Chatham Wholesale Club - Public

What is a Wholesale Grocery Club?

Wholesale Grocery Clubs (also known as buying clubs) enable bulk buying of popular items so that each person’s costs are lower than what they would find in a grocery store. For example, the Wholesale Grocery Club can purchase items by the case (which makes costs cheaper per unit), and then your cost for that item from that case is lower.

Join the CRAFT Community to sign up for the Wholesale Grocery Club!

CRAFT Community

When we source food items for the Chatham Wholesale Grocery Club, we’re thinking about more than just price: We also prioritize sourcing food from companies who value the environment and social and economic justice, and when possible, are local.

Who can be a part of the Chatham Wholesale Grocery Club?

The more members the better (more people buying continues to lower the per unit cost), so this wholesale grocery club is open to current Chatham students, faculty, and staff.

When will this service begin?

The Chatham Wholesale Grocery Club will kick off in Fall 2025 with financial support from the Pennsylvania Department of Education Hunger Free Campus Grant.

We know trying to increase food access only using food pantries is neither sufficient nor sustainable. We hope to meet the food needs of more students, more sustainably. That work begins with the pilot program of the Chatham Wholesale Grocery Club.

Join the CRAFT Community to learn more and sign up for the Wholesale Club!

CRAFT Community

Frequently Asked Questions

Boxes will be available for order once a month. Our pilot program will offer themed boxes in September, October, November, and December.
The final cost of each box will depend on the grocery items for each box and the number of people who buy in each month. We aim to keep the overall cost at or below $100/month. However, eligible students may receive a $50 discount. See the final question — “I am a student. Can I receive an additional discount?” — for more information.
No. Our boxes are designed thematically to provide variety and keep purchasing costs low while reducing labor requirements on the Hunger Free Campus Task Force.
Each box will include at least one type of canned bean, canned tomatoes, an oil, rice or pasta, four to five different herbs and spices, a nut butter, bread, shelf stable and dairy-free milk, granola bars, boxed macaroni and cheese, and canned soup or ramen. Seeds, nuts, and/or dried fruit will also be included. Two boxes will have jelly or jam, one will have honey, and one will have maple syrup.
When possible, we will include produce with a longer shelf life.
It is possible to add on flour, sugar, and oats.
Gluten free boxes will be available.
Boxes will weigh approximately 25 to 30 pounds.
When possible, boxes will include fresh produce with a longer shelf life. This includes items like onions, garlic, sweet potatoes, or winter squash.
No. For the pilot of this program, we will not be offering specifically gluten free boxes. While all boxes will include bread, boxed macaroni and cheese, and instant ramen, most components of the boxes will be gluten free.
No. Personalization of boxes is not available except for the addition of flour, sugar, and oats. If you do not like an item in the box, we welcome you to donate that item to one of the Essential Needs Pantries on any of Chatham’s three campuses, or to share the item with a friend.
No. This pilot program is funded by the 2025 Pennsylvania Department of Education Hunger Free Campus Grant. We received funding to purchase food items only.
No. You can opt in for all four months or only one month. It’s entirely up to you and your needs!
This information is forthcoming.
This information is forthcoming.
Possibly. If your household income is < 200% poverty, you could receive $50 off the cost of your box. So, if the final cost of the box is $100, you would pay $50 with the deduction. However, this option is first come, first serve. The grant supports us subsidizing the cost of only 30 students’ orders per month.