Guides
From Foodcoop
Some edition of the guides are available in PDF format for printing.
Contents |
[edit] Farmstand guide
These are some notes to refer to on things we've learned while doing the Bus Stop Food Co-op stand.
[edit] EBT
We can take EBT (food stamps) cards, but it's very tricky. This govt likes to humiliate people for exercising their rights. Fill out an “offline EBT voucher”, which you should find somewhere in the scale box, and with the help of the customer, call 1-866-328-4212.
[edit] Cash and prices
There should be a price list already written out for you. Record the start-up funds (should be $25 in 1's) on a pre-printed “Daily Record” sheet from the scale box.
Try to keep at least 10 or so $1 bills so you don't have a change-making emergency. Coins live in a small box next to the scale. Please don't keep the $20's with the other bills.
Feel free to haggle prices, but then it's your job to break even.
[edit] Set up
The easiest order to set up is: tent, boxes of food, tables, tablecloths, then baskets.
At Spiral Gardens, tents are in the office one building past Penny's badass Carribean Cafe. Only the tallest tent works well right now. Food is usually in the office refrigerator, sometimes out. The black plastic tables are either in the nursery shed (straight ahead of the front gate) on the right-hand side, or leaning up against the nursery tables. Tablecloths are in a box or a basket in the shed.
At the Local, we're improvising baskets and tables every time.
Nice finishing touches are: the three “fresh produce” signs; the big bag of rice and other bulk goods in the office; a small library in a canvas bag in a milkcrate; propaganda and fliers are available to suit your taste.
[edit] Closing
Any leftovers which won't be pretty enough on the next farmstand day (lettuce, celery, etc.) need to be given to someone doing leftovers distribution. If nobody takes the food at the end of the day, please call Adam that night. Food goes to the fridge. Baskets go in the left side of the nursery shed. Tablecloths go in a box in the shed. The scale goes into its banana box, and should be in the first trip to the office. Empty waxed boxes live back by the kiosk, where the folding chairs are. Tents go to the office. Tables and signs go in the right side of the shed. Record the closing funds on the Daily Record.
[edit] Produce handling
Lettuces and herbs like basil are the most fragile. They must be kept out of direct sunlight, and misted regularly with a spray bottle or the hose (make sure you aren't squirting a compost mix, though!).
Other veggies are less demanding. The only trick is to keep baskets full and overflowing. Try using smaller baskets as supplies dwindle.
Dumping out of, or back into, boxes is rarely a good idea. Only citrus can handle this without bruising.
Two hints about the hand-truck: drive it in front of you rather than dragging it behind, and keep a hand on the hip-height boxes when you tilt. Bulk goods are best in the baskets lined with cloth.
[edit] Buying Guide
[edit] Markets
There are three markets we go to, each for a different reason. Friday in Oakland, Tuesday in Berkeley, and Wednesday at the Civic Center BARF.
[edit] Haggling
The sneakiest move is to go at the end of the market and wait until prices drop 25%-50% below retail. Tell the farmers everything you want to buy from them to lubricate haggling. Mention that you're helping the food co-op or whatever. It wouldn't be a bad idea to take a copy of the “Last Bought” sheet or the [[food (local) food]] wiki to learn prices.
Remember that you're haggling to help other people, not to be greedy. Try to leave a current price list, mentioning which farms you got things from if possible.
[edit] Calling ahead
Basically, if we call a day or two before the market we're guaranteed decent wholesale rates, and the exact quantities we want. Farmers like our calls because they can pick less recklessly. Call 8 AM Monday for most of Tuesday's market people. For the Saturday market, call Friday morning.
[edit] Storage
Most food should be stored in the fridge. Exceptions include: pomegranates, onions, garlic, winter squashes (hard skin), and under-ripe things like most avocadoes. If you need to stash the food at a house temporarily, it stays fresh in boxes under outdoor shade.
[edit] Transportation
There are a few possible Co-op drop spots around town, but for now it's best to take the veggies to the Spiral Gardens office. You need an office key or someone who has it. Daniel and Lisa are usually around to unlock the office on Saturdays, Sundays, or Tuesdays. Some exemplary acts of bicycle transportation have been rerported.
