STEP 1 View the infosheet and application form here.

STEP 2 Read the first four pages of the infosheet and If you like what you read, print and complete the application form (page 5 of the PDF). Please remember to sign and date the form and to write CLEARLY, preferably in block letters, and NO PENCILS please. The infosheet covers much of the information on this website but also includes how to shop (because it's not quite like the supermarket!) and where things are in the shop.

STEP 3 You can join when you're next in. It's just $20, in cash or EFTPOS/credit card or money order (payable to Alfalfa House Community Food Co-op Ltd). No personal cheques please. This is a one-off payment and is not refundable.

Your membership usually takes a few days to process, after which a laminated membership card and a receipt will be ready for you to collect from the person on the till. You will be asked to sign for the card. The card will have your name and a number on it, which you use each time you shop. Once the application is processed, your details will be entered in the database and you can start shopping using your membership number. You can shop at the Basic Discount on the day you join. (Every member is entitled to receive the Basic Discount (10%) every time they shop.) Shop and office coordinators are happy to answer any queries you might have.

If you move house, change phone numbers or your email address, leave the details with the person on the till or an office coordinator or email the changes.

While other members of your household may shop on your card and receive the discount and also help volunteer for the extra discount, the person’s name on the membership card is the member. Therefore, if you move house, the rights of membership moves with you and can only apply to those in your current household.

If you lose your card, leave a note with the person on the till or an office coordinator, with your name and membership number, and we'll issue a new one for you to collect at the till.

If you don’t shop for two years in a row, then the co-op is legally obliged to cancel your membership. This is because under the Cooperatives Act, you must maintain some kind of relationship with the co-op, which is called being an ‘active’ member. Being an ‘active’ member of Alfalfa House means shopping at least once a year, which is presumably why you want to join in the first place. As a courtesy, if you haven’t been shopping for 18 months, the co-op will contact you to remind you, so please keep your contact details up-to-date, especially your email address. You can of course suspend your membership (see paragraph above), in which case your time away isn’t counted.

Also if you don't keep the co-op up-to-date with your postal address, after 18 months the Management Committee is also required to cancel your membership.

If you are going away for between 12 months and five years you can let the Management Committee know in writing (click here to email) and your membership can be suspended until you return.

If you do decide to resign, say you move and think it's unlikely you'll continue to shop at the co-op, simply write a short letter addressed to the Management Committee c/o the co-op or or email it (click here). Include your name, membership number and why you’re resigning. However, even if you move away from the area, but think you would more than likely shop in the co-op at least once a year, you may as well hold onto your membership and use it each time you shop at the co-op.

1. to shop and receive discounts at Alfalfa House, Thoughtful Foods (Uni of NSW), Sydney Uni food co-op, UTS food co-op, Manly Food Co-op, Green Tucker at Forestville, and at the Blue Mountains food co-op in Katoomba – discounts are also available at a number of other food co-ops around Australia (just ask);
2. to attend committee meetings and general meetings and take part in decisions about the co-op;
3. to take an active role in running the co-op by joining sub-committees or by undertaking day-to-day tasks in the co-op – talk to an office coordinator or the person on the till;
4. to order food in bulk (in the minimum weight or quantity the co-op buys the product in) and receive a 5% discount on top of any other discount you’re entitled to (If it’s not a regular co-op product, we may still be able to get it for you; bulk ordering is only available to members) To find out more please click here;
5. to receive the co-op's monthly eNews plus any other information regarding special general meetings and the Annual General Meeting.

1. to shop at least once a year;
2. to remember to show your card to the person staffing the till;
3. to clean up any mess you make while shopping and remember any spillages you make cost the co-op money;
4. to refrain from grazing as you shop, because every little nibble adds up – it’s also a health hazard;
5. to be considerate of the person working on the till;
6. to provide your own jars, bottles and bags;
7. to criticise constructively any aspect of the co-op you feel is a problem and be prepared to take part in resolving it.