I'm working on getting a Bountiful Baskets site here in MC. Is there any interest? Google Bountiful Baskets to understand how it works. Basically it's a Co-op with 2 deliveries a month beginning possibly in January of fresh fruits and veggies with access to some other items. Let me know if you are interested. I will go to Jordan this week to help them and see how it all works. Thanks!

Kim Lewis
[email protected]

I think this is a great idea!!!!!! I would be interested

I also would be curious/interested

I am very interested. I know people in Hardin and Billings who are involved and love the baskets. My telephone number is 234-7230 when you get started. Thank you so much.

My daughter gets these baskets and really enjoys these. I would be interested in this. 853-0541

Thanks for the interest! There is a delivery in Jordan this Saturday and there are a few baskets left. If anyone wants to get this basket, you need to order on the Bountiful Baskets Website before 8:30 tonight. Go to 'participate', MT, Garfield County, Jordan and then order. Please include the $3 first order fee. Print out your receipt and plan to be in Jordan at 6:45 for pickup. There will be another order on Dec 10 in Jordan and then I hope we will have 2 a month here in MC beginning January. This is a purely volunteer venture so please plan to participate when we get it going here?! Thanks!

Sounds wonderful. I would be interested!

I am interested. We did BB when we lived in Utah and loved it. We would often get together and trade out of the baskets, if there was something we couldn't/didn't use.

Great! I need to find a drop site here, any suggestions? It needs to be accessible and available on a Saturday afternoon for about 2 hours, FREE and out of the elements. Somewhere like a Fire Hall or building at the Fairgrounds or empty building--churches and private homes are not recommended. The pick up is only about 20 mins so 96 baskets picked up in 20 mins might have a fair amount of traffic. Any ideas?

I participate in this (not in MC of course) and love it. The produce is generally very good quality (better than albertsons!) and the cost for a LOT of food is only $16.50. It fills a rectangular laundry basket. We get some odd stuff that we've never tried before - that's a good thing. Also, their 9 grain bread is the best I've ever tasted and has relatively few carbs.

This short video gives you a better idea of how Bountiful Baskets works. I think I've found a drop site, just waiting for final approval! Hoping for January and depending on the response, we may get deliveries weekly! Volunteers needed!

I am very interested. I made an account on the website. I would be willing to volunteer, also. My email is [email protected]

What about the old Volunteer fire dept. building on Main st. next to East main Animal Clinic? Not sure who owns it but somebody did a garage sale there this summer. Maybe something to look into.

very intrested and would be willing to volunteer 853-3834 tammy

I would be interested in the baskets and helping out as long as I knew when.

would love one as well.

Jordan had a great start to Bountiful Baskets last Saturday with 32 baskets. Each site has 96 baskets and I know we won't have a problem filling that here in MC. I have 2 sites so far that will work. Each site needs it's own coordinator and volunteers. Let me know if anyone would be willing to be a site coordinator. I also believe we will eventually have enough participation to have an A and a B truck which means Bountiful Baskets every week rather than biweekly. Please check out the bountifulbaskets.org website to see how this works and you can set up your account anytime. I'll keep you posted!

Kim Lewis

Saturday's Bountiful Basket included:Persimmons, blackberries, grapes, oro blanco grapefruit, bananas, apples, lots of kiwis, onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, yellow squash, celery--yum! All very fresh and for only $16.50! Your first order requires a one-time $3 charge to buy the sorting baskets for the site making it $19.50 then $16.50 thereafter. Great deal! The all Organic basket is $10 more and completely different from the conventional basket. I ordered the Fruit Lovers basket for $10 and it included: kiwis, limes, apples, bananas, pears, Bosc pears, mangoes, and a bag of citrines. Great stuff!

Kim Lewis

I just got my account with Bountiful baskets I would love to have both baskets would this be a problem?

Nope! You can order a standard basket and then upgrade whatever you want. You can also order multiple baskets. You can order as often as you'd like or not at all. No one is committed to anything except volunteering when you can and picking up your basket within the 20 minute pickup time! If you don't pick it up or have someone get it for you, it is donated(I believe to our local food bank!).

- so when does it start in miles city and if u need another place try vfw
thank you tammy -853-3834

I have to train one more time (Dec 10) and then I *think* we will be on the route for January. I'll post the dates as soon as I know. We will have at least 2 orders in January but I'm hoping for one every week if we can get both the A and B trucks--I'll let you know! Anyone willing to be a site coordinator must volunteer/train at another site at least twice before a new site can be added. If our 96 baskets sell out then we need to get another site going. If you think you might be interested in running a site, make sure to volunteer when we start in January!

Kim

I'm still working on getting BB to MC in January but anyone is welcome to contribute to another site if you are willing to travel. Saturday, Dec. 10 is the delivery date in either Jordan or Colstrip. If you'd like to participate in one of those areas you'll have to contribute online next Monday from noon until Tuesday by 10pm. Then make arrangements to be at the drop site within that 20 minute pick up time or you forfeit your basket as a donation.

Colstrip: Dec. 10 at 3:45
Jordan: Dec. 10 at 6:45

You can have someone pick it up but you must send your receipt with them and they have to show it to the coordinator and sign for you.

Thanks and can't wait!
Kim

Please keep me posted! [email protected]

Kim, are the times you listed am or pm?

I think this sounds great- we would be interested

Those times are pm! Sorry about that.

I have signed up online but cannot put a location in yet.

Bountiful Baskets starts this week! Our pickup time is this Saturday at 5 pm at HRH. You can begin to contribute tomorrow (Mon) at noon until Tuesday at 10 pm. I'm so excited! You can email me at [email protected] if you have any questions or problems.

Kim Lewis

Kim- do I just sign up online?

Is the 5PM, the time volunteers show up or the basket pick up time? I am looking for a photo op for the Star and maybe a story on the new opportunity in Miles City.

I think the volunteers show up at 3:30 and the baskets will be distributed at 5:00.

Ordered mine.. So excited. Thanks Kim for getting this to Miles City..

Just ordered my basket! So excited! I'd love to volunteer also. I saw on the site it said to be there at 3:30 to volunteer. Kim do I need to let somone know that I will volunteer or just show up at 3:30?

So excited to have just ordered a basket here in MC. The site does not specify where pick up will be happening, but it looks like holy rosary. So, just to be sure: 5-5:20, Saturday at Holy Rosary. Thank you so much, really looking forward to it!

[This message has been edited by beth23 (1/2/2012)]

Thanks all! Volunteers show up @ 3:30--all are welcome. We have to unload the truck, distribute the produce and recycle the boxes. The pickup is from 5pm to 5:20. You must pick up your basket at that time or it will be donated. Please bring a laundry basket or box to put your produce in. Your first order includes a one-time $3 charge that buys the baskets we use to divide the produce and they stay with the site. You also must show your receipt and sign for your contribution. Please send your receipt if someone else is picking up for you.

Steve, that would be great to include the Star. I had planned to contact the office--thanks for checking that off my list! If you want to come by a little before 5pm that would work! We'll be in the first conference room at HRH.

Janel: everyone must make an account at bountifulbaskets.org, then choose participate now, find Montana, choose Custer County, then Miles City, then order. If you want both conventional and organic baskets read the special instructions at the bottom. Please remember your $3 fee on your first order and all orders are charged $1.50 to process your card.

Remember, we are all volunteers and my only benefit is yummy, high quality, fresh produce!!!

I just ordered three organic baskets and two Italian veggie packs. I'm so glad you brought this to us, K!

Is it possible to have someone pick up our baskets? I ordered mine and just found out a trip planned for the next weekend got rescheduled to this weekend!

Janel, send the confirmation sheet you printed with someone and they can sign for you.

I just looked and there are only 47 baskets left. Each site has 96 baskets available so they're about half-way claimed! You have until tomorrow night at 10 pm OR until they are gone to contribute to the co-op. So excited!

Thank you Miles City for supporting Bountiful Baskets! We sold out this evening! Our next opportunity is January 21. We will begin having deliveries every Saturday at 5pm beginning in February! Please let me know if any of you are interested in coordinating that second site?! See you soon!

Kim

Was wondering what the general opinion was from those who received fruits/veggies/bread etc from the Bountiful Baskets co-op on Saturday? I was very pleased with our bounty! Trying eggplant tonight for the first time thanks to BB!

We loved what came in the basket, and also ordered the organic honey whole wheat bread, which is awesome! I volunteered that night and it was so fun getting people together for the big event. I would highly recommend it to those who haven't tried BB. And thank you, to klew for getting it put together here in Miles City. What a great opportunity for our area!

I agree! We got an organic basket, and couldn't believe the quality and quantity of produce. My son is loving some fresh green beans right now. Had a banana a while ago, and will enjoy an apple later today.

The oddest produce in our basket? Asian pears. Very yummy! We can't wait for the 21st!

Liz

We loved ours too! We find the fruit to be a bit sweeter than what we can get in the stores, it just tastes better. Our blackberries lasted about 1 minute before they were devoured, they were awesome! The lettuce is by far the best lettuce I have had in months! It was actually green and not wilted. I will certainly be getting another basket.

It was quite an effort from many to get it all ready for BB participants....so fun to get to know all the "sorters". A huge thank you to HRH and klew who spent so much time making sure every basket was picked up so no one missed out. She is amazing to pull off our first drop off. Thanks Kim!

Thank you MC for being so supportive! I had a blast and am so glad to hear people pleased with the experience. I love getting to know more people and everyone was so patient and helpful! I'm sure our next drop will sell out quickly but we are working on a truck every Sat in Feb. Go to the Bountiful Baskets Co-op Facebook Page to get ideas on using and storing your bounty. Also, someone left their coat? I hope I find the owner before you need it?!

Kim

The fruit and veggies are delicious!!! Awesome day! And Kim you rock!

Klew,

Is it a black Marmot softshell jacket? If so, it may be ours.

My daughter and I had a fun time volunteering and look forward to doing so again. She is using the time toward her Presidential Service Award hours. I don't know if CCDHS is involved with that program, but it has been fun for my daughter and she has enjoyed the Service Learning projects and assignments.

Are 'A' weeks going to be twice monthly and can the necessary training for a 'B' week be done at your site?

I think that we have almost eaten most of the stuff out of our basket.. The bread was good. The grapes were delious. The lettuce outstanding.. Thank you Kim and all your hard work, getting the BB here in Miles City and for all the help that you had..Looking forward to the 21st..

Thanks all! Jade, I think it is your coat. Should I leave it at HRH so you can pick it up or do you want to arrange something else? Email me: [email protected]

Also, anyone interested in being a site coordinator or back up, please let me know so we can get the paper work going and yes you can train here in MC.

Please don't get frustrated if we sell out quickly next Mon. I think having the A and B trucks (every Sat) will give everyone the opportunity to participate.

Kim

Very interested. Joan

I just tried ordering from bountiful basket, but twice the site timed out on me while I was trying to check out. Has anyone else experienced that problem?

I ordered mine with no problem. Hope you can get through!

Liz

Keep trying and stay with it! We are down in the low 20s left! Sign in and then try to participate. The website is very busy and was having problems right at noon! Good luck! I know many will not get on in time--just look forward to Feb with a truck every week!

It started a bit later then we first tried but worked fine after that.

There are only 2 left (probably gone by now). There are still many available in Colstrip and Jordan. If people want to combine and carpool, I would recommend either site. If someone is willing to drive, others could pitch in gas money? So excited for the granola and Asian veggie pack!

Our site sold out in 3 hours! I'm so sorry to everyone that will miss out this Saturday! Look at Colstrip and Jordan or wait until Feb when we get the "B" truck going along with our "A" truck! Does anyone know about the fire hall across from the MC Fire Dept? Who can I call about that?

I finally was able to get the basket ordered.

The fire hall across from the city Fire station is a Custer County Rural fire station. Their number is 874-3510 and I think Bud Peterson is the person in charge.

I'm going to post something in the classifieds, but if anyone is willing/able to go to Jordan (Colstrip is sold out), I would pay for gas. I would go myself but we have a major family commitment that evening. Please call me if you're willing to trek to Jordan!
853-2188

Is there a big enought call for this in Miles City to have 2 pickup locations?? Or is that even possible to have 2 in one town? I know there are several people that were not able to get in on this order.. Just a thought

I know the plan is to expand to a delivery every week instead of every other week but volunteers have to be found and trained. Contact klew for more info.

It is possible to have two pickup locations in the same town. I do think it will be easier to order once we are able to have a delivery every week.

For those of you who got an order placed, don't forget to pick up baskets this coming Saturday, Jan. 12, at HRH.

I picked up my organic basket last night. In a bag was lettuce, broccoli and an unidentified bunch of something.....I'm wondering if it's fennel, but not sure. Anyone?

Fennel is fine-leafed and smells somewhat like licorice. I didn't look in the organic boxes this time so I don't know for sure what was there.

Then it's not fennel.

It's collard greens. Great in soup.

Really. I've never tried collard greens. Best get to lookin for a new recipe! Thanks for the info.

Are thee still openings? I'd really like to be involved.

I'm copying the instructions from above on how you go about ordering this Monday beginning at 12:00 noon:

"everyone must make an account at bountifulbaskets.org, then choose participate now, find Montana, choose Custer County, then Miles City, then order. If you want both conventional and organic baskets read the special instructions at the bottom. Please remember your $3 fee on your first order and all orders are charged $1.50 to process your card."

I would suggest going on early and setting up your account and payment method as the website gets VERY busy once people start ordering, so the less you have to manipulate between pages the better. There are only so many baskets per site, so it gets a little frantic making sure you have your order in before they are all gone.