Are you looking for an exciting job in the food industry? Are you passionate about food and local business? If so, you might be the ideal candidate for a paid position with the Edible Exchange.  We’re looking for a part-time person (25-30 hours) who has some knowledge of the food industry (worked in a restaurant, grocery store, specialty food store, etc.)  The ideal person will join our team and be a part of a movement to shop local and connect community to local farmers, ranchers and artisans.

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION & REQUIREMENTS:

• Entry level position
• Eager to learn and contribute in a meaningful way
• Flexibility and ability to change gears quickly or take a project on with little direction
• Ability to answer multiple phone lines and field questions from customers
• Maintain Edible Exchange Market inventory inside office showroom and interact with local artisan food vendors
• Assist with event coordination (Food Truck Wednesdays, etc.)
• Computer skills and knowledge of Excel to keep database
• Knowledge of social media applications such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Foursquare would be a plus

To apply, send us a resume and three reasons we should consider you for the position.  Email to lori@bartergroup.com.  To learn more about us, visit: www.edibleexchange.com.

We at The Barter Group love to think about possibilities. We love connecting like-minded people together, helping small business owners stay profitable and eating healthy.  So we put on our thinking caps, took our Edible Exchange concept to the streets and the rest is history.  We now have 30+ local  food-forward vendors making barter a lifestyle choice and a brand new Edible Exchange Market housed in our corporate office.  Amazing.

With our new market expansion came remodeling and redecorating so we hit the Melrose District and found Sweet Salvage and Kim Rawlins.  Kim helped me transform our generic office digs into a beautiful farm chic market that our members are raving about.  We are now expanding even more and Sweet Salvage came to the rescue once again with a beautiful chandelier and European farmtable that we can not wait to display next week.  We purchased some extraordinary pieces and adorable props from Sweet Salvage and welcome everyone to visit our hip new market in Scottsdale.  And, of course, we want you to shop and support all of our local food vendors.

A big thank you to the Sweet Team and look forward to your next show in March.  An equally big thank you to all of our loyal TBG members for supporting our Edible Exchange Market and make it a point to shop local.

I have always thought it best to separate my personal feelings from my business but sometimes I think they overlap.  I often wonder how barter touches my member’s lives or if they even think about it. Of course, it matters to me on many levels since this is my business and has been in my family since 1978. So, last night I received a telephone call from a member that touched me to tears and is the inspiration behind this blog.

Willie is an aging canine with cancer whose parents are Chef Becky & John Windels and members of The Barter Group.  Willie is now enjoying his life after being cared for by Animal Care Clinic, also members of The Barter Group.  As the 3 of them were lying down together grateful for the moment and the prospect of another 6 months of togetherness, Chef Bec said, “Thank God”.  John said, “Thank, The Barter Group!” and picked up his phone to call me and tell me himself.  I, of course, was deeply touched by their story and wondered again if other members appreciate the benefits of their barter membership as Becky and John do.  If not, does it really matter?

I can tell you many more heartwarming stories like these in addition to the many stories of how barter helped to grow a business or reward a valued employee, or help a single working mom feed her kids, or replace an a/c unit in the middle of summer.  What I have learned along the way is that the members who value their membership, and are in it for the long-haul, do the most business, support our local community and are respected by the other members.

So, I thank all of my supportive members for sharing their stories, successes and everything else life throws at us, with me.  I am honored that you allow me to be a part of your life’s journey and that membership in The Barter Group really does matter.  Happy Valentine’s Day!

Are you looking for an exciting internship? Are you passionate about support local businesses? If so, you might be the ideal candidate for an internship with The Barter Group and Edible Exchange.  We’re looking for a part-time or full time intern who has excellent customer service, communication and inside sales skills.  The ideal person will join our team and be a part of a movement to shop local and connect community to local farmers, ranchers and artisans.

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION & REQUIREMENTS:

• College student with major in agriculture, business, sustainability or communications. Minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Eager to learn and contribute in a meaningful way
• Strong writing and verbal skills
• Flexibility and ability to change gears quickly or take a project on with little direction
• Ability to answer multiple phone lines and field questions from customers
• Help broker trade deals for Barter Group members
• Maintain Edible Exchange Market inventory inside office showroom and interact with local artisan food vendors
• Computer skills and knowledge of Excel to keep database
• Knowledge of social media applications such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Foursquare

To apply, send us a resume and three reasons we should consider you for the position.  Email to lori@bartergroup.com.  To learn more about us, visit: www.bartergroup.com and www.edibleexchange.com.

Bring on 2013! Here at the Barter Group and Edible Exchange we’re excited about a new year and new opportunities.

2012 brought many “firsts” for us. We launched Edible Exchange in January and kicked it off with an excellent piece in Entrepreneur Magazine! Today, we have grown to almost 40 local food artisans, farmers, ranchers, food trucks in just one year. We also held several education events for our members and the general public, including a FarmTable Brunch with three local, celebrity chefs! The event was held at Superstition Farm and guests dined on exquisite food from Aaron May, Matt Carter and Beau MacMillan. Edible Exchange also sponsored a cheese making demo at The Herb Box in June. That event was a hit too and the program continues to fulfill its mission of connecting communities to local food through education and barter.

On The Barter Group side we enjoyed new members and service categories in 2012 and are looking forward to helping you to navigate through this economy. We know many small business owners are still struggling with cash flow and want to remind you barter is an excellent way to offset expenses.

Here are some ideas for how you can use barter in 2013:

• Use a local plumber, pool service, exterminator, painter, repairman or carpet cleaner to help keep expenses down.
• Try our Edible Exchange program and save on your weekly grocery bill.
• Get restaurant scrip and dine out on barter.
• Support the Edible Exchange Marketplace in the TBG Showroom. In case you haven’t heard, we have a new freezer stocked with Udder Delights ice cream, cheesecakes and butter! We also have other local goods like honey, kale chips, jams and jellies, pasta sauce and more!
• Hire a personal trainer on barter and save your cash while ensuring your health and wellness resolution is met.
• Reward key employees with gift cards or products on barter. It’s a great way to keep top talent incentivized and motivated to work hard.
• Use barter for your healthcare needs. We have dentists, doctors, ophthalmologist and plastic surgeons on barter.
• Branding your business is vital to attracting and retaining customers in 2013 in addition to marketing and advertising. Use your barter to expand your business.
• Call Lori and strategize ways your business can save cash.

As cash becomes harder to come by, our products and services will become our best commodity. Join us in our movement to shop local, save cash and build a stronger community.

The holidays are here and it’s time to make your list and check it twice.  Family members, babysitters, friends, neighbors, nail technicians, hairstylists, business associates, vendors, clients and so on.  It can feel like a never ending list, but we’re here to help! You can purchase all of your gifts on barter and feel good doing it.

You can purchase specialty food such as pies, cookies, caramel apples, brownies and more and deliver them to your key customers as a token of your appreciation.  Just imagine their reaction when they open a homemade box of cookies from a local artisan.  Your client will know you put some time and thought into picking out the perfect gift for them instead of picking up 10 of the same pies at a “Big Box” retailer.

Even in a down economy, it’s still appropriate to send client gifts to your customers.  It’s a simple way to show them you appreciate your business and loyalty.  Think about the flip-side, if you don’t send a gift, it may signal you’ve falling on hard times or no longer value their business relationship.

When it comes to friends and neighbors – Pick up an extra jar of local honey, jam, jelly, olive oil or pasta sauce.  That way, you’re prepared when someone drops by unexpectedly with a gift.

The end of the year is a great time to spend down your account.  You can also make donations to this year’s charity partner, St. Mary’s Food Bank at the Annual Holiday Party & Shopping Extravaganza on Nov. 30.  Remember an account balance may be considered taxable income and you should check with your accountant for more information.

Happy Shopping and don’t forget to call your trade concierge if you need help picking out any gifts.  We also have many gift certificates, bikes, cigars, clothing, jewelry and handbags in the showroom.

Happy Holidays!!

The Barter Group, Edible Exchange & FarmTable Events present the 7th Annual Holiday Party & Shopping Extravaganza at Superstition Farm on Friday, November 30 – 5:30-9:30 p.m.

The evening will include gourmet food, libations, shopping and s’mores by the bonfire – fun for the whole family.

This event is free and open to the public. Food and alcohol are included to barter members and can be purchased for cash by non-barter members.

RSVP BY NOVEMBER 23rd

Email lori@bartergroup.com or call 480-443-0322, your name must be on the guest list to attend.

Any small business interested in becoming a part of our barter community can sign up for free at the event and you will recieve $100 in credit to spend with any vendor that night (restrictions apply).

Interested in vendoring? email lori@bartergroup.com

This year, we are partnering with St. Mary’s Food Bank to help feed the less fortunate in our local community. Barter and cash can be donated to this wonderful charity at the event.

The holidays are coming quickly.  Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away and then it’s Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s Eve.  For those counting at home, there’s less than 60 days shopping days left! We know it’s a busy time of year, so let barter work for you and take some of the hassle out of traveling and shopping. 

Did you know you can use barter for just about anything:

• Transportation to the Airport
• Specialty Food
• Scenic tours throughout Arizona, Jeep Tours, Hot Air Balloon Rides, etc.
• Holiday parties
• Limo light tours
• Photographers
• Raffle Prizes
• Hostess Gifts
• Stocking Stuffers
• Gifts for massage therapist, nail tech, postal carrier, teachers, clients and vendors

Or maybe you need to get your windows, carpets or tile cleaned before the in-laws arrive? Another great way to use barter is to reward employees.  If you can’t afford cash bonuses this holiday season, consider rewarding them with gift cards, food or merchandise on barter.  Or better yet, give them some barter dollars to use during our annual Holiday Party & Shopping Extravaganza on Friday, Nov. 30 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Superstition Farm.   It’s a great opportunity to do all your holiday shopping on trade and save your cash!

For more ideas on how to spend your barter this holiday season, call Lori at 480.443.0322.

It occurred to me while shopping at the Central Farmer’s Market last week how social farmer’s markets can be.  Not only did I purchase healthy food, support local farmers & food artisans but I bumped into many friends and colleagues.  I wound up spending hours chatting to friends and meeting new ones.  I am quite certain that would not have happened in Walmart or Safeway.

I thought about how “boxed in” we have become with our cars, houses, cubicles at work, guard-gated communities, the burbs and big box stores.  I read where the Vietnamese set up red stools on the streets in front of food vendors where they sit to eat and mingle with family, friends and yes, even strangers.  That sounds like a great idea to me.

Edible Exchange is a local food hub committed to community building, sharing ideas, connecting farmers to the local community and making new friends along the way.  Next Saturday when I am shopping at the Central Phoenix Farmer’s Market I will ask Bo to put out some red stools.

On Friday, May 11, 2012, The Barter Group launched The Edible Exchange, a new barter concept for local farmers, ranchers, food trucks and artisans. The event took place at Superstition Farms and nearly 100 members kicked off the concept with food, drinks, hay rides and a petting zoo!