High food and gas prices are forcing people to get creative about stretching their budgets. That creativity is fueling a trend that has people saving hundreds of dollars with food buying clubs.

We're not talking about warehouse memberships or online ventures. These clubs involve people in your community using the power of numbers to save money.

Jen Wiggin founded her New Hampshire-area food buying club four years ago. The groceries are delivered to her door by the supplier.

Members place orders, collect money and divide up the groceries for delivery to each participating family.

To make it work, Wiggin had to find a wholesaler willing to take part in the buying club concept.

Associated Buyers International of Barrington, New Hampshire also supplies to grocery stores and restaurants, but about a quarter of its business is now with buying clubs like Wiggin's.

The supplier says his buying club customers save 20 to 25 percent on groceries, but beyond economics, they get high quality food and the club t brings them closer to their community.

The food you get depends on the suppliers willing to work with your club. Some specialize only in organic produce while others offer grocery supplies. Some are limited to meat.

Wiggin says she saves up to $200 a month for her family. Larger families report saving twice as much. And since the groceries come to them, the members also save money on gas.

I did some digging and discovered most of the food buying clubs that work with wholesale grocery suppliers are in the Midwest and on the East Coast.

But I managed to track down some specialty suppliers in Washington state who will deliver large orders of locally-raised and processed meat and produce. The following links will provide you with the information you need to start your own food buying club.

More information:

Thundering Hooves Pasture Finished Meats

Neighborhood Buying Clubs

How to save big money on groceries by starting a food buying club

Eatwild: Buying Clubs