Food Co-ops
Find organic and wholefood food co-operatives and stores in Australia.
Food co-operatives are groups of individuals who have got together to form a co-operative to buy food. This gives them the ability to bulk-buy at wholesale prices, and also to have more control over the food they buy. The food co-operatives featured in this section all aim to buy food that is organic, fairtrade, locally-produced.
Another advantage of bulk-buying is it allows the group to reduce packaging, with members using their own containers to take away their food.
Some food co-operatives have set up stores that are open to non-members as well as members, with members usually receiving a discount.
Food co-operatives have democratic structures giving members a say in what food the co-operative buys, and rely partly or entirely on voluntary work from members.
Many Australian food co-operatives are run by student unions at universities but most are open to non-students as well.
ANU Food Co-op
Organic and wholefood food co-operative based at the ANU. Open to students and non-students.
Armidale Food Co-op
Locally grown seasonal produce, biodynamic flour & grains, dairy, free range pork and local eggs.
Bouddi Organic Food Group
adnova.com.aucoop/?page_id=2Non-profit, community run co-op providing organic and locally grown food.
Fraser Region Organic Group (FROG)
Organic fruit and vegetable boxes, food co-op and delivery.
Happy Bellies
www.clubs.uow.edu.au/websites/happybellies/Welcome.htmlOrganic dry goods, snacks and drinks.
Maple Street Co-operative
www.maplestreetco-op.com.auWholefood co-operative based in Maleny.
Organarchy
www.su.rmit.edu.au/organarchy/index.htmlFood co-operative of RMIT University, Melbourne. Open to students and non-students.
Peninsula Environment Group Food Network
www.peninsulaenvironmentgroup.org/food-network-2Food buying co-op that supports local farmers.