We are:

• A co-operative – as a members cooperative, the main purpose of Alfalfa House is to benefit our members. Become a member, and get a 10% discount when you shop; volunteer and get a 20% discount for every 2 hours of volunteering you do!
• Ethical and organic – we sell high quality organic fruit and vegetables (often direct from the farmers), bulk grains and pulses, sourdough bread, eggs from the happiest chickens, eco-friendly cleaning products, ethical pre-packaged products and so much more
• Local – we support local start-ups and inspiring artisan producers, and buy direct from them wherever possible
• Using less plastic, less packaging – bring your own container, and buy the right amount for you

Alfalfa House Objects

The Objects of Alfalfa House are the guiding principles for Alfalfa House. They are a critically important statement of our principles, and can be found in our Rules, Part 2, Rule 1.4.

These are the Objects of Alfalfa House:

1. to provide a retail source of whole foods so that members may have some control over the sources of their food supply;
2. to provide information on and promote the use of i) low-cost, ethically-produced and packaged whole foods, ii) cruelty-free foods, iii) vegetarian foods, iv) vegan foods, v) organic foods and vi) genetically-modified-free foods;
3. to run an ethical, not-for-profit business;
4. to minimise resource wastage and, hence, encourage reuse and recycling
5. to support other cooperatives whose objects are similar or related to the objects of the cooperative; and
6. to stimulate community development, foster community spirit and promote sustainable living.

Safer Spaces Policy

Alfalfa House has always operated with a Safer Spaces Policy in place. This policy covers all members, volunteers and others while at Alfalfa House (113 Enmore Road, Enmore) and at any of its associated activities, but it is not an OHS policy. Alfalfa House encourages all members and those using such spaces to be aware of the meaning of safer spaces and to be active in helping create and maintain such spaces.

‘Safer spaces’ are inclusive and participatory. Alfalfa House seeks to be such a space, as part of an effort toward creating supportive and non-oppressive communities, where people feel safe to be themselves, where people support each other and respect differences and diversity. Alfalfa House understands that while no space can be completely safe for every individual, all members and others using those spaces can strive to make them safer.

Safer spaces require each member to take responsibility for their own behaviour and the behaviour of others, and actively challenge oppressive behaviour and language. All members should strive to be aware of the many forms of discrimination that may perpetuate oppression, including

• sexism
• racism
• ageism
• discrimination against people with different abilities
• heterosexism
• homophobia/queerphobia
• discrimination against sex and gender diverse people
• discrimination against subcultures and minority groups
• classism
• discrimination on the basis of religion, faith or spirituality
• discrimination on the basis of diet and/or lifestyle.

AH seeks to actively challenge these forms of discrimination by encouraging all members to:

1. respect each other’s beliefs, differing points of view and differing states of being in the world
2. respect each other’s physical and emotional boundaries
3. always get explicit consent before crossing another’s boundaries and before making physical contact
4. not talk over others and instead actively allow space for others to participate
5. be aware of language and behaviour and how it affects others in the space
6. be responsible for their own actions and to be open to feedback and to asking for support
7. never make assumptions about how other people identify themselves without asking
8. look out for each other, especially children
9. take responsibility for their own safety and to seek support if needed.

Members and others engaging in unsafe behaviour should exclude themselves from this space and may be asked to leave immediately. If behaviour is exhibited that crosses another’s boundaries or makes another feel uncomfortable, that person is encouraged to speak out, talk to staff, or contact the Co-op Coordinator (coordinator@alfalfahouse.org)