How to Save 50-75% on Organic Groceries with Azure Standard

Would you like to save 50-75% on natural and organic groceries? Find out how to save on groceries with Azure Standard. I’ll show you how!

Azure Standard is one of my favorite go-to online grocery stores to save on natural and organic groceries (seriously, up to 75%!), but it can be kind of intimidating and confusing to get started. Find out everything you need to know about how to save on groceries with Azure Standard, with details on how to get started and what to buy to save big! If you're working on getting your grocery budget under control, you won't miss this!

I routinely find savings of 50 to 75% off the grocery store by ordering from Azure Standard. It’s one of my favorite stores to save on natural and organic groceries, so I always tell people about it. I’m often shocked by how many people don’t know about Azure or don’t order from them yet!

I will admit, it is a different shopping experience than walking into a typical grocery store.

I remember when I first ordered from them, I found it somewhat intimidating and confusing.

That’s why I want to show you everything you need to know to get started on saving big, plus what I buy there to save money on groceries!

What is Azure Standard?

Azure Standard isn’t like some of the other modern online grocery stores we’ve discussed so far.

They’ve been around since 1987, with a mission to raise the standard of healthy food for families across the United States.

You can get an old-school catalog from them, but you can order online too.

Azure has the feel of a co-op, but they are a business that grows, processes, and distributes natural and organic groceries to a growing number of locations across the country.

Ok, how does this work?

When you place an order, a semi-truck will deliver your groceries to a local home or business who hosts your “drop point”.

Deliveries are scheduled on a specific date, about once a month.

Each month, as I step out of the dark night and into the warm light of my drop-point host’s garage, I anticipate not just the pile nourishing groceries I’m about to heave into the back of my car, but also the chance to chat with my fellow frugal & crunchy neighbors.

Plus, I love shopping with Azure because I don’t ever have to wonder how healthy and natural their products are. In their own words, they have a commitment to offering…

“…only the cleanest, organic foods and the safest, earth-friendly products. Absolutely no artificial additives, preservatives, GMOs, refined sugars or bleached flour.”

Person Doing Shopping For Elderly Neighbour

How to get started with Azure Standard

1.  Create a free account on their website.

First head on over to the Azure Standard website (referral link). Click the “New Account” link at the top right of the homepage. It’s free.

Then enter your name, email address, and create a password.

2. Find a Drop Point

Azure has grown like crazy over the past few years. They now have drop points everywhere except in the Northeast. I imagine they’ll get there soon!

They even have drop points in Alaska.

Another advancement from when I first ordered from Azure is their Drop Point Locator tool.

Enter your address to find the drop points nearest to you.

Both open and semi-open drop points will likely pop up. Simply ignore those designations and select the most convenient drop for you.

3. Join a Drop Point

In either case, click the “Request More Info” link for the drop you’ve chosen. Email or call Azure for more info.

They’ll provide you with the name and contact information for your drop point coordinator.

You’ll also get the route number, so you can see the delivery schedule.

You should then get in touch with your drop point coordinator, the wonderful volunteer who hosts your Azure delivery location, who can provide more details about their specific drop point.

You will receive a unique code for your chosen drop point, which you’ll enter when you check out.

4. Place Your Order

You can order your groceries at anytime before your order cut off date. You’ll be sent an email reminder a couple of days before the order cut-off date.

You can add items to your cart and check out at any time before the cutoff.

When you check out, you’ll need to enter the code of your drop point. This will be saved in your account for future orders.

I’ll get into what to buy to save on groceries with Azure below.

5. Pick Up Your Order

One nice thing that has improved with Azure over the years is they now give you a specific delivery date and time.

Your drop point coordinator will give you a call when the truck arrives, and will let you know when your order will be sorted and available to pick up.

Try to be prompt when you pick up your order as a courtesy to the family who hosts your drop point.

Plus, you’ll want to pick up anything perishable right away. Most drop points do not have extra refrigerators or freezers to store your order.

6. An Azure Idiosyncrasy

Azure may run out of a particular item on occasion.

This means even though you’ve ordered it, you may not get it in your delivery.

Azure doesn’t charge until they ship, so you’ll never be charged for those missing products.

Don’t let these idiosyncrasies stop you from trying Azure.

You’ll soon see the grocery savings is well worth it, and these little anomalies add to the charm of the experience.

azure standard natural organic food

What to buy to save on groceries with Azure Standard

I’ve done a lot of grocery price comparisons, and I’ve come up with a simple rule of thumb for what to buy to save on groceries…

Whatever natural and organic groceries Costco doesn’t carry, buy at Azure Standard. 

Sometimes, I break my own rule, though.

I will buy from Azure even if it’s a tad more expensive than Costco because the quality is much better.

Azure has almost any natural food or healthy item you can imagine.

Buying in bulk at Azure is one way to save money.

However, they also have larger-than-the-grocery-store, but not-huge sizes available for great deals, if you don’t have a lot of storage.

(For instance, you can buy a 50-pound bag of beans or a 5-pound bag for slightly more per pound.)

Here’s a sampling of what Azure Standard Carries: 

  • Pantry Staples
  • Beans
  • Boxed, Canned or Frozen Mixes, Meals, and Condiments
  • Cheese, Eggs, & Dairy
  • Meat
  • Nuts and Seeds
  • Oils
  • In-Season Produce
  • Allergy Friendly Alternatives
  • Beverages
  • Supplements and Essential Oils
  • Baby Supplies

Here’s what I buy at Azure: 

One of the questions I get the most from students in my grocery savings course is what do I buy at Azure Standard.

With 9,485 products available, it can be overwhelming!

These are the items I find to give me the best balance of high-quality foods and big grocery savings.

  • In-Season Produce
  • Canned Salmon
  • Brown/Wild Rice
  • Oats
  • Black and Red Beans
  • Lentils and Split Peas
  • Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Raw, Fermented Foods
  • Whole Frozen Free Range Chicken
  • Pastured Butter
  • Cornmeal
  • Arrowroot Powder
  • Tapioca Flour
  • Laundry Soap
  • Condiments and Spices

How to Get Free Shipping

It is easy to get free shipping when you buy from Azure.

Just keep in mind you will need to pick up your delivery at the drop point. It won’t be delivered to your home.

Simply order at least $50 of products. If you order less, you’ll be charged a $5 fee.

There’s no membership fee, and you do not have to order every month.

Stock up on what you need at one time to tip you over the $50 mark, and then wait a couple months if necessary to place your next order.

Some drop point coordinators request a small fee when you pick up your order.

This has only been the case at one out of the three drop points I’ve joined.

I could see the host worked for hours each delivery day to sort everything out at that bustling drop point, so I felt the fee was reasonable.

They also ship non-perishable items through UPS. Of course, you do have to pay for shipping in this case.

Get Started With Azure Standard

While the unconventional shopping experience at Azure is different than the grocery store, or even other online grocery stores, it remains one of my favorite discoveries in my grocery savings journey.

Not only do I routinely find big grocery savings, but I also love the community feel and the chance to chat with my neighbors once a month.

If you haven’t ordered from Azure Standard yet, I encourage you to try it soon!

shannon Clark, LIFE & FINANCIAL Coach

As a mom, I know what it's like to feel exhausted, overwhelmed by life, and inadequate to meet my children's needs. But I also know you don't have to stay there.

As an author and coach, I've had the joy of encouraging more than 9.1 million moms to find forward motion with their faith, family, and finances — without the frenzy.

Will you be next?