As a solo retreatant, you have two options:
You can bring your own groceries. The yurt, bell tents, and tent lodgers will have access to common facilities to cook or heat meals. The apartments have their own kitchens.
You can participate in the community food program. A variety of food is available in the main house (vegetables, meat, plant based protein, bread, eggs, snacks, etc), in which people take turns cooking and cleaning dishes. When participating in the community food program, you will be expected to give Dana (Pali word for generosity), in the form of a financial donation, or a food donation (or a mix of both). As a guideline, we consider the food cost for retreatants to be 20 USD per day.
There are many grocery options in Tucson. Coming from the West (Tucson direction) the nearest large supermarket is Safeway in Benson, AZ. Coming from the East (New Mexico direction) the nearest large market is Safeway in Willcox, AZ. There is also a small local market in Cochise called Produce Wagon which is the closest market to Cochise Stronghold Retreat.
If you have arranged a ride though us from Tucson to the Stronghold, your driver will be able to meet you at a market of your choice on your way in to start off your retreat.
Once a week, retreatants can provide funds and lists for their groceries to be purchased locally or in Tucson.
Those who stay in the Casita Manzanita, in the Agave suite and in Allegra’s have their own kitchen. Everyone staying on the property has access to the main kitchen and the cook shack. Both the main kitchen and cook shack are fully equipped kitchens with general supplies like spices and oils. Refrigetators, freezers and dry storage spaces are also available for your groceries.
Those who use the Cook Shack are asked be mindful and maintain noble silence, respecting other meditators who may share the space. When cooking in common areas, cleaning up after yourself is essential. Users show consideration for others by being even neater than “normal” when using community spaces.
For times when the Cook Shack is being shared, it is possible to create a meal schedule if you are strictly trying to avoid seeing others in your retreat.