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FRUIT + VEG
GROCERIES
PERSONAL CARE
THE HOME
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We aim to supply ethically and environmentally sound products; were concerned for who produces the goods, und er what conditions and by what methods. Because of the damaging environmental and health effects of conventional food production, we prefer to stock goods produced by organic or biodynamic methods and also by other co-ops. As much as possible we buy Australian produce, preferably grown close to Sydney so as to maximise freshness and minimise transportation. All our organic and biodynamic products, including our fruit+veg, are certified. Sometimes, members bring in excess produce that they've grown organically in their home gardens. These products are clearly labelled un-certified locally-grown organic produce. Certified fruit+veg is always sold off the fruit+veg stand or the front window.
FRUIT AND VEG
All our fruit and vegetables are organically-grown with a seasonal focus, delivered fresh to the co-op Mondays, Wednesdays
and Fri days. Some fruit and veg is farmer-direct, which means the co-op buys directly from the farmer, and is tagged as such. Most of the produce is certified organic, however, some farmer-direct produce is un-certified and is also clearly tagged as such. Alfalfa House has visited each of the farms from whom we buy directly and is satisfied that each un-certified farmer is farming organically. All fresh produce is grown in Australia unless otherwise stated on the price tag. We update what's available in fruit and veg each week. To view the list and specials board, please click here.
Farmer-direct
The co-op is keen to buy more of its supplies of fresh fruit and veg as well as other stock direct from farmers. Dealing direct means fairer and truer prices for farmers and consumers alike and provides farmers with real economic incentives to broaden the range of what they grow. It also gives the co-op a direct influence over quality, seasonal availability and genetic integrity – all of which helps meet the co-op's key objective to provide food over which members have some form of control. Look out for Farmer Direct on price tags.
ETHICS
When the scientific community is divided over the safety of a product or ingredient, the co-op has a policy of not buying that product or ingredient. For instance, we donate stock products that contain sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), the foaming agent in many soaps, shampoos, laundry and dishwashing liquids, and toothpastes. We are also concerned that our products are processed ethically. For instance, up until March 2003, the co-op didn't stock cashews because we could't be certain they were processed without causing injury to the people who work in the processing factories. We now have a supply of organic cashews that have been processed ethically.
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