If you have ever wondered how to use Azure Standard, what a drop-off is like, or what kind of items one can purchase from them, this is the post for you! Stick around to learn how Azure works and to see what we bought in December 2022.

Disclaimer

I would like to preface this by saying I am in no way affiliated with Azure Standard, and that all of the thoughts and opinions in this post are my own and are not reflective of Azure policy. I am not compensated by Azure Standard in any way for this post. If you click my link to Azure and place an order over $100, I will get a 25-dollar credit to my account, at no cost to you. They offer this to everyone who orders this through their system,  but feel free to just search Azure if that is not something you are comfortable with!

Our Azure Introduction

One of my favorite ways to stock up on clean groceries for my family is by using Azure Standard. We love Costco and visit it far too often. For most dairy items and specialty items, Azure has been a game changer. Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s are semi-local to us, but I still can’t find most of these items for a comparable price to Azures. Plus, our Azure drop point is right by our Costco, which makes it super convenient for a grocery shopping day. Not to mention, we love supporting a local (to us) business with great products and values. 

I started using Azure about 8 months ago and was honestly really nervous to try it out. My parents had done co-ops when I was a child, but it had been probably 10 years since we last went. The idea of going to a random person’s house, and having to talk to a bunch of strangers to pick up my groceries sounded terrifying. I’m the sort of person who will use self-checkout whenever possible. However, there were a couple of things I couldn’t find anywhere else, so, I gave it a try. 

Azure Process

If you are wanting to know what to expect at your first Azure order, here’s the basic process:

1. Place your order online by the cut-off time for your drop point. This is typically 2-7 days prior to the pick-up time and date. 

2. Within 24-48 hours, you will receive an e-mail with your shipped order, detailing what has been fulfilled and what may have been out of stock. This e-mail will also tell you how much your final bill is and what your card will be charged.
   1. There should also be an e-mail telling you how many boxes/packages you will need to pick up and the date and time your order is expected to arrive. 

3. All drops are a bit different, but typically you will meet up at the drop point to meet the semi-truck. Everyone helps unload the pallets of boxes and divides them up into piles for each name. 
4. Pack up your order into your car and head home! 

Notes

Some drop coordinators are willing to hold your order for you for a short amount of time if you have work or other limiting factors in your ability to be there for the pick-up. Remember that these drops are often at people’s homes, so please be respectful of their time, space, and property! You can also volunteer to create a drop point at your home or church if there is not one near you. Check out the Azure website for all of the details and requirements. 

It really is that simple! In almost a year of using Azure, we have only had 1 mishap where another drop received one of our boxes. Azure refunded us the money, and it was no hassle at all to use that to repurchase the items we were missing. Their customer service has been absolutely outstanding and one of the highlights of ordering from them!

Products and Pricing 

So, on to products and prices. Azure primarily sells natural, non-GMO, organic products. Everything from fresh produce to dairy, skincare to candles, and even storage supplies. We have loved every item we have tried so far. Many businesses, small and large have products available through Azure; for example, Lundberg rice is our go-to for organic, California-grown rice, and is the best price I have found anywhere near us. Bend Soap Company is a small business that sells goat milk soaps and lotions that myself and my baby absolutely love, for an affordable price. 

Some things that we have tried that we no longer purchase regularly include Alexander Farms milk. Don’t get me wrong, it is absolutely incredible. It is as close as you can get to raw milk. Low temp, vat pasteurized, cream on top, absolutely delicious milk. In fact, I’m salivating thinking about it. However, it is quite pricey. It should be too, they create a top-quality product! But with the way our grocery budget has been looking, we have been cutting back in some places and unfortunately, this is one of them. Every once and a while we still indulge as a treat, though!

Fresh produce is something else that we tend to avoid, not for negative reasons from Azure, but simply because we are able to find better prices at the commissary (we live on a military base). I have heard great things about their organic produce, though, and would love to hear your thoughts if you give them a try!

I highly recommend checking out the discounts you can get on items if you choose to buy in larger quantities. There tends to be a reduction in price per ounce when you purchase more of an item. We use Celtic Grey Sea Salt and I love to purchase it in bulk when it goes on sale! It lasts for ages and becomes quite economical when you look for a deal. Also, go ahead and price compares with some other stores, surprisingly I am able to purchase organic unbleached all-purpose flour for less at Costco than I am from Azure. Wheat berries are a must-buy from Azure in terms of price and quality!

December Grocery Haul

Raw Cheddar Cheese – 5-pound block  

Mozzarella Cheese – 6-pound block 

Strauss Yogurt European Style – 6 containers (case) honestly, we could have purchased 2 of these! We go through them quickly. The date is usually 2-3 weeks out from our delivery. 

Jovial Organic Crushed Tomatoes – 12 pack (case)

La Preferieda Organic Green Chiles – 3 pack

Celtic Grey Sea Salt – 6 pack (case)

Bend Soap Company Goat Milk Bar Soap – Oatmeal & Honey 

Balm of Gilead – Tallow Diaper Cream 

Stainless Steel Cake Pans – for a friend I have a set of these as well and love them!

Let me know if you love Azure Standard as well, or if you’ve never heard of them before! I would love to know what your favorite items are and how often you purchase them. We are always on the lookout for some new treasures to find from Azure! Leave a comment below and please let me know if you try them out. 

Have a great New Year!!