The University of Sydney Food Co-operative is a non-profit, volunteer run organisation, whose aim is to provide organic and sustainable fresh products to our students Many befuddled students wander into the co-op, gaze around in confusion at the barrels and jars on the shelves and ask, "What do you sell?" Basically, we sell cheap food, but it's also much more than that. For the Environment
Organi
c food has been grown without the use of artificial pesticides or herbicides, which may run into waterways and therefore disrupt the natural ecosystem. Bulk food eliminates the use of packaging, meaning less plastic ends up in landfill. Buying locally reduces the amount of energy used in the transport process.
2. For the Community
Wherever possible we buy from small Australian suppliers, instead of exploitative, large, profit-driven companies. If we must buy from overseas, we buy FairTrade, which ensures producers in less developed countries get a fair price for what they grow. We also use the collective resources of the University and its students to achieve the running of our store.
3. For Yourself
Our food co-op is simply the most affordable place to buy organic food, which is most as cheap as non-organic supermarket prices. This is because we run without any overheads, order in bulk, and do not have profit as a goal. This is especially important for those on a student budget. Organic food is packed with more nutrients and tastes better too! It contains no chemicals or artificial anything and is simple pure food the natural way. In comparison, non-organic foods can contain more than 500 food additives! And nothing beats that feeling you get inside from knowing you are buying ethical food and doing a positive thing to help yourself, others and the environment.
