Consult the catalogue to find out which products are Canadian, Organic, Kosher, Biodegradable, Hypoallergenic, Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Wheat-free or Fair Trade.

Take advantage of the monthly Buying Club specials. The specials can be downloaded from the website and savings range from 10% up to 25% off the regular price!

Use the ONFC website to link to company sites for the products you buy. These sites will provide you with lots of additional product info.

Use the ONFC Excel Macro Software to save time and frustration. It’s available FREE of charge to all ONFC Buying Club members.

Create a bank account that is specifically for the Buying Club. Keep a little bit of extra money in your account by asking members to contribute an annual ‘club membership fee’.

Running a Buying Club involves a lot of different tasks. Share the work amongst your members.
Co-operatively structured clubs stay together longer.

Make a step by step list of what needs to be done to process your Buying Club order. Give a copy to every member. This way everybody knows what needs to be done.

Make it a goal to share the work fairly. Create jobs for Buying Club members with special scheduling needs or unique abilities. Let everyone know in detail what their responsibilities are.

Set high standards for involvement, communication and community spirit. Buying Club members will take their cue from you.

Support and recognize your Buying Club members for the contributions they make to the successful running of the club.

Accept new Buying Club members. More members means less work, cheaper food for all members, and greater stability.

Take the time to orient new Buying Club members. This is the best way to ensure that new members enjoy the co-op and meet their responsibilities.

Keep all Buying Club meetings as brief as possible and make them fun! Create an agenda and stick to it.

Have your Buying Club orders delivered to a location that is central to other members.

Make sure the Buying Club member who is receiving the order has adequate space in their refrigerator and freezer to store food until other members can pick it up.

Make your Buying Club delivery day fun! Put on a pot of fair trade coffee and make sorting your order into a social event.

Always focus on making your Buying Club fast, easy and convenient. This is the best way to attract and keep satisfied members.

Keep improving your systems. Encourage Buying Club members to share their ideas for getting the work done faster and more accurately.

Make sure all of your Buying Club members are on the mailing list so that they will receive copies of the catalogue and specials. If members prefer to go paper-free, keep them informed by email.

Create a Buying Club email distribution list and be sure to forward all messages from the ONFC to each member on the list. This will ensure that everyone in the club stays on top of the happenings at ONFC.

Share recipes and food within your Buying Club. This way, members can be introduced to unfamiliar products and how to prepare them. Holding a potluck after meetings is a great idea!

Have fun! Enjoy yourselves! The camaraderie of working together is a big part of a Buying Club. Set aside time just to socialize!