Where to buy produce in bulk?

Hi T,

Yup, Norcal Produce is definitely the place to go, I've been shopping there for 2 1/2 years now! When you call, tell them your name and that you'd like to place an order on the "house" account. They'll open up an invoice and let you know when they're ready, and then you can start listing off stuff you want (or asking if they have a certain thing). There is a $100 minimum for new will call customers as of a couple months ago. Be sure to ask for a total and bring exact change (or as close to it as possible, they're always slammed busy). They're open 24/7. Their prices change with the market weekly, but here's an idea of what they've got and what I last paid:

~Organic Ataulfo Mangos $11.25/case, 16 count (conventional are $10)
~Young Thai Coconuts $18.20/case, 9 count (they used to be $13.20, price went up drastically a couple months ago...)
~Fair Trade Organic Bananas $28.65/case, 40lbs (roughly 100 bananas)
~Organic Red Grapes $36/case, 9 count 2lb bags (California)
~Organic Juicing Oranges $28/case, 108 count
~Organic Medjool Dates $56/case, 15lbs

**If you aren't already going to the Sunday Farmer's Market downtown at W St. & 8th St. (8am-12pm year round), get on it!!!! Tons of awesome produce, lots of organic or organically grown but uncertified, no-spray, etc. Most folks have signs up to let you know their growing methods, but if they don't just ask. I ride my bike with a bike trailer there every week, I aim to get there first thing in the morning since I work at noon on Sundays. Add me on Facebook if you'd like (www.facebook.com/farmerchlo) and feel free to hit me up if you'd like to meet up there in the future!

Also be sure to join the Sacramento Fruitluck (www.meetup.com/SacramentoFruitluck) and Bay Area Fruitluck (www.meetup.com/FruitluckSF) Meetup groups!! I organize the Sac group, but we haven't had a meetup since work got crazy for me last fall. It's set up so any member can create a meetup event, so please feel free to do so! I work weekends so am unable to meet then, but I will be planning monthly bike rides and fruitlucks on weekdays soon now that Spring is about over (I work at a plant nursery, Spring is like working at the mall during Christmas!).

Anywho, hope that helps and hopefully meet y'all soon!
~Chlo

Replies

FarmerChlo May 28, 2014 at 12:06pm

Hi T,

Yup, Norcal Produce is definitely the place to go, I've been shopping there for 2 1/2 years now! When you call, tell them your name and that you'd like to place an order on the "house" account. They'll open up an invoice and let you know when they're ready, and then you can start listing off stuff you want (or asking if they have a certain thing). There is a $100 minimum for new will call customers as of a couple months ago. Be sure to ask for a total and bring exact change (or as close to it as possible, they're always slammed busy). They're open 24/7. Their prices change with the market weekly, but here's an idea of what they've got and what I last paid:

~Organic Ataulfo Mangos $11.25/case, 16 count (conventional are $10)
~Young Thai Coconuts $18.20/case, 9 count (they used to be $13.20, price went up drastically a couple months ago...)
~Fair Trade Organic Bananas $28.65/case, 40lbs (roughly 100 bananas)
~Organic Red Grapes $36/case, 9 count 2lb bags (California)
~Organic Juicing Oranges $28/case, 108 count
~Organic Medjool Dates $56/case, 15lbs

**If you aren't already going to the Sunday Farmer's Market downtown at W St. & 8th St. (8am-12pm year round), get on it!!!! Tons of awesome produce, lots of organic or organically grown but uncertified, no-spray, etc. Most folks have signs up to let you know their growing methods, but if they don't just ask. I ride my bike with a bike trailer there every week, I aim to get there first thing in the morning since I work at noon on Sundays. Add me on Facebook if you'd like (www.facebook.com/farmerchlo) and feel free to hit me up if you'd like to meet up there in the future!

Also be sure to join the Sacramento Fruitluck (www.meetup.com/SacramentoFruitluck) and Bay Area Fruitluck (www.meetup.com/FruitluckSF) Meetup groups!! I organize the Sac group, but we haven't had a meetup since work got crazy for me last fall. It's set up so any member can create a meetup event, so please feel free to do so! I work weekends so am unable to meet then, but I will be planning monthly bike rides and fruitlucks on weekdays soon now that Spring is about over (I work at a plant nursery, Spring is like working at the mall during Christmas!).

Anywho, hope that helps and hopefully meet y'all soon!
~Chlo
- Hodor > FarmerChlo October 11, 2014 at 5:34pm
  
  Thanks FarmerChlo for this very useful post. I am just starting out today (i.e. complete newbie) and just picked up my first order from Norcal. Now to go figure out how to ripen all these bananas :)
- FarmerChlo > Hodor October 12, 2014 at 6:04pm
  
  Awesome. I was there today too! Be sure to keep the bananas belly down (like they come packed) and that'll keep 'em from bruising (I have no clue why grocery stores think its a good idea to stack them belly up...total newbs lol). Have you joined the Sac Fruitluck Meetup group? Our next meetup is Sunday morning November 2nd, we're going to a no-spray fruit farm in Vacaville to pick persimmons!
  
  Enjoy your new fruit stash ;o)
  
  ~Chloe
Jon C May 28, 2014 at 8:05am

Welcome! When I buy in bulk I go to nor cal fruit produce. They sell a 15 lbs box of organic medjool dates for $60! They have everything but you have to buy in bulk. I usually call and place an order first. 1 (916) 373-0830.
So far I haven't met with any of the 811ers but I want to!
- T > Jon C May 28, 2014 at 9:21am
  
  Thanks Jon! I was told Rohrer Bros Produce Inc might be a good place to try, but I will definitively try this nor cal fruit produce.
  
  I would be happy to meet other people, maybe we can do a midtown meetup.

This reply was deleted.

Sacramento Fruitarians

Replies