Introducing the DATE CO-OP Project

DISCLAIMER: CHECK OUT THE PRODUCT PAGE FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS ON WHAT IS IN 

“The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation.”
Bertrand Russell

“Every kind of peaceful cooperation among men is primarily based on mutual trust and only secondarily on institutions such as courts of justice and police”
Albert Einstein

“Don't listen to those who say, you taking too big a chance. Michelangelo would have painted the Sistine floor, and it would surely be rubbed out by today. Most important, don't listen when the little voice of fear inside you rears its ugly head and says. they all smarter than you out there. They're more talented, they're taller, blonder, prettier, luckier, and they have connections. I firmly believe that if you follow a path that interests you, not to the exclusion of love, sensitivity, and cooperation with others, but with the strength of conviction that you can move others by your own efforts, and do not make success or failure the criteria by which you live, the chances are you'll be a person worthy of your own respects.”
Neil Simon


Hello All Together, 

Today we are going to cover the subject of DATE-COOP I have mentioned in some posts before.. I have had to wait for some time to get things properly organized ,, with freight prices and so, to be able to post it all over Europe on convenient, affordable pricing... but finally it kicked in!!

FOR UPDATES ON PRODUCTS AND OFFERS VISIT THE PAGE
http://thenofrontiers.blogspot.com/p/products_12.html

So many people have a hard time getting enough quality calories especially when autumn - winter approaches... and not much is found available to sustain us and our diets...

I have been mentioning previously the willingness to start a DATE-CO-OP on European level, had to wait for some time to get things properly organized ,, finally it kicked in!!

SO HOW DOES IT WORK?

To make a long story short: The idea is
to create a network of bulk importers/buyers all over Europe... Many
people complain of bad fruit quality having a hard time to keep enough
calories up , especially in winter times in this continental areas it
can be hard to stick to a mostly fruitarian or raw vegan diet... The
solution seems likely to be "bulk order" but even then sometimes it can
be hard since not all wholesaler export good quality fruit or untreated
dates at affordable prices for single individuals...

ARE THEY ORGANIC?

In my recent travels across Europe I have sourced out different types
of dates: unheated, untreated, chemical-free and grown without
artificial fertilizers... To be able to distribute "certified organic"
we´d have to spend more $ just just to get some label for bureaucratic
reasons. This dates are "uncertified organic" and in my honest opinion
the best I have come across...  (UPDATE MAY 2011: We are sussing out certified organic dates from Algeria, will distribute in few weeks of time)

VARIETY

At the moment I offer qualitative TUNISIAN DEGLET NOURS in semi-ripe
stage (with pit). That means they are not dry and hard but FRESH and
more likely closer to a fleshy Medjool variety to give you an idea.
They are very sweet and ready to EaT. Best kept at cool temperature in
a dark place without temperature variability (day-night)..

In future I will offer a wider range of date varieties also from other
places as Saudia Arabia and Palestine. All the products will still be
untreated, unheated and qualitative... and affordable... Also other
products could be integrated in future... (UPDATE MAY 2011: We are sussing out certified organic dates from Algeria, will distribute in few weeks of time)

PRICING

The price of the dates varies according to TYPE, SEASON, QUALITY.
Every kg of TUNISIAN DEGLET NOURS costs you 5,00 Euro. They come in
elegant 1kg-package and need to be stored in a dry, cool place , not
necessarily in a fridge however, a corner of your house does well, or
your garage too if its not too humid. Prices vary in season but this is
for now the cheapest option I can offer! Consider that 250 gr of raw,
untreated Dates cost you 3-4 Euro. Contrary to the current trend among
many natural health enthusiasts, this is non-profit so the idea
here is to provide a open, sustainable, exchange (of goods and information)

SHIPPING PRICE

I have two options available either 12kg or 24kg boxes. Every box contains either 12 or 24 single boxes.

The cost for delivery throughout Europe is 19,90E
for either 12 and 24 kg. Its not ´too bad´ considering most other
companies are doing it for something like 35-36 Euro (sigh).. Im trying
to bring it down as orders increase but for now this is it. In Germany
the delivery costs you only 6-7 Euros...

TOO MUCH DATES!


Some people wonder what to do with so many dates! Firstly: on a fruit
diet you can eat up to 1/2 kg or even more a day. I have been living on
dates as a staple for a few weeks this year... If I had to spend a
winter in Europe I would probably order more than 50 kg to begin
with... You can soak-blend them and puree them to a great drink in a
normal blender... In combination with celery or sugar cane juice...
Dates are rich in calories and minerals,
vitamins so great for athletic people!

RESALE

If you know a bunch of people you can easy resell them at a higher
price (its up to you then)... Maybe your neighbour, friend or housemate
wants to buy them from or with you?? If someone wants only 500g or 1kg
you could easily resell them at lets say 9-10 Euro and drop the price
as they order more... Or you can prepare some raw food dish with it and
sell them individually at a market. Its up to you... Remember:
This is a NON-PROFIT project that primarily aims to provide people with
qualitative calories so to sustain a raw vegan diet all year round. If
parallel it can create also ways for income than go for it... share your story with me at
rawfrontiers@gmail.com - I will post your ideas, experiences and
experiment on a newsletter with regular updates too...

HOW TO ORDER


All orders have to be made at the following address: rawfrontiers@gmail.com

Please be specific with the amount (12 or 24kg) and the address where you want the delivery

HOW TO PAY

1. Bank transfer:

International transfer via IBAN

IVAN BONAFE
IBAN: DE94600100700517397707
BIC: PBNKDEFF
POSTBANK STUTTGART

2. Pay-pal

Address: rawfrontiers@gmail.com

TOTAL COST --for OUTSIDE GERMANY--

For 12kg order

60 EURO (DATES) + 19 (DELIVERY) = 79 EURO , divided per 12 (kg) = 6,58 E kg

For 24kg order

120 EURO (DATES) + 19 (DELIVERY) = 139 EURO , divided 24 (kg) equals = 5,79 E kg

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE??

The
moment you send me an order via email and confirm your bank transfer
the order will be carried out. It should take 3-4 days aproximately
from the moment you've ordered to your house.


HOW LONG WILL THIS DATES LAST??

Fresh Tunesian have long shell life up to one year, some other varieties should be stored in a fridge or even best a freezer.
Best protected from parasites and animals as mouses, insects...

PICTURES

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT THIS DATES: 

Ivan!
The dates came today!!!! yayyy!!! YUMMY! They are yummy yummy yummy!
AJ
 
 HEy mate, its home;) thank you very much:) its gonna be carbed blast these days!!
take caare!
peace
MATTIAS
 
I've tried a handful of the dates so far, and the majority of them seem very moist, fresh and great tasting :o) 
MORTEN