Fruited Plain Cooperative Society was an independent cooperative providing organic and natural foods and other grocery items in the greater Champaign-Urbana, Illinois area from October 1998 through February 2007.

As of March 25, 2007, the members of Fruited Plain voted to dissolve the organization. Member equity refunds will be when the books are closed after the filing of 2007 taxes in early 2008. If your email address has changed during this time, please email Anna Barnes.

News:

Food Shopping Options Post Dissolution

April 26, 2007

Several of you have asked about your shopping options post-Fruited Plain. Here they are:

Local Buying Club Option:

Former FPCS member Ann Chan reports that there is an existing buying club in Champaign that is looking for a few new members. Work requirements are 2x per year. For more info, email Ann.

Local Coop Option:

As many of you know, Common Ground Food Coop has improved its hours and selection over the years. CGFC is actually cheaper than FPCS was on items like jarred peanut butter. They also carry local honey, produce, eggs, cheeses, meats, and breads. If the item you want isn't in stock they are happy to order for you, and you can also receive a case discount if you order items in volume. If you haven't shopped CGFC in a while, you may want to revisit. As CGFC needs to be a self-supporting entity by fall 2008, it needs all the sales volume it can get. For more info see, www.commonground.coop

Two Online Buying Options:

Tuscon Cooperative Warehouse is the last major cooperative warehouse in the U.S. Unlike Blooming Prairie, TCW's Board resisted a UNFI buyout, opting to create growth by online retailing. You can buy through TCW through Amazon.com where it vends as ShopNatural. Or, buy directly through TCW's site, shopnatural.com TCW has a special arrangement with UPS to discount orders of 200 pounds plus. This is a good option if you want to fight back against UNFI's decimation of cooperative warehouses and small organic brands.

Amazon.com retails natural and organic grocery items under the heading of "gourmet food," many with no shipping charges. They have great prices on several items like Seventh Generation paper products.