Azure Standard – A Complete Guide to Shopping the Popular Co-Op

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If you are in the healthy living space, you have probably heard of Azure Standard. In this blog post I am breaking down everything you need to know when it comes to shopping with them.

When I first began my journey shopping with Azure I had no idea what to expect. Picking up your groceries off of the back of a semi-truck is definitely different, and can feel super intimidating.

It has been over five years since I placed my first order with them, and today I run my very own drop here in our town.

As a drop coordinator, I have had a lot of experience working with Azure Standard. I am very familiar with the way their whole process works and I am excited to help you know what to expect!

What is Azure Standard?

Azure Standard is a family owned, whole food co-op based out of the west coast. They offer high quality organic and non-GMO foods and even have a list of unacceptable ingredients on their website. They have over 4,000 monthly drop sites all across the United States and continue to grow every year.

They offer a wide variety of items including health and beauty items, kitchen tools, unique foods that are hard to find as well as bulk items and much more. They deliver the items via a semi-truck at a monthly drop site, where members come together to collect their orders.

Getting Started with Azure Standard

Creating Your Account

The first step in ordering through Azure Standard is to set up your account. It is completely free to join, and you can do so by going here and navigating to the button on the right of the homepage that says “Get started for free”.

You will then be prompted to create an account using your email.

After you have created your account, you will want to search for a drop in your area. You can do this by selecting “my account” at the top of your screen and then selecting “drops” on the left hand menu. Then you will select the “add a new drop” button. It will then take you to a map where you can search your home address or any other address and find drops local to you.

Select the closest drop or whichever one you prefer to join. You have now been added to the drop!

Placing Your First Order

Once you have created your account and have joined a drop, you can now place your first order with Azure Standard! However, there are a few things you should know before placing your order.

Order Cut Off Date

Every month there is an order cutoff date. This is because the truck is loaded with that month’s orders and sent out. After the cut off date has passed, a new order window will open with the next cutoff date (this runs on a 4 week cycle). You can find your order cutoff date and estimated delivery window on the top right of your account page. You must fully checkout with your order before the cutoff date and time, or your order will not come with that month’s delivery.

Once Your Order is Placed

When you have placed your order, you will get a confirmation email letting you know your order has been received. Then, usually within 48-72 hours, you will receive an email with the date and time of your order pick up. It is important that you understand that the drop time is not established until after your order has been placed and the cutoff window has closed. You will want to make sure that you will have availability during your week of estimate to pick up your order, or you know someone who can pick up for you.

How do Azure Standard Drops Work?

Every drop coordinator runs their drop differently. Most of this depends on the size of the drop, the location it is in and so on. Here are a few facts that are generally applicable to most drops:

• Your volunteer drop coordinator will be present at the drop to help things run smoothly.
• Drop members are expected to help unload the truck. Each item that comes off the truck will have a name label on it.
• Drop members use the name labels to sort out the packages by name.
• Once the truck is unloaded and all of the items have been sorted, members are free to collect their items and take them home. Your drop coordinator may request that you check with them before leaving, so this is something you can ask at your first drop.

Does ordering from Azure Standard come with any fees?

Most drops have a shipping fee, however some drops on the west coast may not. My drop here on the east coast has a shipping fee of 8.5% as well as a small order fee for orders less than a certain amount.

My Favorite Azure Standard Products

I have ordered many products from Azure over the last few years, but here are some of my favorites!

Baking Staples

Wheat berries – I talk about ordering wheat berries from Azure in all of my fresh milled recipe posts, but they truly are my go to when it comes to staying stocked up.
Honey – a super affordable price and it’s absolutely delicious.
Maple syrup – cheaper than buying it a quart at a time at Walmart, plus it’s organic!
Baking powder
Baking soda
Redmond Real Salt
Spices and seasonings
Flour
Sugar
Oats
Cornstarch
Cornmeal
Yeast
Blackstrap molasses

Other Pantry Staples

Rice
Pasta
Barley
Olive oil – delicious to use in salad dressings and pizza dough.
Coconut oil – my go to oil for frying!
Avocado oil – this is my favorite oil for making homemade mayonnaise.
Popcorn – my kids love having popcorn as an afternoon snack, and even better is that they can make it themselves using our air popper.

Other items

Raw cheese – we absolutely love their raw cheddar and raw jalapeño jack cheese, it is delicious!
Storage buckets – these are great for storing all of your bulk foods.
Gamma lids – easy open lids for your storage buckets.
Jars – Azure offers their very own line of canning jars now.
Grain mill – Azure carries a variety of home grain mills, including the NutriMill Harvest which is the one I have and love!
Laundry detergent
Cleaning supplies – they offer all-purpose household cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, dishwasher gel and more cleaning supplies!
Vitamins – Azure carries anything from prenatal vitamins, men’s and women’s vitamins and a whole host of other supplements.
Collagen – I love adding this into my morning coffee.
Electrolytes – I have tried and enjoyed both the Re-Lyte electrolyte powder and the trace minerals powder.

Tips for shopping with Azure Standard

• Use the “Products I’ve Ordered” tab under your account to easily reorder your favorite items.
• Check out the ‘Sale” tab for items that are discounted that month.
• If you place an item in your cart that is on sale, but your order cutoff is in the next month, be sure to check out before the month switches over to guarantee the sale price.
• Order bulk items to save the most money and keep your pantry stocked.
• Be respectful – Arrive on time to your drop and be courteous of the other members. If you cannot make your drop time for some reason, give your drop coordinator plenty of notice. Most of us are willing to work with you, but we like a good heads up!

I hope you found this helpful and feel more prepared for your first order with Azure Standard!