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Categories: Pets, Specialty Food
Neighborhood: Bayview/Hunters PointThu-Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sat. 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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Kasie and sfraw are an awesome resource for the SF Bay Area!! I have been a member for probably 6 or 7 years now..???
I have always been pleased with the quality of the products I have recieved, have been honestly blown AWAY by Kasie's commitment (and am bummed that she does not get paid for all her work!!) and generosity of spirit to the cause of feeding our loved furry ones (and often ourselves) extremely well.
I love sfraw and am just about as excited to pick up my order as I would be to receive a huge array of gifts in the mail!
I happily and heartily refer clients with multiple animals and a wicked dedication to raw feeding all the time - it takes some work and coordination to get the orders in/ pick them up/ have freezer space to store the stuff/ etc but for hardcore animal nerds like myself it is a dream come true.
So I have two dogs, one medium sized and one I guess you could call him giant sized. Thats two hundred pounds of dogs to feed every month. My dogs are spoiled rotten and only eat foods that i would eat myself. And most of the time, they eat better than I do.
I have read a couple of the negative reviews and would like to address their concerns. The negative reviews mention a mark-up on the prices, and the mark-up is not near as bad as they mention. They are also just comparing the prices to normal supermarket prices, which is not comparable. Sure the chicken breast are more expensive than foster farms chicken breast. Now compare the rocky Jr. prices from the co-op and the rocky jr. prices from whole foods. Thats comparing apples to apples. You can't compare the clark summit pork shoulder roast to supermarket cut pork shoulder roast, its no where near the same quality or superior husbandry standards.
I have been a member of SFRAW for about two years now, and absolutely support the group in any I can. This group is an EXCELLENT source for QUALITY raw foods, advice from extremely experienced raw feeders, and an excellent resource for local products. It is more expensive than foster farms chicken, but its worth it. If you only look at the price list, then compare apples to apples, and not these excellent quality meats to much cheaper substitutes.
I've been a member of SFRaw since its founding, and used to drive all the way to San Francisco from out near Jenner on the Sonoma Coast to buy from it. I'm not looking for the cheapest meat, or I'd just go to any bulk wholesaler and buy there. What I was looking for then was somewhere to find high quality, sustainably and humanely raised meats that I could afford for my very large group of giant dogs and a few cats. This co op was the ONLY way I could possibly have afforded that quality of meat for so many big animals.
My needs have changed over the years -- I've moved back to San Francisco and only have, sadly, a single dog now (although she's big). I still buy from SFRaw, because it represents a huge savings over what I would pay for things like grass-fed meat and pastured eggs. They also now sell some really high quality "convenience" foods, like whole ground rabbits. Amazing variety, and I find the once-monthly pick up a big time saver over running all over to buy one thing here and another thing there -- although this was, granted, more of a problem when I had more animals.
I also buy a lot of my own food through SFRaw (which I cook, so the name is a bit of a misnomer in my case). The eggs are fantastic, and the prices on the grass-fed meat a fraction of what they are at places like Whole Foods or other markets that regularly carry grass-fed meats. They even have great prices on my holiday turkey -- free range, heritage, and organic, of course!
When I joined originally the only requirement was a single volunteer stint a year. Today, that's been joined by a small annual fee ($80), to pay for a central location with freezer storage. They also distribute to neighborhood satellite locations, including one three blocks from my house in the Sunset! The extra fee is a small price to pay for the added convenience of picking up practically out my front door, as well as having the central location with freezer storage in case of an emergency such as I forget to place my order and need a few things to tide me over.
I also like SFRaw as a community. I've found or recommended everyone through this group -- groomers, dog walkers, pet sitters, vets, even a plumber once! Very helpful local group of people with shared interests and values.
I have been a member of SFRAW for over 5 years now (actually I think its closer to 6 at this point). Anyhoo- I can not say enough about the amazing experiences I have had with this group. It is literally one of the only reasons I think I can never move from the bay area.
When i joined the group there were just a couple hundred of us- and now there are over 900 people on the yahoo group. We all support each other through animal health advice, vet referrals, any questions about raw diets. More than a handful of times I have looked to complete strangers to help me pick up my order when i had a scheduling conflict, or purchase meat in between pick-ups when I ran low. One of my closest friends I met through this group. As a group we order every month together to pick up 1 month later. It takes so much coordination and dedication by Kasie (the owner and moderator of the group) I was literally astounded that one person could do all of it. Though now, finally with the expansion of the group - she has a bit of help! YAY Kasie!
Each month i am able to order the highest quality meats, dairy products, eggs, supplements, grains, house hold items, all at literally a fraction of the cost if I was getting them all at the store. I WOULD NOT be able to feed my cats an organic raw diet if this group did not exist. There has always been a once a year volunteer commitment- and that seemed so reasonable to me I couldn't ever complain. But to make it even more reasonable, when I couldn't actually volunteer on the pick up day (it used to be on the 3rd thursday of every month until very recently) because of grad school commitments, I was able to sign up for a shift that required me to only have access to a computer! Perfect!
And as of 3 months ago thanks to Kasie's diligence, unfathomable hard work and vision we now have a warehouse space!!!! OMG!!! For the past 5+ years we have been working out of someone's garage- which was just fine. Things always went so smoothly, I didn't realize we needed to change. Then one day Kasie announced the option to get an affordable warehouse space with a walk- in freezer, walk-in refrigerator, parking, the whole shabang! But it also meant an $80/year membership fee if you wanted to continue ordering. At 1st I was concerned, because I don't have huge orders, I just feed 2 kitties a month. But i knew I trusted her and her vision. She let people know that the group had gotten so big that she was going to have to cut back membership or close down. I realized this move was necessary and so of course paid my dues, knowing I needed to keep being able to order.
AND LET ME TELL YOU- i couldn't be happier. Now we can buy extras all the time. She has "freezer sales" on a regular basis- there was one this past week 4 days in a row. So if i am low on anything I can just go there instead of having to contact the group - not that that was so bad. AND the prices are AMAZING-- here are some examples- and why I will never ever leave:
Diestel Turkey $1.85/lb (bought at 20lb bulk packages) instead of $9.69 a pound at Berkeley Natural Foods!!!!!! Same turkey
Prather Ranch Ground Beeg $2.98/lb (5lbs at one time) instead of $7/lb
Transfer Factor for Cats by 4Life- $36/canister instead of $90 from my vet!!!
I buy local chicken eggs that eat nothing but grass and bugs for $4.50/dozen instead of the comparable eggs from MSF for $8.00/dozen
Marin Sun Farms groud pork- $2.65/lb!!!! (never seen it elsewhere so can't compare it to anything)
I buy raw goat milk every month during the spring and summer - where else can you get raw goat milk- they don't sell it stores.
For the price of 1 large bottle of Natures Miracle in the store- I was able to get FOUR large bottles from the group.
Seriously the list is endless. Every single month I am so thankful that I have this in my life. My cats' lives were literally saved when I started feeding them raw, and SFRAW is the only thing that has allowed ME and THEM to eat as healthy as we do for such an affordable price.
And lastly- I read Hyena's review - and anyone on yelp who really believes that Kasie or SFRAW has ever had any other intention than to bring this kind of amazing service to those of us who love our little companions, either doesn't know much about feeding raw, doesn't care about quality (and would be just fine feeding meat from Safeway), doesn't know Kasie, or just has a bone to pick with anyone. I challenge anyone to find a better deal on such high quality products ANYWHERE in the bay area for their pets. I have looked, and never once in 5 years found it.
After losing my last dog to cancer at the young age of 8, I did a lot of research into food and came to the conclusion that a raw diet would be a better alternative for my next dog. Then I got my next dog and I had to put that conviction into play. Yup, I can go to the grocery store or local butcher and buy a lot of the ingredients I needed to feed my dog but, since I'm doing this for her long and continued health, I wanted organic. And, having been a vegetarian for many years due to political reasons, I wanted to find sustainably and humanely raised (and slaughtered) meat. That was the hard part. I'm sure it can be done, but it's really hard when you also have a life.
Then I found out about SFRaw. It's fantastic. ALL the products are vetted by the organizer and are ALL from eco-savvy sources. The only thing I have to do is choose what to feed....and the collective mind of the yahoo group associated with SFRaw is a treasure trove of information about raw diets, pet problems etc. It's the first place I go with questions.
Sure, I could get a lot of meat cheaper at Costco or other places, but then I'm getting factory-farm raised animals raised in less than pleasant and ideal conditions so I'm happy to pay a bit more and feel good about it.
We do all have to volunteer once a year to help keep SFRaw running, since it is a co-op. For me, it's a 4 hour commitment and it's always really fun to see how it all works and meet other members.
If I had to come up with a 'con' for SFRaw...well, I'd be hard pressed. Let's see...well, I guess the once a month pick up could be considered a con by some, as I did have to buy a deep freeze (at the aformentioned Costco) to hold all the food but that's not a big deal and it actually saves time since I only go dog food shopping once a month or even every other month now.
There isn't much in my life about which I'm neurotic. But my dog? Yup, I am completely neurotic about him. And with good cause. He's had cancer 5 times. He's had Lyme disease. He's now 12 and 145 pounds and is suffering from arthritis. The poor guy has had it rough and deserves to eat like a king. After all, he once saved a group of kids whose canoe had overturned in the river next to where we were camping. What the hell have you ever done?
I started learning about raw feeding several years ago. Turns out that most commercial dog food is total crap, no matter how expensive it is. True, there are some exceptions (I keep some Primal Patties in the freezer for when I run out of other food, or for when we're traveling), but for the most part I do not like it. I know there are tons of people who are anti-raw diets for dogs, and I'm not interested in debating the merits. I've seen the difference in my dog and that's all that matters to me.
SFRAW is a wonderful resource for raw feeders. They source the best ingredients - meat from humanely and sustainably raised livestock, which is important to me. And the prices are phenomenal - much lower than what you'd pay for lower quality meat in the supermarket.
But almost more importantly, you get a wealth of knowledge from everyone in the group. People often send out questions on feeding or health/behavioral issues and the response is overwhelming. These people collectively know more than most veterinarians and are happy to offer advice and encouragement. I've learned more from reading their suggestions than I have from most books and articles I've read.
You are required to volunteer at least once each calendar year to be eligible to order, but there are a plethora of jobs with flexible schedules, so you're sure to find something that suits you.
My only complaint? I regret having learned how good tripe is for my dog, because I now feel compelled to feed it to him - and that boy wakes me up from a deep sleep with his gas when I do!
This is a great resource for Raw Feeding Newbies, but once you've gotten your feet wet, it is important to understand that there are MANY sources for quality meat in the SF Bay area and this Co-op doesn't necessarily have the best prices. (I know for a fact that some of their mark up percentages are WAY above standard retail. Yes, this co-op thing can be a profitable business.)
I look back on my years with SFRaw a bit wistfully, as I too was once enamored.
While I haven't ventured to buy bulk through the club yet (mostly due to limited freezer space), I have found this forum to be an extremely helpful and supportive group of very knowledgable folks. I have learned so much and have received great encouragement and advice along the way.
We're so lucky to live in the Bay Area, close to so many sustainable farms/suppliers. Hooray to Kasie and the army of volunteers for establishing/maintaining relationships with these wonderful resources and for keeping us all forging ahead with better care for our animals!
SFRAW and Kasie came to our rescue 7 years ago when my dog was really sick as a puppy. We couldn't figure out what he was allergic to (and we're still not sure) but it was definitely something in processed dog food. Since we started feeding raw, at Kasie's suggestion and under her guidance, he has been totally healthy with no allergies. SFRAW provides a way to purchase sustainably farmed and harvested meat from local vendors, at very competitive prices. I could not afford to feed my dog raw (and feed myself some very high-grade meat) without SFRAW and the connections Kasie has made with the vendors. This is a wonderful service SFRAW and Kasie provide.
SFRAW FEEDER , what a nice group Kasie build up for us!!! Thank you!
It is not only selling raw meat, I can get Holistic information from there, Home made food recipe,dog park information....I really love this group!
Are you still feeding nasty commercial dog food? Come to join us !!
I really recomend if you consider to feed raw meat for your pets.
Very good meat source and RAW pet health info.
OK,
I raw feed my dog. A lot of people think it's nuts...I think it's the best way I can guarantee his health, happiness and long life. Plus I've got the time (it's a bit of a hassle) and the money (it's actually not much more expensive than the Ultra High End Kibbles).
I'm not going to get into the mechanics of raw feeding, or any type of advocacy as to whether you should. A lot of the people I've come across are fanatical and evangelical about it: unless you're feeding your pet the way they do you are abusing him/her. I've known dogs that have thrived on canned ALPO. Feed your dog however you want, but if you encounter health problems look into diet.
So anyway, now that we've established I raw feed is where the Co-op comes into play. From the website: Every month we purchase a wide variety of human-grade, antibiotic/hormone-free, grass-fed/pastured meat, bones, pastured eggs, informative books and whole food supplements at near wholesale prices and in volume/case amounts. As much as is possible, we only buy from local family farms that practice humane-farming or ethical, pastured farming methods. We will not support factory-farming to save money.
So every couple of months I order a couple of hundred pounds of frozen food to ensure that my dog eats better than I do. You order online about a month in advance and then on delivery day go to a members garage (in the marina) and pick up your food. It's just great.
There is a volunteer requirement but it's in no way onerous. Also, the message board associated with it is an invaluable resource for raw feeders or those considering feeding raw.
Wish I could give a 6th star...sfraw is awesome. And the woman who organizes it puts a tremendous amount of time and effort into it and incredibly knowledgeable about raw feeding and holistic/naturpathic treatments (both humane and canine...probably feline as well but I don't dig cats) she's way cool and I almost never think that about vegans. :)
SF Raw Feeders- a lovely group of people who all care about the same things: nutritious, sustainable, organic, varied diets for our beloved pets. I was dragged into the process by my poodle breeder, who insisted I feed this way in order to purchase a puppy. I admit reluctance- even dread, but now- I owe her a big debt of gratitude. My dogs are beautiful, healthy and thriving on this diet. And Kasie- the sweetest, funniest, most well informed dog fanatic to roam the earth. Thank you SF Raw Feeders!
Does it look like I eat kibble? Puh-leeze.
I volunteer more than the required once per year shift because of the discount and because I love seeing how many other people who feed their pets raw food. Kasie does an incredible job of keeping us organized, well-fed, and educated. I swear, my dog eats better than I do! She only gets grass-fed (mostly), organic meat and bones and fun animals parts like gullets and chicken feet. Katie loves it and I get giddy just feeding her all these goodies. I do what's best for her and SFRaw is the best way to accomplish our goal of feeding our pets well!
Great co-op! I just wish parking on pick-up days wasn't such a bitch!
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