We are a student run store on campus selling organic food and produce to students and the wider community. We are open during uni semester from 9am-5pm weekdays.
We are a not-for-profit co-operative, which means that if you become a member you receive a discount on products. Learn how to become a member.
We are always looking for volunteers, if you would like to know more about volunteering click here.
The cooperative business model aims to provide a service without the main objective being profits. The official definition is an ‘autonomous association of people who come together voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspiration through a jointly-owned and democratically controlled enterprise’. It relies on members/volunteers participating in the running of the organisation, that is, having a say – making sure criticism is constructive and helping resolve any problems that arise. Co-ops also use capital or funds for mutually rather than individual benefit. While its activities may be commercial, a co-op exists primarily to serve the needs of its members and community, rather than investing capital or making money. In other words, a co-op is its members. Co-ops are also based values including things like honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others.
Sydney University Food Co-operative is a non-profit, volunteer run organisation whose aim is to provide affordable, organic, vegan, local food in bulk, and fresh fruit and vegetables for students and staff on campus. Our co-op prefers ethically and environmentally sound products and checks with suppliers about the conditions and methods under which the goods are grown and processed. It provides an opportunity to access our groceries, snacks and treats without having to support big supermarkets.
As much as possible we promote the use of:
- Low-cost ethically-produced and packed wholefoods
- Cruelty free foods
- Vegan foods
- Organic foods
- Genetically modified free foods
Cooperative enterprises are distinctive types of firms that operate within but also offer an alternative to the capitalist market based economy. In that production and consumption is not singularly driven by the profit motive or the accumulation of wealth, rather cooperatives focus on the well-being of the community via ethical consumption and production. The business and operating model emphasises collaboration and democracy and therefore, provides an alternative to the traditional hierarchical structure of a capitalist enterprise. The cooperative model has the effect of redefining work and reward, by moving the emphasis away from monetary gain, ownership and control, thereby, changing the social and economic relationships that underpin the capitalist system.
Cooperatives also encourage people to have a biological and geographical understanding of food and food choices. The distance and number of people food travels between to get to our tables, the vested interest capitalist businesses have in maintaining consumer ignorance around food production and the global nature of the food system, inevitably means that the biographies of the food we eat are rather opaque to us. However, our coop is concerned about where food comes from, who is impacted by the production of food, and what goes into the food we eat. We prioritize principles of transparency, social accountability and consumer sovereignty. Additionally, the underlying principles of organics, veganism and locally sourced food stipulate what kind of products we stock, these categories each on their own question and make visible networks of food.
Weekly fix of organic fruit and vegetables.
Our supplier is Back To Eden Organics and the produce is looking amazing! All produce is sourced fresh from our supplier on Wednesday morning, it is local, fresh and organic. We sell boxes at cost, which means that you are paying wholesale prices!
Produce is seasonal, which means that mixes differ week to week.
Place your order by Tuesday 5pm and it will be available for PICK UP from the Co-op on the same Wednesday. If you place it thereafter, you will receive the box the following week.
Member prices:
Small: $15
Medium: $30
Large: $45
Non-member prices:
Small: $16
Medium: $32
Large: $48
Add Sprouted bread from Pure Life Bakery for $8
Our beautiful fruit and vege boxes
Perfect as a gift or a person treat this Apple and Cardamom chutney comes from the folks at Eat Me who are tackling food wastage by using rejected fruits and vegetables in their preserves!
Pair this chutney with cheeses, deserts, alongside pork or even dhaal
Read about Eat Me here - https://thespiceadventuress.com/2016/11/30/chutney-shenanigans-with-eat-me-chutneys/
Big and strong - a great way for you to carry your fruit and veges from your order. Or just for shopping!
This is a sample list of items that were stocked on 10/08/17 to give you an idea of what we stock. Please note that this does not guarantee current availability.
We sell menstrual cups!
As a co-operative we rely on membership to keep running and in return members get everything discounted and can contribute ideas and requests to the co op. To become a member come in and sign up and you will receive your membership card which gives you 10% off everything in store!! Then if you wish to renew your membership at the start of each year follow the instructions below. This membership also provides you with reciprocal membership to Alfalfa House and UNSW's food co-op, Thoughtful Foods.
Come and check us out, if you like what you see you can join as a member on the spot!
Fill out the renewal form and add your membership to your cart. Once you have checked out you will be a member again!
Our volunteers spend two hours a week managing the store. This involves serving customers, cleaning, organising stock and having fun!
Volunteers receive discounts and come along to sponsored dinners and events through the semester.
It's a great way to meet people outside your degree on Campus and make friends!
If you would like to volunteer, fill in your details including when you are available to volunteer and we'll be in touch to organise a shift!
We are located on Level 4 of the Wentworth Building, on the corner of City Rd and Butlin Ave, Camperdown.
The easiest way to find us is to enter from City Road near the footbridge, climb the stairs up to Level 3, and walk up the stairs next to the Commonwealth Bank.
When the market is on at Eastern Avenue fortnightly on Wednesdays, you can also find our stall there!
Phone: (02) 9563 6059
Email: usydfoodcoop@gmail.com