This month, Pensacola Co-Op will celebrate its first anniversary as an organic produce wholesale food-buying club servicing Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, Milton, Pace and Navarre. According to administrators Tori Rutland and Joree Railey, Pensacola Co-Op is unique in that members can order exactly what they need. 

Rutland says after participating in the program herself for three or four months, she enjoyed it so much she became an administrator. Since then it has grown it to more than 200 members, with eight to ten new members joining every week. “It’s perfect for anyone—individuals or huge families—because of the way it is structured,” she says. 

The co-op’s organic produce is purchased and delivered by Global Organic of Sarasota, as well as local organic farmers. Members can also purchase other items, such as nuts, seeds, grains, dried fruit, olive oil, fresh juice and kombucha. Orders are placed every two weeks; the following Thursday, a new product list is posted online so members can add items to the basket in their account. Payment is accepted the day of delivery to account for any changes. Members are not required to order in bulk, but bulk orders can be arranged. Deliveries are Fridays from 2 to 5 p.m. at 1040 North Guillemard Street in Pensacola. Members must provide their own bags; pay an annual nonrefundable membership fee of $20; place at least one order a month; and volunteer two hours a month to organize the pickups, which take place Fridays between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

For more information, visit PensacolaCoop.com.