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Fresh organic produce!

The Food Cooperative Shop Ltd.
(02) 62307505
http://foodco-opshop.com.au
food.coop.shop@gmail.com
The Food Cooperative Shop
New Member’s Guide


Welcome to the Food Co-op!
 
In this guide, you will find information on what the Food Co-op is: its history, its structure, and how to get involved.  We rely on our members to support our organisation, work together in running the shop, help with events, and help grow our cooperative so that it can be more sustainable and provide better services into the future. We hope that you’ll feel confident engaging with our space and becoming a part of the Co-op community.
The Food Co-op acknowledges and pays respect to the traditional owners of this land past, present and future.


Our History
The Food Co-operative Shop is the longest running Food Co-operative in Australia. It was started in 1974 by the ANU Nutrition Society and, over the years, it has grown and provided the community with locally sourced, organic, and affordable food produce. 



Structure
We are a not-for-profit, community organisation. We are bound by the Co-operatives ACT and have responsibilities and obligations as an incorporated association. As a co-operative, our members themselves have a say in how we operate, the activities we undertake, the directions we explore, and how to keep the organisation sustainable. Once a year, we hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) that all members can attend to share information, make any constitutional changes that might be required, and elect a new Management Committee (MC). The MC acts as the Board of Directors for the Co-op. They are accountable to members and meet once a fortnight to plan, develop strategies, and respond to any issues arising at the Food Co-op. For more information, check out our ‘Rules of operation’ document in the About Us section of our website:  http://foodco-opshop.com.au/


About the Shop
The Food Co-op Shop is open to everyone. We seek to offer an alternative shopping experience by providing goods which are either organic, local, or package free; in a relaxed, communal atmosphere. You are most welcome to bring any type of bags or containers you have to fill up on our bulk goods. Paper bags and spare containers are also available in store.
We run an organic, fair trade café with lunch from Monday- Friday. We host Acoustic Soup, Word Co-op, and Pedal Powered Cinema, our monthly events featuring the best of local music, food, poetry, and cinema. We also have a library, host community group meetings, hold exhibitions, sell local music, and we are available for event hire.


Membership benefits
When you become a member, you are eligible to participate in democratic processes, and receive discounts for entry into acoustic soup, Food Co-op events and lunches. You will also receive our weekly ‘Fresh In’ email bulletin to hear Food Co-op news, find out about upcoming events, and learn about the delicious produce we have on offer. As a member you also qualify for our 10% bulk order discount and are able to sell approved produce at the Co-op on a consignment basis. Membership also includes on free lunch or coffee from our café. If you are signing up as a member for the first time you are entitled to a 15% discount on your first shop.



Getting Involved
Becoming a member of the Food Co-op guarantees you various benefits; but we aim to be more than just a shop and we encourage you to become an active member of our community. This may include: becoming a volunteer, contributing to our various groups such as The Dirty Beanstalk and our fundraising team, participating in our democracy and decision making processes, bringing in fresh ideas, attending events, making the Co-op your own communal space, and making the Co-op a better place in general.



Volunteering
Volunteering as a member of the Co-op qualifies you for our working member discount and entitles you to voting rights at meetings. To volunteer, speak to a co-ordinator or manager on duty, email food.coop.shop@gmail.com or check out the ‘Get Involved’ section of our website: http://foodco-opshop.com.au/get-involved/.


Access
The Food Co-op is located at 3 Kingsley Street in Acton. We have bike racks out the front and are on the Blue Rapid bus route. Parking is available under the building (off of Kingsley Street) and across Barry Drive on Watson Street.
For more information, feedback, or enquiries, please contact us:
·         email: food.coop.shop@gmail.com
·         phone: 02 6230 7505
·         facebook: The Food Co-op Shop and Cafe
·         twitter: foodco-opshop.com.au

In Cooperation,
-The Food Co-op Team!


 
Our cooperative relies on all of us chipping in. By volunteering and coming in and shopping, you help us stay strong. We would super appreciate any help you can give - an hour here or there is a huge, huge help! Come by anytime and someone will be there to get you onto a project. (You can sign up on our volunteer roster on the front counter or just show up! There is always something that needs to be done ;)).