Get It Started: Treat Club

Zingerman’s is a deli in Ann Arbor, MI, that has grown into a gourmet-food institution. One of the things it’s famous for is its culinary clubs. Each month, members are automatically shipped diverse samplings of their addiction. For example, you can join clubs specializing in rare olive oil, artisan bread, coffee cake, fine cheese, exotic coffee, even bacon, plus our personal favorite, brownies. The trouble is, these clubs are pretty expensive. Who can justify $168 for 6 months of brownies?

But with a little creativity and drive (which is easy to muster up when good food is involved), you can organize one of these clubs yourself. Here are a few hints for getting started.

Find fellow foodies. This shouldn’t be difficult. You probably already have girlfriends, relatives, neighbors, or coworkers who share your passion for chocolate, wine, tea, beer, salsa, organic food…. Recruit a few of them. Keep your club small and exclusive to start.

Settle on a budget. Everyone should agree on an amount they can afford monthly. Since you’ll be pooling your resources and buying larger amounts, stores may be willing to discount. (Wine vendors, for instance, usually offer reductions on case lots.) So unless you start a caviar club, you won’t need to spend that much.

Nominate a president. To compensate for your time and effort in organizing all this, make it clear upfront that your “salary” for serving as club president is a discounted membership. Or else take turns with the organizing and purchasing duties each month.

Start shopping. Here’s where the fun begins. Each month, pick one or a few items that either sound really delicious or have an interesting background. (Make the goal education as much as gratification.) To keep everyone happy, ask your friends for their recommendations and incorporate as many as possible. Items can be purchased locally (supermarkets are great for cheese clubs) or via mail order. Shop wherever suits your budget.

Present yourself as a club. Make sure to tell whomever you’re buying from about your club. Not only may this get you a bigger discount to ensure your future business, but it may also get you some inside information about new varieties or limited shipments that will be arriving soon.

Enjoy them together. You can simply deliver the goods each month, or you can suggest a get-together where everyone can taste and discuss the picks. Depending on the schedules of your members, make it an evening (or afternoon) out.

Branch out beyond food. The club concept works with just about anything. Try body lotion or other beauty products, perennials, scented candles, costume jewelry, refrigerator magnets, whatever. The idea is to delight, surprise, and indulge yourself and your friends each month with a special treat. Go ahead, you deserve it!