How it Works

ORDERING & PICKUP

• Contact us to set up your user-name and password for ordering online.
• All products are listed in the order databases and there are MS Excel / Open Office and PDF versions with more detail.  These files are accessible on the Catalogues page.
• There are two companies we order from:  Horizons and an organic produce wholesaler.  Horizons does dry goods, canned goods, and household supplies etc.  The organic produce wholesaler is primarily produce with some bulk dried goods.  In the database the Horizon catalogue is under the KOBC Horizon (used to be Kamloops Organics) in the drop menu on the top of the ordering database site.  The organic wholesaler is under KOBC Produce (used to be Kamloops Organics Admin) and can be found in the same drop down menu.
• There is a search engine on the “order” page (at the top) and also on the “SPLIT” page (near the bottom).  You can search using a manufacturer name (example; Omega or Braggs) or by item name (example; rice or flour), or by size (2 kg), or browse by category (eg Household Cleaners).
• When choosing an item please make sure it is the item you want.  Double check the quantity, size, if it is organic, etc.
• Your order must be placed online by the end of the weekend of 2nd Saturday of the month.
• Pick-up of your Horizon order is on the 3rd Saturday of the month at a central downtown location.
• Pick-up for organic produce items is on a Wednesday and which Wednesday varies from month to month, at a Kamloops North Shore location.
• There is usually NO order in August or December.
• Here is a link to a calendar for the current order dates.

Our pickup location does not have enough space for splitting of bulk items (ie flax seed, oats, sugar, spices, etc) there.  Splitting of bulk items will need to be done at the home of one people participating in the bulk split.  A good scale (measures in grams or ounces and can go to 5 kg / 11 lbs) is helpful in splitting.   Canadian Tire regularly (every couple of months) has digital scales on sale for around $10.   We can help members connect with each other to co-ordinate their splits.

• You are responsible for picking up your order. Your order can not be picked up at a later date, but you can make arrangements to have someone pick it up for you.
• If something you order does not arrive (the supplier did not have it), you will not be charged for it.  BUT if you still want it for next month – you will have to order it again the following month.
  All items that are not filled are cleared from your order sheet at the end of that order.  (There are no back orders.)
• Payment for your order can either be mailed or dropped off at time of order pick-up.  If there is a discrepancy in the price, arrangement for payment can be made, or the difference will be carried forward to your next order.
• New members are expected to make a cash payment for their order in advance of the 3rd Tuesday of the month until a payment history has been established (usually 3-4 orders).
• We usually order from Horizon (was Kamloops Organics in the database) every month, and we order from the organic produce wholesaler (was Kamloops Organics Admin in the database) when there is sufficient demand (usually in the winter and early spring).
• The Local Buying Program runs year round as long as there is sufficient supply and demand.
• As of March 2014 our organic produce orders are now being shipped with Thistle Farm.  The ordering process remains the same except that delivery for Discovery items will be on Wednesdays to a location on the Kamloops North Shore.  This will allow us to order more frequently and with a lower shipping minimum.

ITEMS & PRICING

• Membership is free – there is no cost to join the buying club.
• Member prices include freight charges.
• Items are subject to varying availability and pricing may change without notice.  Produce especially is seasonal.
• Container deposit – Beverage containers are charged a deposit for recycling.  The deposit has been included in the member price if applicable.
• GST / PST – Some items are charged taxes (snacks, personal care items, etc).  The taxes have been included in the member price if applicable.
• We use two suppliers and each supplier has its own legend, and is listed under the “Feature” column.
  Horizon uses the following; E = Single packages / containers of this item can be ordered | S = Split Case (less than full cases can be ordered) | F = Frozen | R = Refrigerated | * = Organic | + = Canadian | @ =Fair Trade
  And the organic produce wholesaler only uses FT to indicate Fair Trade.
• Certified organic means the product has been grown without pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers, and is not genetically modified.
• Raw items are not listed in the legend, but are mentioned in the description if applicable.
• Splitting (sharing) full cases or half cases (split cases), if offered by the supplier, is encouraged.  Members may order smaller quantities, using the split request function, which will be combined to fill the order whenever possible.  The online ordering system allows members to make split case requests and to view and participate in other member’s split case requests.
• Ordering a smaller quantity than a full case – When permitted by the supplier half cases or individual items can be ordered.  To order a SPLIT case or a single item, please add an (S) or an (E) in the “Cat. Size” box.  There is a 5% premium for SPLIT CASES or EACH ITEMS ordered.  This is a premium charged to us by Horizons.
  For example 12/500ml (S) would be a split size of 12/500ml – you would receive 6/500ml.  As well, please indicate in the QTY column the portion of the full case you wish to receive (ie 0.25 of 12/500 ml would mean you will receive 3/500 ml portions).
  If you do not do this you will receive a full case because we have no other way of knowing you want a smaller quantity.
• Please keep these instructions at hand for reference when placing your order.

PLEASE NOTE: Fruit and vegetables are seasonal and prices change almost daily. If you would like to order produce, please add it to your order (if you want the whole amount) OR the SPLITS page (to share with others).  Please note that the list is to give an indication of the price – the actual price list for our order comes out late on the Friday (ie just a couple of days before the order deadline).

If you have questions, please contact us at the above email or phone number.  Please give us some time before the order deadline to get you set up online, etc.  Any and all feedback is appreciated.

Thank you for being part of our community.  =)