Still shopping at another natural food store? The Co-op probably has what you need available for special order. Special orders are a great way to save money and to support the Co-op. They can arrive as soon as three days after you order them! With just a little forethought, you can order larger quantities at reduced prices and support a place that puts people & organics first!

The special order books are in the cafe area of the store. Most products can be found in the big spiral-bound catalog form United Natural Foods, titled "Volume One." And there are monthly specials, look for the appropriate catalog and find the products even cheaper!

Here's how you place an order: Look up the item by brand. If you don't know the brand, there is a table in the beginning listing brands by the goods they sell; for example, a list of all the companies that sell pasta. Once you find your product, you can see how much it costs (the Co-op will add a reasonable markup) and what quantity it comes in. Then just fill in an order form in the blue and white striped notebook. Orders placed on Tuesday usually arrive by Friday. Your special order needs to be prepaid - a convenient way to do that is to have a sufficient funds in your voucher. If you need more help, ask a staff person!

Short on time? Email what you want to pifc_buying_club@yahoo.com. Orders placed by email Monday will usually arrive Friday. Just curious about the price or availability? Email your inquiry and our buyers will get back with you. Is a whole case too much for you? Use the Yahoo Group pifc buying club to hook up with other people who might be interested in splitting one with you. You can also ask our buyers at the Co-op if the store would be interested in splitting one with you.

Any ideas on how we can make special ordering more accessible or increase interest? Email pifc_buying_club@yahoo.com. Thanks and keep shopping the realest organic grocery store in town - the Durham Food Co-op.