About the Co-op

We are a not-for-profit food co-op that knows good food. We carry local, fresh, organic, sustainable, natural, Fair Trade, ethical, bulk and affordable products.

Members own the Co-op, share the benefits of it and have the opportunity to work in it. The Co-op is managed with consensus-based decision making and all members are invited to participate. The Co-op employs three part time managers. Members act as volunteer co-ordinators staffing the store, and perform the other tasks required to keep the Co-op operating. Click here for the Co-op’s rules of operation.

 

Everyone is welcome to shop at the Co-op, but members receive a 20% discount if they volunteer 1 hour per month. Membership is individual and charged on a sliding scale according to income. The Membership year starts in July; if you join after then, the membership charge is reduced proportionately.  Membership fees for 2011 are:

$25.00 for members with a low income (less than$20k/yr)
$35.00 for members with a medium income  ($20k to $45k/yr)
$45.00 for members with a high income (more than$45k/yr)

If you’d like to become a member, ask the volunteer at the counter for a form.  New members receive a 20% discount on their first shop at the Co-op.

After that, members will receive a 20% discount if they volunteer for 1 hour per month. There’s also a further 10% discount if you place a bulk order.
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The Co-op stocks a range of goods – both packaged and unpackaged. Packaged goods can be purchased just like at an ordinary shop, and include chips, dairy products and alternatives, noodles, juices, soy milk, canned veggies, and much more.

However, the Co-op’s speciality is unpackaged goods, which are sold in large bulk bins and include chocolate, pasta, flours, grains, pulses, herbs and spices, nuts, cleaning products and much more. The best approach is to come prepared with containers and bags from home, then follow the simple steps below. It may seem daunting at first, but doesn’t take much effort and the volunteer co-ordinators are always on hand to assist.

• Particularly if you are buying from the bulk bins, please wash your hands (either in the kitchen or the toilet behind the yellow door on your left as you come in). Please note that the Co-op is in the process of purchasing “no handling” food grade plastic dispensers which will help us keep everything clean.
• If you didn’t bring a list from home, pick up a notepad and pen from the counter immediately opposite the front door.
• Scout out what you’re after – there are signs and the friendly volunteers and other members will be happy to help you.
• Note the item price and weigh your container. Write down the dollar amoung shown, which will be deducted when the cost of the item is calculated at the checkout. If you are using plastic or paper bags or other light containers you can note the amount- which might be a few cents – or you can consider the few cents a donation to maintaining our Co-op.
• Fill your containers, note the prices and container costs and when you’re ready take it to the checkout.
• If you have an accidental spill, please clean it up. There are rags, brooms, etc in the kitchen you can use. If you’ve spilled a large quantity or the item is an expensive one, please consider making a donation to cover costs – the Co-op has a standardised very low mark-up and is a non profit organisation.

If you forget, or need more containers, there is a bench with used bags, jars, etc, although it can be a bit of a lucky dip.  There are new paper bags available to purchase cheaply.

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There is a price on all individually packaged items and on bulk containers. For non-members, the price is as marked. Members who have contributed two hours of work for a two month period receive a 20% discount.

Bulk orders  receive a 10% discount in addition to the usual discount for member. Member discount is calculated on the total purchase.

For example, for a good marked $10 would normally pay full price ($10), but if the member bulk-ordered the good, it would cost only $9.

For a member with up-to-date work-hours (20% discount), a $10 item would normally cost $8, and if bulk-ordered would cost only $7.20.

Members can request bulk orders over the phone, by email or in person during opening hours.

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The Co-op has an accessibility ramp at the Barry Drive end of the building which may be of assistance to people with restricted mobility/a pram, etc. Children are welcome at the co-op, and there are some sofas and a low table that you’re welcome to use.

The Co-op has a small commercial kitchen which is used for preparing some items for sale and occasional catering.

Click the image below (and then click on that image) to see an enlarged version of the article about the Co-op in the Food & Wine section of the Canberra Times from 2 December 2009:

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