Darling Downs Co-op / Shopping Tips

[cathy79]

To all Darling Downs Members - there are a few of us now, so maybe we should make this formal.

I've emerged from exams, so ready to take this seriously.  My plan is to do a little spreadsheet of where I've bought what so far so I can compare prices.  So I was thinking that I'd attach it to this forum, and other DD members can have a look.  If you've found a better price, add it to the list.

I've also made some bulk inquiries but haven't compiled those prices.  So I'll do the same thing.  And we can formally start a co-op where it makes a difference in price.

Susan and Suzanne, I know you're interested at least, and I think there may be others.  Let's use our bulk buying powers.

Cathy

[LisaR12]

sounds great

thanks Cathy

[suzanna]

Oh yea.. This is great.
Going shopping to day so I will have a look around. My husband bought the tomatoes from anzac Ave  Fruit shop.Last week.
Suzanna

[cathy79]

Okay, here is my compiled information so far.  If anyone has something to add ie better price or supplier, let me know and I'll update for everyone.  There are also a few websites which look good (thanks Quirky Jo).

[LisaR12]

cathy, you've done a great job. interesting some price differences ( eg cashews) i suppose that is because some are organic.


i did go into woollies at the ridge today and they were selling lindt choc blocks for $1.74, i bought a few ready for some choc goodies for xmas, just got to wait to TMX

phone my consultant today and he said mid next week. makes me laugh really, although i knew it would take a while for delivery, i don't know why they put it on the paperwork.. immediate delivery. DH is not impressed 

[quirkycooking]

You've done well, Cathy!  I spent most of the morning on the internet trying to find Rapadura-sweetened dark choc chips!!!  (Rapunzel make them, and I bought some at a Cairns co-op store, but there's got to be somewhere I can get them bulk!! hmmm....)  Let me know if you find any!

[cathy79]

That's awfully specific, considering the trouble I've had just getting bulk Rapadura.  Since you make your own chocolate, couldn't you make little choc chips from your homemade chocolate?  Or at least the right size choc pieces?

[LisaR12]

That's awfully specific, considering the trouble I've had just getting bulk Rapadura.  Since you make your own chocolate, couldn't you make little choc chips from your homemade chocolate?  Or at least the right size choc pieces?

was this directed at me, if so forgive me for being thick because i don't get what you are saying.. all i was saying is lindt choc blocks ( ie 100g) are selling for $1.74. i just notice alot of tmx recipe require conveture(sp) choc and i was thinking these would suffice.

lisa

[quirkycooking]

I usually would just chop up my own chocolate, but I don't know how they'd go cooked in choc chip cookies - I think they'd melt too much... have to try it. 

[cathy79]

That's awfully specific, considering the trouble I've had just getting bulk Rapadura.  Since you make your own chocolate, couldn't you make little choc chips from your homemade chocolate?  Or at least the right size choc pieces?

was this directed at me, if so forgive me for being thick because i don't get what you are saying.. all i was saying is lindt choc blocks ( ie 100g) are selling for $1.74. i just notice alot of tmx recipe require conveture(sp) choc and i was thinking these would suffice.

lisa

Sorry Lisa, no I was refering to how Quirky Jo could make chocolate chips.  Sometimes these busy posts get a bit confusing!

[Ceejay]

I usually would just chop up my own chocolate, but I don't know how they'd go cooked in choc chip cookies - I think they'd melt too much... have to try it. 

I just blitz the dark chocolate blocks and use those instead of chips in my cooking.  Always thought the Rapunzel was cooking choc! 

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

I've tried buying bulk rapadura choc chips online too Jo without much success.  Paying almost $10 (plus postage) for 100g just seemed a bit too excessive.  I have thought about chopping up Black and Greens organic cooking chocolate and seeing if that holds it's form in a cookie? 

[cathy79]

Wow Chelsea, it's pretty hard to justify that price.  Give your idea a go, no matter what happens they'll be edible!

[Nay-nay]

This is great!! Thanks for putting in your time on this Cathy. I don't get off the farm too often to get to Toowoomba but have family in Toowoomba interested in buying TMX and eating healthy so will email them this thread. 

[cathy79]

I'm in heaven - I accidentally found a shop today that I didn't know existed.  It's not in the yellow pages, at least not under organic.

Organic Food Market
124 Campbell Street
Toowoomba
www.toowoombaorganicfood.com
07 4639 1811

It is a gorgeous little shop, beautifully lit and laid out, and full of products that the other local shops don't have, including bulk bins you can use to fill your own containers.  And it's locally owned, not a chain store.  Large fridge full of organic dairy, cheese, yoghurt, dips etc, lots of nice looking fruit and vegies, meat, fresh bread, eggs...I'd better stop listing everything.

All the prices are on the website, so going to have a look now and update my price list for what I use.  But check it out for what you might want!

Jo - I did ask about Rapadura Sweetened Chocolate Chips - they don't stock but might be able to get them.

Update - the website has a complete list of what they stock, but no prices.  So will have to do it the hard way (sigh emoticon).