How to Order
Delivery Dates
6 Item Order Form
15 Item Order Form
Pre-Orders Online! is a service provided free of charge to Co-op members. For more info on membership and how to be part of an exciting cooperative see our Membership Information page.
Pre-Orders Online! allows any member who has registered to place pre-orders online without the need to visit the store. This is done by filling out an "online version" of the standard United Natural Foods Pre-Order Card. Once the order is submitted online, Co-op staff will ensure it is a valid order, place the order and bill the credit card previously placed on file. Simply pick up the order on the specified delivery date. The receipt will be attached and the order paid for. No need to leave home and no need to wait at the register!
Please note that all Co-op Pre-Order Policies still apply to pre-orders made online.
Any member who has previously registered at the store may use Pre-Orders online. Registration is simple and a one time process, click here for more information about how to register.
Yes..There is a 5% handling fee on all pre-orders. This will cover the costs of labor involved in operating the preorder buying club. There has been a request for member volunteers to take on the responsibility of handling the buying club, with little to no response. If members would like to take on the responsibility of running the preorder buying club in the future the handling fee will be waived. We hope to be able to offer the pre-orders free of charge in the future. Please note though, that the 7% Rhode Island sales tax still applies to all taxable items.
Pre-Orders placed online will be billed directly to your credit card* provided when you registered at the store. You will receive a receipt when you pick up your order. The Co-op regrets it does not accept credit cards online directly but is unable to do so because of security, liability and server limitations. We regret any inconvenience caused by this as it is beyond the Co-op's control. What happens if my credit card is not accepted when Co-op staff tries to charge my order?
*The Alternative Food Cooperative only accepts Visa and MasterCard; we regret any inconvenience this may cause.
Yes, there are three ways to place a Pre-Order.
- Go to the store and pick up a United Natural Foods Pre-Order Card, fill out and return to store. When you return it to the store bring it to the cashier who will ring it up and you may pay by cash, check or credit card.*
- Use The Alternative Cooperative's free online service Pre-Orders Online! to place pre-orders quickly and easily from home, work or anywhere else!
*The Alternative Food Cooperative only accepts Visa and MasterCard; we regret any inconvenience this may cause.
Signing up is easy and a one time process. Just follow the four simple steps below!
- Print out the Authorization Form for Online Purchases.
- Completely fill out the Authorization Form for Online Purchases.
- Drop off the completed form at the store and pick up your Co-op Personal Identification Code (C.P.I.C.) (Be sure to bring your membership identification card, photo ID and credit card as they will be needed!).
If you have more questions about Pre-Orders Online! please do not hesitate to contact us through email at preorders@alternativefoodcoop.com or ask a staff member at the store who will be happy to assist you.
Placing an order is simple with Pre-Orders Online! After you have registered go to www.alternativefoodcoop.com and Select... Pre-Orders Online click on "Item Order Form." This form is very similar to the standard United Natural Foods Pre-Order card you would normally pick up in the store. Fill in your full name, (please include both your first and last names!) phone, C.P.I.C. and last four digits of your credit card along with your order. Also please take note of your order number in case there is a problem with your order.
Your Co-op Personal Identification Code (C.P.I.C) was assigned when you dropped off your registration form at the store. Look on the back of your member card and there should be a sticker with your C.P.I.C.
It is important to be familiar with The Alternative Food Cooperative Pre-Order Policy because all policies still apply to pre-orders placed online. For your convenience the complete, official Pre-Order Policy is available online.
Purchases made through Pre-Orders Online! are extremely secure. Since we do not accept credit cards over the Internet there is no chance that anyone can intercept your credit card number. Also in order to place a purchase you must submit personal information including your name, phone number, last 4 digits of your credit card number and your C.P.I.C. Co-op staff will cross check this information and if it does not match the registration form you submitted the Co-op will not process the order. The entire form is submitted using industry standard 128 bit encryption technology.
The Alternative Food Cooperative respects your privacy. None of your personal information will be shared with any party outside The Alternative Food Cooperative without your prior express permission. For our complete privacy policy please click here.
Pre-Orders placed online will be billed directly to your credit card. (either Visa or MasterCard only please.) In the event that your card is not accepted a Co-op staff member will call the number provided. You may choose to either cancel your pre-order or come to the store and pay for it using cash, check or another credit card, within the next 3 business days or before pre-order cards are due, whichever comes first. To update your credit card information follow these steps.
Important: If you had submitted your Pre-Order online the day pre-order cards were due and your credit card is not accepted we will contact you. Your order will not be delivered on the date that was included with the order form but will be held until the next scheduled delivery date assuming alternative payment is made. You may also choose to cancel your order.
If any of your personal information has changed since you registered (phone #, credit card #, address, etc.) please inform the Co-op as soon as possible. This is for your own security and ensures that your order will be processed.
To update do the following:
- Print out the Authorization Form for Online Purchases.
- Completely fill out the Authorization Form for Online Purchases with your new, updated information.
- Put your C.P.I.C. next to "Co-op Identification & Authorization Code" (Please ignore the "assigned by staff at store.").
- Show the cashier your member card and a valid picture ID and give them your Authorization Form for Online Purchases.
- Your old Authorization Form for Online Purchases will be destroyed.
- Your new Authorization Form for Online Purchases will be placed on file and you may start placing Pre-Orders Online using your new information.
Depending on the mistake different steps should be taken as soon as the mistake(s) are realized.
| If... | Than... |
| Incorrect personal information entered. | Your order will NOT be processed. You must start a new order with the correct information if you wish the order to be processed. |
| Entered wrong/incorrect item(s) or item information. | If stock number does not exist the item(s) will not be ordered. To correct this or other incorrect info call the Co-op (789-2240) and have your order number and C.P.I.C. ready. They will correct your order. |
| Forgot to enter a desired item(s). | Start a new order and enter only the items you forgot to order on your previous order. |
| Entered incorrect price(s). | Before billing your credit card all prices will be checked. If an incorrect price is found it will be corrected. The correct price will be displayed on your receipt. |
Important:
If you had submitted your Pre-Order online the day pre-order cards were due for the next delivery date you may not correct any mistakes as your order will have already been placed and The Alternative Food Cooperative cannot change it. Please triple check your order before you submit it!
If you have suggestion about how to make Pre-Orders Online! better or have encountered problems please contact us through email at preorders@alternativefoodcoop.com or if a technical problem or suggestion contact webmaster@alternativefoodcoop.com. If you have made a mistake with your order please follow the steps provided above.
Copyright 2001-2005 The Alternative Food Cooperative. All rights reserved.