LIVERMORE FALLS — A new local buying club is expected to save members money on groceries.

The Spruce Mountain Buying Club will hold a membership meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, at the town office.

Town Manager Kristal Flagg gave an overview of the program that was being spearheaded by residents Robin Beck and Patricia Henges to selectmen on Jan. 3. They have been involved in this type of program in the past, Flagg said.

During the membership meeting, the program will be explained, including how to place orders, club coordinator Robin Beck said Tuesday.

She plans to hold monthly meetings for new members or those who may be curious about the club.

The membership fee for the club is a one-time $25 for the buying club only, Beck said.

“We hope to get a storefront cooperative off the ground at which time the fees will change,” she said. “We have started a board that will guide the club and is looking into the feasibility of opening a storefront cooperative in Livermore Falls. The buying club and cooperative are both member-owned and all major decisions affecting the membership must be voted on by the membership.”

Anyone in the area is welcome to join.

“In this way, we can buy more diverse products to split among the members. We pay wholesale prices from both Associated Buyers and Crown of Maine Organic Cooperative,” Beck said.

The club will buy in bulk, meaning 25- to 50-pound bags of flour, cases of canned goods or cheese. The members place the orders and either buy a whole case for themselves or offer to split it with another member, she said.

“This is where more members help out,” she said.

The products are then delivered to an appointed place — now it’s Beck and Henges farm on Record Road — and the ordering members and any other volunteers gather, break down the products by order, and take home their food, Beck said.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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