The co-op has a wooden Suggestions Box near the breads for members to suggest new products or comment on any aspect of the co-op. A number of them are occasionally featured in the co-op's eNews. Here are the ones we've publsihed so far.

Melrose Organic Worcestershire Sauce (Dec 2006)
REPLY We've checked it out and ordered it for Tuesday December 19 and assuming our supplier has it in stock, it'll be on the shelves.
Nimbin Organic Block Yellow Non-Rennet Cheese (Dec 2006)
REPLY We stock Highland hard (yellow) cheese. It's organic and contains vegetable rennet.
Organic Corn Flakes in bulk or even a box (Dec 2006)
REPLY We've asked various suppliers, and none are interested in producing a local version of the classic brekkie cereal. Importing cereal boxes from the USA is stretching the sustainability principle a bit.
Cranberry Juice (Mar-Apr 2007)
REPLY We haven’t yet found a juice that’s 100% juice and organic. We’ll keep on searching.
Taheebo (good for infections and lowering blood sugar levels)(Mar-Apr 2007)
REPLY We discontinued this herb some time ago as it wasn’t selling. However, members can order bulk quantities (min. 100g) of herbs and spices, including ones we don’t stock.
Dandelion leaf (Mar-Apr 2007)
REPLY We hope to stock this soon.
Tissues (Mar-Apr 2007)
REPLY We’ve decided not to stock tissues and instead encourage hankies.
Paprika (Mar-Apr 2007)
REPLY It’s been hard to find an organic source, but we’ll keep on it. Now in stock (May 2007).
Koji (a starter for making amazake, a fermented rice sweetener) (Mar-Apr 2007).
REPLY Looking into it.
Could the co-op email a list of what seeds to plant in the month? (Mar-Apr 2007)
REPLY Just go off what’s on the shelves. What we have in stock at any one time is right for the current season.
Bring back Nutrisoy tofu (May 2007)
REPLY We’ve discontinued Nutrisoy tofu in favour of Earnest Bean tofu. While it is more expensive, Earnest Bean tofu is unpasteurised and of a higher quality. We are supporting a small business, which expects that as its tofu gains in popularity, the price will drop. If members prefer Nutrisoy tofu, they can order it as individuals. If they place their orders by 5pm Monday, they will be ready for pickup Wednesday afternoon.
Chocolate-coated coffee beans (May 2007)
REPLY Now in stock.
Chickpea miso (May 2007)
REPLY We would if we could. Domestic chickpeas are in short supply due to the drought and our supplier doesn’t want to import chickpeas and is concentrating on other types of miso.
Aluminium-free, chemical-free deodorant in bulk (May 2007)
REPLY We currently stock the rock crystal, which lasts a number of years. However, if the shopper who left this suggestion knows of a source of bulk deodorant could they let us know.
Hijiki (seaweed) (May 2007)
REPLY It’s only available in 200g packets. Members can order this item as individuals.
Blueberry leaves (May 2007)
REPLY We’re talking to suppliers.
Soap flakes instead of soap powder (May 2007)
REPLY Excellent suggestion. You’re right, the powder does get up your nose. We are looking at an alternative.
Puffed wheat (May 2007)
REPLY This product hasn’t been in stock for about 12 months. We’ve only had a couple of requests for it, and space is limited. Multigrain and spelt puffs are close alternatives.
Melrose shampoo and conditioner (May 2007)
REPLY Quite a number of shoppers have wanted these back. So they are now.
There’s a rumour that we’ll be discontinuing the apple and pear juice concentrates. (May 2007)
REPLY Not so. They’re staying.
Gluten-free fettucini in a flat storage box – it’s hard to get out of the bin (Aug 2007)
REPLY Great suggestion. They’ll be in a flat box by the end of August.
Lemon verbena (Aug 2007)
REPLY It’s just arrived at our supplier. Thanks for jogging our memories. We should have it in by the end of the month.
Low-salt products, eg, vegetable stock cubes and breads (Aug 2007)
REPLY Marigold makes a low-salt veg cube, which we’ll have in on trial by the end of the month. As for the breads, we’re asking our bakers to supply nutrition panels for their unpackaged breads and we’ll investigate lower-salt varieties.
Alpine-brand Quark (Aug 2007)
REPLY Our supplier tells us that Alpine quark is made from Highland milk shipped from NSW to
Victoria, turned into quark and then shipped back. Our supplier doesn’t want to contribute to the “food” miles and neither do we. We have stocked quark in the past, but it didn’t sell well and often went to cost price. However, we’ll trial a 250g Mungalli Creek quark. Mind you, it comes all the way from Far North Queensland. Please tell us what you think.
Mukti deodorant (Aug 2007)
REPLY It’s been a very slow seller. However, members can make a personal order if they wish.
Green tea concentrate and stevia concentrate (Sep 2007)
REPLY Both are currently not available in bulk, are packaged in plastic and imported. We restrict supplements to bulk only, partly because of limited shelf space.
Dried powdered wild yam and bentonite clay (Sep 2007)
REPLY We can get the wild yam. Members can make a personal order and we’ll powder it for them. We’ll investigate bentonite clay.
Organic black turtle beans (Sep 2007)
REPLY We’ll investigate.
Organic sprouting sunflower seeds (Sep 2007)
REPLY They haven’t been available for eight months, but as soon as they are we’ll have them.
Cleopatra’s cream (Sep 2007)
REPLY As the supply of Cleo’s milk increases (as the weather warms), more will be available for other products. They’re planning cheese next, perhaps cream will follow. We’ll let you know.
Asafoetida (spice used in Indian cuisine). (Sep 2007)
REPLY A chemical-free version is now in stock.
Facial clays (red, yellow, pink etc) (Sep 2007)
REPLY We’ll look into it (no pun intended).
Fancy Pantz decorative jars (Sep 2007)
REPLY We checked out the website. However, the ones we saw were pretty impractical and they are imported. Our current jars are locally made and we think they do the trick.
Genmai tea (Jan 2008)
REPLY It’s not available in bulk and nor is it organic. When we last stocked it it was a slow seller. Members can, however, make a personal order; it’s available in 100g packs.
Organic skim milk powder (Jan 2008)
REPLY We haven’t seen it on supplier lists. Does anyone have a source?
Melrose hand soap tends to clog drains and clogs the plastic dispensing pumps. Other brands seems better, e.g., Envirocare doesn’t clog drains. (Jan 2008)
REPLY Good to hear. We’ve had similar reports from other shoppers. However, Envirocare is US-made and distributed from Western Australia and isn’t in bulk. We'll looking into a locally-made or distributed Australian-made, bulk alternative.
Organic quark (Jan 2008)
REPLY Paris Creek organic quark is back in stock for the moment. We’ve experienced some difficulties with this product. Sales are sporadic: we stock it, it doesn’t sell well, a lot goes to cost price, we discontinue it. We suspect it’s not popular because shoppers don’t know what it is and what to do with it. (Quark is a type of fresh cheese of Central European origin, traditionally made without rennet. It is soft, white and un-aged; it is not the same as cream cheese, cottage cheese or ricotta. It is often used in sandwiches, salads, and cheesecakes.)
Peanut oil in bulk (Jan 2008)
REPLY Now in stock.
Date and coconut rolls (Jan 2008)
REPLY They’re back.
Linden flowers (Jan 2008)
REPLY We‘ve ordered them.
Planting posters (Jan 2008)
REPLY Now in stock. We also have the 2008 Astrological Moon Planting Calendar poster (at right).
Bran straws (Jan 2008)
REPLY Not available organically as far as we know. Due to processing and the length of time between processing and consumption, the bran’s essential fatty acids would have oxidised and could very well be rancid. An alternative would be psyllium husks or linseeds (grind in a coffee grinder).
All the sliced bread appears to be wheat-based. Could you source some spelt or non-wheat sliced bread? (Jan 2008)
REPLY We stock a number of non-wheat sliced breads. Naturis (delivered Thursdays) makes spelt, rice and buckwheat loaves and the Dovedale breads (delivered Fridays) are either gluten-free, wheat-free or low wheat.
Loose Cockroach Lo-line tablets (Jan 2008)
REPLY We’ll check with our supplier to see if the tablets are available singularly.
Some shading for the fruit on the window display to prevent the intense afternoon sun affecting the produce. (Jan 2008)
REPLY A good suggestion, which we’ll investigate. Meantime, we're placing the less vulnerable fruit closest to the door.