Fresh, Local, Affordable Seasonal Produce Available in Your Neighborhood

In a complex world, it is challenging to maintain health. We face pollution everywhere. Food is plentiful but much is highly processed and grown under questionable conditions. Purple Dragon Co-op works with a network of small family farmers growing food nearby in the safest and most healthful ways possible. Our farmers raise blueberries, asparagus, lettuces, mushrooms, cooking greens, peas, green beans, onions, squashes of every variety, and tomatoes. They provide apples, cherries, peaches, plums, pears and nectarines. More distant farms provide citrus, bananas and vegetables in the off-season. You get a delicious mixed box of seasonal produce, mostly certified organic but everything is very alternatively grown, every two weeks. Pure foods help us eliminate toxins from our bodies and increase our resistance to illness and diseases. We can eat these delicious, healthful foods in confidence, knowing that we are providing the best for our families. In buying with Purple Dragon, we help preserve farmland and natural farming techniques in our region.      

You can become more in touch with the weather and seasons by seeing what comes in our shares. We learn how food looks in nature instead of everything looking the same. Our fruit may have funny spots or our peppers may be asymmetrical but are they unbelievably delicious.    

Another problem of modern society is our alienation and people being unable to afford organic food. Purple Dragon works to heal these issues in several ways. Families are divided into small, neighborhood groups all over New York and New Jersey. Members, if available, take turns dividing the produce, working one hour every third month with another member, thereby meeting someone with whom they have this interest in common.  Dividers receive a discount, which can make the Co-op even more affordable for them. “Pod” potlucks, friendships, playgroups, business relationships and parties have evolved through this network. Sometimes, we have all Co-op events where members from different “pods” meet each other and some of the farmers that supply us. We have a recipe exchange where members can find out what to do with challenging vegetables. Buying together, we are able to save money that would otherwise go to large chain stores or their shareholders. Families can use their savings to contribute to causes, save for vacations or homes or children’s college funds.

            Many products are offered through Purple Dragon. Members can get grocery items (we often get great deals,) organic eggs and meat, organic flowers, natural lotions, shampoos, soaps, sunscreens, bug repellants, natural pest products, organic nuts, beans and grains, local cheeses and dried fruits, household items such as green bags, baby food grinders, water and shower filters, cookbooks, food mills, juicers and organic and non-irradiated herbs and spices. We also have vitamin orders with excellent prices in January, May and September.

            We offer monthly specials on excellent organic shade-tree grown coffee which is roasted when ordered and ground to your specifications.

            Purple Dragon uses natural products in our office and warehouse, including using only recycled paper. We recycle all office paper and return crates to farms to be used again. We donate money to organizations including the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides and the Organic Trade Association. We work to treat all people in a respectful manner. We make interest-free loans to some farmers. We look forward to you joining us in our endeavors to help make a more positive, healthful world for ourselves and our children. 

For more information visit www. PurpleDragon.com , or call the main office (973) 429-0391, or contact the local Westfield host by email at cflee4@verizon.net.