Heartland Share/Let’s Help, Topeka, KS     SHARE Colorado, Federal Heights, CO     SERVE New England, Avon, MA     Extra Helpings, Cobleskill, NY     Regional Food Bank of Northeast, New York, Latham, NY     Food Bank of the Southern Tier, Elmira, NY     Angel Food Ministries (multiple States), Monroe, GA     SHARE Florida, Tampa, FL     The Provider’s Pantry, Lubbock, TX     United Food Bank, Mesa, AZ     Yuma Community Food Bank, Yuma, AZ     St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, Flagstaff, AZ     Community Food Co-op of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
	My food buying cooperative is authorized but we would like to educate more of our clients about SNAP.  How can we do that?
	Over the last 5 years, the SNAP participation rate increased by 13 percent; however, there are still approximately 12 million people who qualify but haven’t joined the program yet. As a food buying cooperatives, you are in a unique position to educate your members about the nutrition benefits of SNAP. FNS offers numerous free materials to help with your outreach effort. Check out the SNAP outreach web page for educational materials, tool kits, public service announcements, a photo gallery and much, much more.
	How can my food buying cooperative learn more about SNAP?
	Food buying cooperatives are eligible to apply for participation as SNAP retailers. We recognize however that they have unique features that make them different from many other retailers that participate in the program. To allow an exchange of ideas and best practices we have started an email distribution list to connect food buying cooperatives. If you are part of a food buying cooperative and would like to join the group, please send an email to laura.griffin@fns.usda.gov.

Last modified: 11/21/2008