Well, it's not the end of the day but I am pretty sure I know what I am grateful for today.

Today, I am grateful for Bountiful Baskets

 
Bountiful Baskets is a food co-op I became active in about 2 years ago. I found the name and link on Craigslist, looked it over and decided to give it a try. I paid for my first contribution and waited patiently to pick it up on the upcoming Saturday.

I left early, thinking I knew where I was going but totally did not. I drove around, in the general direction I thought I should be going and finally I found the place. I waited my turn, collected my basket of produce and fell in love at first site. It's been love ever since and no looking back. 

I eventually started my own site and have happily been the Volunteer Site Coordinator for more than a year now. When we started out our site was only every other week, but about a month ago we changed vendors and started participation every week. It was a very exciting change for us because along with the weekly distribution we also began having access to all of the extras the rest of the country was enjoying.

Now, every week, for a mere $15 anybody can have a basket of fresh produce. We usually offer 10 to 12 items, roughly half fruit and half vegetable. When compared to grocery store produce and prices, our basket routinely has larger items and much much more for the small cost. I have priced a basket several times, at various grocery stores, and find that what I get in a weeks distribution would've run me anywhere from $30 to $60 at the grocery store.  

And now we have the extras.  A typical weeks extra offerings might consist of 9 grain wheat bread, 5 loaves for $10. Ciabatta bread, 5 loaves for $10. BB Granola, 2 lbs for $10. Cinnamon Bread, dense, delicious and just $10 for 2 loaves. Tortillas, 13 dozen, differing sizes, at least one dozen corn, just $10. Cranberry Orange Loaf & Cinnamon Pumpkin Loaf Pack, $10. A fruit lovers pack or a veggie lovers pack can be added to your conventional or organic baskets for only $10 more. 

These extras are amazing!  I have tried the cinnamon loaves, the ciabatta bread and this week I tried the granola (so good!) and the Loaf Pack. The Cinnamon Pumpkin loaf is amazing, truly a life altering experience. And the Cranberry Orange Loaf is awe inspiring. These are items I am going to hoard for myself. So glad DH does not care for the sweet breads. Or any breads, for that matter. I gave away two loaves of the ciabatta bread to my Back-up Site Coordinators last week and have savored every bite of the remaining three. One loaf left and I must make it last till next Saturday and hope they offer it again next week!

So this days blog seems to have tippy-toed away from what I am grateful for and become a full-blown testimonial for Bountiful Baskets. Well, it is certainly worth it and something I am so happy I am involved in.

Saturday mornings make me very happy now and every time I am out there, directing my wonderful volunteers, watching our participants arrive and line up, I know I am truly blessed. And I know what I am grateful for. 

I am grateful for Bountiful Baskets.