HEALTHY AND INEXPENSIVE EATING

EATING HEALTHY AS INEXPENSIVELY AS POSSIBLE - IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA
             SHAREing information gathered since first inquiry was sent out.
 
Thanks to all who responded. I hope it is readable enough.  I wanted to get the information out ASAP.
                                                                                                                                                Karri Maupin
 
Topic Headings
GRAIN
BUYING CLUBS/CO-OPS
EGGS
BEEF
HONEY
OTHER IDEAS
 
GRAIN
Act quickly:    Excellent price.    There will not be another order through this group for a year. Some other grains MAY be available (spelt, oat groats, soft white, bronze chief) but only in 50# bags. Please contact Rachel ASAP if you are interested.
If interested, call or email Rachel Monasmith by March 31 at 636-271-6323 or email 1family6sr@msn.com.

There was a large section below from Rachel Monasmith.  The information has been updated. I am having trouble placing it back here.  If you are interested in ordering grain/flour.  I can forward the latest email and attachments to you.  (Karri Maupin:  maupinclan@sbcglobal.net )

One other note about grain storage from Betsy Stull:
  I was asked if I have any empty storage pails.  At this time I do not, although you can look online at Basco, or another supplier to check prices.  Another option might be to get a large Sterilite/Rubbermaid-type tote to hold several unopened bags - just to keep them dry and bug free - although they are not air-tight.  The most important thing is just to keep the bags cool and dry, and off a concrete basement floor which might draw moisture.
Another source for grain is - Honeyville Grain.  You can google them and see if they have any products that you want.  They used to have $4.49 shipping on any amount anywhere in the US.
 

BUYING CLUBS/CO-OPS
For those considering setting up a new club with UNFI read below:
If you live within 50 miles of one of our retail accounts, you wouldn't be able to start a new buying club but you can join an existing club if there is one in your area.  We service many retail accounts in St Louis including Dierbergs and Whole Foods.
Michelle Bovée
Buying Club Representative
1-800-323-2131 x 21116

UNFI In Fenton
Rachel Monasmith  636-271-6323 or email 1family6sr@msn.com. You can order online, they meet at a Church near 141 and 44 for pick up once a month, but you do not have to order once a month to be in the coop. If you do not order for 6 months, she will ask you if you still want to be in it. Everything is done by email as far as correspondence with members of coop and manager. It's pretty simple and straightforward. Quite easy! Paper Catalog about $20.00 a year.  (www.unfi.com )
Another comment, " well organized and any item I purchased was VERY affordable/tasty/etc "
 
UNFI near Kingshighway and Lindell Blvd.)
Check the forum page for attachment of catalog. UNFI has delivery sites all over the city and across the nation.  At this club we get 14% off the listed price (unless it is on sale) and we receive deliveries every four weeks on Tuesday. Call if you have more questions 402 432 4301.

CrystalSchmidt
crystal@paulschmidt.org
Clubs are able to get a blanket discount based on their past six month average volume. Top clubs also get special offers each month (we are one of these). I buy a variety of things (they sell no fresh produce). Members share cases of products and this is done online through the website. Below are a few items from my last month's order. The price is the price I paid per unit or pound. Oatmeal, organic eggs (about $3.50/doz), and frozen produce also pop up frequently. I buy Rudi's organic bread for $2.50-3 a loaf. I love my club because the prices are very good and it saves me time and energy running to stores and bargain hunting. We are accepting new members as far as I'm aware but you'd have to address that with club coordinator. You may pass this on. I also posted a comment to the forum with the catalog as an attachment or so I tried.
 
If you would like to see other clubs in the area try this link:  www.unfi.com
When you get to the site, click on "Find a Buying Club Near You".  They will ask you to email them with your info. and they will send you a list of clubs in the St. Louis area.  After that, you will have to do a bit of research yourself because the list tends to be a bit outdated.  When I did this, there were probably 30-40 clubs listed.  It is hard to tell what area some of them are in, so you might look for a phone number with an exchange that matches yours to start.  I talked to several before I found one that would work.  I also spoke to some really nice people, so it is not a painful process.  Most everyone who is doing this likes to help other people get started as well.
 
Each group operates a little differently as far as fees, unpacking the truck, how often they order, etc.  Have in mind what might work for you as far as location, time, frequency, amount you might order at a time, etc.  Once you join a club you usually have to pay a fee ($18 or so) for a subscription to the monthly magazine with all the product listings and sales - although now most of them are doing order electronically.  Some clubs order online; some you just email the person in charge with your order. - Betsy Stull

A few of us have been talking at Homelink about a buying co-op. I have been in one before and we ordered through Country Life Natural Foods. www.clnf.org 
It worked like this:
One person took all the orders and paid for them. It was then delivered to her house and everyone came and picked up/paid for their order.
Since we would have to have a $500 dollar order, this group ordered every other month or so.
The upcoming order deadlines are April 15 and May 13 with delivery the following week.
Would anyone be interested in doing this? - Kim Perry

EGGS
Farm fresh eggs from a friend of mine.  He sells his eggs for $2.25 a dozen.  That is the going price everywhere.  Many times when I pick them up, he has just taken them from under the chicken so they are VERY fresh.  They taste really good too.  I wish milk wasn't so expensive.  I'd love to get organic milk.  We do try to get mostly whole wheat products and other natural things but not as much as I'd like.  If you are interested in the eggs, let me know. Kim Dabbs" <kdabbs@swbell.net

There is a farm my friend goes to that offers fresh eggs for $1.25/ dozen and fresh milk.  I will try to get the info from her and forward it to you.  Emily Crawford" <emilythecandlelady@yahoo.com 
 
 
BEEF Grass-fed No Hormone or preservatives 
 
I have ordered (and shared) a side of beef from a MO farmer who comes to St. Louis once a month.  My calculations with the last order came to about $3.25 per lb. (including everything from ground beef to ribeyes).  Let me know if you would like more info. - Sue Winkleman
We have been on the same quest - to eat healthy for less - as well.  I have five children - one diagnosed with ADHD and two more following in his footsteps.  We have recently gone glutten and totally dairy free, along with no nitrates, high fructose corn syrup etc.  It has helped quite a bit with managing the behavior challenges.  Our next step is to go to all natural meat.  I recently put in a request on Craigs list and found two-three farmers near by that sell whole, half, our quarter of a cow.  We would love to buy this way, but cannot afford the up front cost of a whole or even a quarter cow.  If you are interested in possibly splitting the cost I can forward the information I have.  One of the farmers stated that their delivered price to Saint Louis was $2.82/lb for approximately 375 lb cow. (I'm not sure if this was the meat weight or the hanging weight cost.) Others stated an end packaged cost of approximately $4.00/ pound.   If I can find 7 others that would like to go together and try this method I will do the research and arrangements for the beef. 
As far as meat goes, there is the Trader Joe's and the Whole Foods Market, which is kind of expensive.  Schnucks carries a line of "Natural" beef and chicken.  The natural beef is hard to find though.  It's in green packages.  I have found it, fairly regularly, at the Schnucks on Clayton Road near hwy 141.  I think it can be special requested.  There is also a farm, called Benne's Best Meats, out on hwy 94 just north of hwy 40.  I have been there a few times, but not lately.  They have a website.  They sell at cheaper rates if one can buy, say, 1/2 a cow.  It is possible to go in together with a couple or a few people and split that order though.  I recently heard about and looked up Sappington Farmer's Market, and it looks good, esp if one can buy a lot at one time, like if you have a deep freeze.  We do eat a lot of meat, but we don't have a lot of freezer space.  - Pam Bross
 
For the past two years I have been purchasing grass-fed beef from Steve Landers of
Covered-L  Farm.   The great thing about it is that you can pick and choose just the items you
would like; if you only want 10# of ground beef, that's fine.   Or you can order a quarter, a half,
or a whole.  Here is an example of prices:  Ground beef--$3.30 lb., Sirloin Tip Roast $ 3.95 lb.,
Ribeye steak--$9.85 lb.
I think a half runs about $2.85 a lb.   If you do purchase a quarter, half or whole, would you
let me know please?
Grass-fed has many advantages beyond hormone and antibiotic-free.   Steve's beef has been
tested and the results were that his beef is 4 times higher in CLA than grain-fed and the omega-6
to omega-3 ratio is 2.19:1 verus grain-fed at 7 or 8:1. 
Mr. Landers lives near Centralia, MO and comes to St. Louis every 3 months; however, if he
had more orders he could come as often as every month (he has in the past).   His e-mail is
cvrdlfarm@centurytel.net.

For the past year and a half  I have been purchasing farm milk  (cows) at $5.00 gallon.  It's great!
Pick up is at a residental garage in Chesterfield.   I also know of  contacts for goat's milk.
If interested in these, please e-mail me.
Also, I know of someone near Rosebud who sells naturally raised chickens and turkeys--
they go for about $2.75lb.   You must pick them up on butchering day; but you can come
and watch the butchering if you'd like.  Science lesson ?  : )
Prairie Grass Farms has natural raised lamb; it's delicious.  Got too expensive for me by the piece
but if purchased whole, I think it is reasonable.    They are at the Clayton Farmer's Market and
Tower Grove Farmer's market and the Maplewood Farmer's Market at Schlafly's.  These are good
places to check out to begin this journey.     Christi Lindsey

HONEY
 
A Local Beekeeper (from Emily ?)
 
Ted Jansen
9 West Dr.
Chesterfield, MO  63017
636-532-3372
 
You don't have to call ahead, they have a cabinet on the porch full of honey jars.  It's an honor system.  I buy the 3# honey jugs and they are $8 a piece.  Cheaper than in the store and better for you because it's local and helps cut down on allergies.  They do offer smaller containers and larger up to a gallon.  I don't recall the prices for every size but you can always call for that.  We go through 2 -- 3# jugs about every other month.   I get one each of wildflower and clover.   - Emily Crawford
 

 OTHER IDEAS
Schnucks -  Full Circle products (organic line of products), they are at Schnucks.  I go to Whole Food when I can afford it or Trader Joe's
 
I know that Theis Farm on Hanley and 70 (cadi-corner from the metro link station) also has reasonable prices on seasonal fruit/veggies that they grow right there.  We shop here often.  They also have pick your own strawberries, blackberries, peaches and apples.    Emily Crawford
By the way - are you a member of Costco? They are trying/stating to have a lot more "healthy" items...many more than Sam's. They say if members keep asking they will get more and keep the items they already have. They are suppose to be carrying 50 lb. bags or organic brown rice....but they are never in stock! Hmmm...
 
The owner of Sappington Farmer's market met with a couple of us and asked us to get the word out about their healthy products/produce and their low prices. The more we shop there and make or requests known, the more they will try to carry things we want at lower prices. (Their cage free eggs are good and really cheap - also their 25 pound bags or organic carrots)  - Kerrie T
 
Bulk section at whole foods and Sappington Farmers market has meats, eggs, and cheeses (locally produced and hormone free - selection sometimes varies) for the best prices. - Carmen Schmidt

www.eatwild.com gives a list of local sources for such items and has good information for boning up on these issues.

Jo Lee of the local Weston A Price organization has put together a great list of local sources--when I find where it's listed, I'll post it.
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 A "subscription farms" is when you commit to a farmer around this time of year for the growing season.  Usually there is a down-payment now, (that also helps the farm fund the crops) and then you pay weekly when you receive the produce.   Usually there are different options say for a family or individual, or if not if one does not think they could consume the weekly vegetables etc. they can split with another family.    Sometimes it is easier if the farm has a central location that everyone can meet and pick up produce and also if there is a group it makes it more worthwhile. 
 
I have only  been a part of one once and I was fortunate enough to live close enough to the farm that I could pick up my produce there.  it was wonderful! 
 
If I discover any I will let you know!
Thanks
Jo-Ann

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Tasty & Convenient Gluten-Free Resources

Hello everyone,

We are a gluten-free, soy-free, and corn-free family (my child is recovering from autism) and that is challenging, as there aren't a lot of prepared items available.  In addition, a lot of packaged gluten-free items contain corn, which for us, is not an option because of allergies.  I'm not a very accomplished cook and definitely don't have time to make everything from scratch.