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| - A couple friends do Bountiful Baskets and I never knew what it was. I just remember being handed produce and told to take it home because they always had too much. After grumbling about a cooking rut for ages now, I decided Bountiful Baskets just might be the way to bring inspiration back to the kitchen. I am happy to announce that I am more than pleased with my experience.
I felt like a kid waiting for Christmas morning after I made my first contribution (what most of us refer to as an "order"). I woke up disgustingly early on a Saturday and felt excitement the entire time I was picking up my basket. I came home and was met with a bunch of fruits and veggies I know and like, and some that I did not have fond memories of. Sometimes, I have to ASK what the heck is in my basket so I can go home and Google how to prepare it. Regardless, I get so much produce that I need to use at least 1, but generally 2, items with each family meal. I also get the joy of trying brand new recipes, thus eliminating my year long cooking rut. I have discovered new fruits and veggies that I like, and have reestablished relationships with all those veggies I hated when I was a child.
I price the baskets against my local Albertsons, and I do consistently receive approximately $50 worth of produce each time. Sometimes it's $46, and sometimes it's $66. Depends on the week and especially the season.
Now the fine print. Basket contributions are accepted Mondays and Tuesdays ONLY. A conventional basket is $15, organic is $25, and there are some fees tacked on. People like to say "it's only $15 a basket!". I tell people it's closer to $20 because that's that actual amount being charged to your card. There are other add on's that can drive your basket price up. Those add on's are just as addictive as the basket, so budget accordingly. I budget $40 every other week for a basket, 1-2 add on's, and the card processing and fuel charge fees, but I get a TON of healthy, quality food.
Something to keep in mind: You cannot change your contribution once it is placed. Make sure you have EVERYTHING you want to be picked up from the CORRECT pick up site. If you do not pick up your produce within 20 minutes of the pick up start time, your basket goes to the local fire station. Note: I generally arrive 5 minutes early and my site is ready to go. You need to inspect your add on's when you pick up the basket. You may reject the add on's if they aren't of good quality or what not, but you cannot reject the basket (quality generally fine. Sometimes a few things that need to be used sooner than others). Credits to your account take AGES, so be patient. Remember: Run by volunteers! Speaking of....
You are supposed to volunteer. I know, I know, everyone has some excuse about being more important than everyone else, and they say they can't volunteer...ever. However, it's fun, it feels good, it only takes maybe 90 minutes every other month (or after every 7th-ish basket you pick up), and it looks great on resumes! That said, nobody will make you volunteer or call you out if you don't. But those that do volunteer seem to really enjoy it, AND they are doing their part in getting everyone this fantastically priced produce! If you are going to be a regular basket contributor, you need to step up and help out once in awhile. That's fair.
Overall, I LOVE Bountiful Baskets. If you like saving money, eating healthy, trying new things, and the challenge of using it all before your next basket, give it a shot! It'll shut your doctor up if anything.
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