One of the 'answers' is as follows. Get lots of people together and purchase certain staple foods in bulk. People pay for what they order up-front, and you and your friends order by the truckload.

Certain canned foods are ubiquitous (sp?--first time I have ever had a need for that word) to regions or areas. So, buy caseloads and sell only caseloads.

Peas, beans, corn, noodles, like that. It will mean you have to buy the fresh stuff from the store, but you will be able to realize a substantial savings on things you use very frequently. I was involved with something like that years back. There are a few simple rules.

1) You want to split a case, that's up to you, not the 'co:op)
2) If you weren't at the meeting, you get what's on the list or it ain't coming
3) You pay cash, up-front, period.
4) When the order comes, you arrange to pick it up. We ain't Pizza Hut and we don't deliver.