Co-Op Locations
Breadbeckers Co-Ops pool their individual orders together, to take advantage of lower shipping rates, and discounts on certain food items.
Co-Op Schedule
The co-op orders 3 times a year. Each co-op is in one of the following ordering groups. (You can check the Co-op Locations page to find a co-op and the group it is in).
If you are a registered member of an active co-op, the system will send you an email when the order opens (usually on the first day of the ordering month). Also, many co-op coordinators follow up a few days later with another email.
Delivery is normally about 4-6 weeks later. But, the delivery schedule is totally dependent on how many co-ops order, and how much is ordered. So, the actual delivery dates may be sooner or later. Co-op coordinators contact their co-op members to let them know the dates the orders can be picked up.
North Group
Order: March (1st thru 18th)
Delivery: April
Order: July (1st thru 18th)
Delivery: August
Order: November (1st thru 18th)
Delivery: December
South Group
Order: April (1st thru 18th)
Delivery: May
Order: August (1st thru 18th)
Delivery: September
Order: December (1st thru 18th)
Delivery: January
Central Group
Order: February (1st thru 18th)
Delivery: March
Order: June (1st thru 18th)
Delivery: July
Order: October (1st thru 18th)
Delivery: November
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a co-op?
It’s a group of people that pool their individual orders together, to take advantage of lower shipping rates, and discounts on certain food items. How does a co-op work? – Members (or people desiring to join) contact the co-op coordinator for their area. The coordinator makes sure everyone knows when to get their individual orders in (using our online co-op ordering system), so that the co-op’s group order will get to The Bread Beckers in time to be delivered by the scheduled date (click here for Co-op Schedule). The Bread Beckers will deliver (or ship) the order; the coordinator receives the total order at a specified drop location. Once the order is delivered and accepted, the co-op members can get their individual orders.
What’s the advantage of being in a co-op?
Reduced shipping rates, and reduced pricing! For instance:
How do I find a co-op near me?
Go to our Co-op Locations page (NOTE: there will not be any co-ops close to our store location), then click on one of the locations to automatically open your e-mail program with the “subject” already filled in with the co-op name. Make sure YOUR return e-mail address is correct, and send the blank e-mail to us and you will receive a reply with the coordinator’s contact information. OR give us a call at the phone number at the very top of this page, or click here to send us an email
How do I know what my order will cost?
We now take orders in our co-op ordering system. It will calculate your total invoice, and show you the shippng and any discounts available. Once you contact a coordinator, they will send you the link to register and log in to our system.
What does shipping cost?
Shipping is calculated based on the shipping weights of the products, and the total co-op order must meet the minimum order requirements. Most co-ops qualify for shipment on our own truck, which yields the cheapest shipping rate.
Co-op orders that do go on our truck will be charged a minimum of $45 as long as the co-op drop is already on our route, and it is not cheaper to send using another method. The “general” minimum order for the total co-op is $1000 of qualified foods (which was originally calculated to be about 1500 lbs of wheat in buckets). There are no minimum order for individuals (but there are discounts per the “advantages†discussed above)
Shipping is pro-rated to each individual’s order based weight. If the total co-op order weighs 1,000 pounds and is being charge 13 cents/lb, and your order weighs 48 pounds, then your shipping will be 48 x $0.13 = $6.24 This is based on the “shipping weight†of products, not the “net weightâ€. For instance, a bucket of wheat has 45 pounds of grain in it, but the shipping weight is 48 pounds (because the bucket and lid weigh 3 pounds)
Shipping rates on our truck currently range from 15 cents/lb in GA to 19 cents/lb in VA. Rates are always subject to change based on fuel prices. Compare that to shipping rates via US Mail or UPS of 50-95 cents/lb on small orders!
Co-ops not on our route can have their order shipped on a commercial truck line (referred to as “LTL” or “Less than Truckload”). Rates are base on weight and distance, and are quoted to the coordinator for approval before shipment is made. Small orders (less than 500 lbs) are typically shipped UPS.