Biobulkbende

Biobulkbende is an association completely run by the members. Together we collectively purchase organic food from local producers and distributors.

In the context of the current food system, with all its flaws and vulnerabilities, we believe it is important to have more control over the food we buy and consume. Food doesnt have to be treated strictly as a commodity, access to food doesn't have to rely on impenetrable logistics systems, and overwhelming packaging does not have to be the norm. Access to high quality, organic and affordable food is very important for us, and we think that it should be available to everyone.

In 2019, we took matters into our own hands and started the first organic food co-op in Rotterdam.

Inspired by the Amsterdam food co-op Vokomokum, The Park Slope co-op and many others, our co-op is run on a volunteer-basis by all members. As members of this co-op, we all conribute a small part of our time in order to keep our co-op running according to our values: building a community, sharing organic food, sourcing ingredients that is are not produced through any exploitation of labour and are environmentally friendly. We source our fresh food from local farmers and suppliers from the Rijnmond region, while our dry goods and cans come from the organic food supplier De Nieuwe Band / Odin.

We come together every first monday of the month from 18:00 to 20:00 at the Huis van de Toekomst on Jan Kobellstraat 66a. People who are interested to become a member can join the introduction from 19:00.

We are happy to have new members at the moment. Send us an email or simply drop by on our next pickup day and say hello!

What is a foodcoop?

A co-op is a collective where everyone shares the workload for the benefit of the whole. A food co-op is a group of people that buy food from (local) suppliers of their own choosing. A collective do-it-with-others supermarket.

Biobulkbende members order collectively from local suppliers and distributors. This means we get as close to the wholesale prices as possible by cutting out middle men and ordering in bulk. Biobulkbende exists only through the cooperation of the members involved. There is no profit and everyone in the community contributes to the co-op on a volunteer basis.

Once you are member you are part of our community!

Being a Member

As a member of Biobulkbende, you have access to high-quality organic food, straight from the producers and / or distributors, at much lower prices than in the supermarket. In return, you pay a membership fee of 15 euros and contribute a bit of your time and energy each month (3h ±) to keep our co-op running. As a member of the co-op you have a say in how the co-op works, how decisions are made and what direction we take together.

Workgroups

A work group is a group of members who work together and are responsible for a specific need of our food co-op. Some examples of work groups are cooking, set-up, membership, orders, finance, etc. As a member of our food co-op, joining a work group is a requirement. When you join, we help you pick what work group matches your interests, as well as what matches the needs of the co-op. Members can change work groups when their interests change.

Working togheter is part of being a foocoop!

Ordering food

Ordering food is easy. We use a free software called Foodsoft . As soon as you become a member you can place your first order, yay! Together we order in dry-food (from toothpaste to pasta) in bulk packaging. Fresh food doesn't have to be in bulk. We also have items that are popular, like oats, in stock to save of costs and plastic! Payment is done during pick-up day through banktransfer or pin.

Pick-up day

Every 1st Monday of the month, from 18:00 - 20:00 our co-op comes together to pick up our fresh, local and bulky orders. The pick-up day is more then just picking up your order. It's also a chance to meet other members and have an affordable vegan dinner cooked by our members. During the pick-up day we have an introduction for people interested to join the co-op. This takes place at 19:00. Please arrive on time, thank you!

Join us!

Attending the introduction is mandatory so that you learn all the ins and outs of the co-op right from the start. After you have joined the introduction you can become a member. The membership work group will send an email to you shortly after. Please check your spam folder or allow list for @biobulkbende.org in your email client to ensure you see the emails from us.