Webuy in bulk at wholesale prices

Vicky Swann has teamed up with fellow villagers in Pencaitland, East Lothian, Scotland, to bulk-order ethically produced food online at wholesale prices

As I was keen to buy food in a more ethical way, a friend introduced me to Suma, a cooperative that sells online. There’s a £250 minimum order, but everything is at wholesale prices. I put the word out on a Facebook group and we’ve now got 10-15 people who order regularly.

Everyone fills in what they want on a Google spreadsheet, then I do the order. I’m not a rep, I just help to organise it. People don’t have to buy in bulk. Some buy hundreds of pounds worth of food every few months, one guy just buys co#ee beans. Everything costs less than in the supermarket. You can only set up a buying group if you’re not within a certain radius of a shop supplied by Suma, so you don’t damage small businesses. We’d never be able to get this range of ingredients locally. I buy storecupboard ingredients from Suma, then get my milk and veg locally. You can buy huge bags and jars if you’ve got the space.

We put in an order once a month. Everyone comes round to my house when it arrives. I feel good that I’m putting my money towards an ethical company and helping others to do the same thing. I wouldn’t be able to a#ord ethically produced food of this quality in the supermarket, so the buying group gives me peace of mind.!

How it works ‘Suma takes the money out of my account the following week, so everyone has a chance to pay me.’

Is it right for you? ‘Make sure you know everyone in the group, because you do need an element of trust.’

Find out more Visit suma.coop.