The Organic movement here in Australia started off strong last year with many Australians starting to buy or at least question where their food comes from and what was used in the harvesting or production of it. Supermarkets adopted small organic sections, mainly of fruit and vegetables and some meats and of course there was the requisite premium attached to these items. And just as Australians, and the world, seemed to become more interested in Organic items, then the economy bottomed out thanks to a series of most unfortunate events and we were left wondering how we could afford to eat organically in a cost effective manner.
Inside Alfalfa House
Variety of produce
One way I heard of was through Food Co-ops, several of which are found around Sydney. These are usually non profit operations that pool their resources in order to gain buying power and pass on the bulk savings onto customers. They usually entail serving yourself from large containers, bringing your own packaging and are staffed by a combination of full time paid workers and volunteers.
Teas and leaves
Various powders and grains
I’ve driven past Alfalfa House on Enmore Road many a time always meaning to stop but a friend reminded me about them and I knew it was time for an actual visit. Originally borne of a rent strike by one household in Erksineville, the household used the rent money to instead buy bulk non perishables which they sold at a small markup in the front room of their house. It then moved to the Erksineville Anglican Church and then in 1983 it moved to Alpha House in Newtown. It has grown and developed since then into the place it is today.
Italian Dried porcini mushrooms sold by 100g
Tiny, pink, pungent Italian garlic
Chocolate coated goodies including Goji berries
It stocks a surprising number of items in the store and customers are to bring their own packaging although they can avail themselves of the jars (however these are not sterilised so they aren’t really to be used for food). There are all manner of exotic salts (Himalayan salts, Celtic Sea salt, Pink sea salt), dried porcini mushrooms, breads (including Sonoma bread), freshly ground nut butters (cashew and peanut), oils, cheeses, milk (including a Milk Bath), yogurt, fruit, vegetables, rices, flours, laundry and dishwashing liquids-even Organic dried rose petals and exotic items such as Rapadura Evaporated Columbian Cane sugar.
The find of the day: Organic Vanilla Beans
The range is extensive and in some cases the prices are much more reasonable than a regular supermarket. In fact the best find I made was whole Organic Vanilla beans (from Mexico, some say these to be the best) for a tiny 62 each! I was initially wary, as Vanilla beans usually are $6 each, but when I unscrewed the jar, the heady perfume of vanilla enveloped the shop and caused two girls to sniff the air and enquire about that “amazingly sweet smell”. I wanted to buy the whole jar but stopped myself at 10. You use the tongs or scoops to help yourself to the produce and there is a sink with soap and paper towels so you can wash your hands.
Range of breads
All countries of origin are shown on each label and wherever possible, preference is given to local suppliers. I become excited when I see the range of potatoes and I open up my brown paper bag and fill it with some golden hued Dutch Cream Potatoes ($3.50/kg) which are perfect for mash because of their buttery texture and are said to only need a bit of salt. The potatoes are so freshly dug out that they are still moist from the water in the ground. Another reason for buying them here which is like buying direct from the growers, is to avoid the cool storage processes.
There’s a father and his son and we overhear him teaching his son all of the names of the salts and says that he likes his son to know where the food comes from. He’s a long term shopper having shopped here ever since 1988.
Anika, one of the store coordinators explains that whilst there is a voluntary board of directors that meets to make all the financial decisions, she and the rest of the 14 day to day staff are mostly paid with some support from volunteers. It is all non profit and any profits that are made are given back to the community e.g. school events and food grants. She explains that many of the small farms that supply them with fruits and vegetables are too small to supply the huge supermarket chains but because there is no middle man the farmers receive a fairer price for their produce.
She shows me the start of their Permaculture garden in the back where they grow their own fragrant herbs.
Fruit window display
Another way to save whilst buying organic is via their volunteer program which gives each volunteer who works 2 hours in the shop a 25% discount for a single shop or if you want to become a permanent volunteer (you choose which 8 hours a month you want to work), you get a permanent 25% discount off all stock. They’re always looking for volunteers so if you have a spare 2 hours and want to do a big shop there it’s worthwhile helping out. If you’re a member of other Sydney Co-ops such as the Manly Food Co-op, Thoughtful Foods, Sydney uni or Green Tucker store etc you can also get a 10% discount if you show your membership card.
It’s true some things are much more expensive (for example, the Strawberries below) but a surprising number of things are quite reasonable considering they’re Organic. There are also plenty of specials at cost (40% off) to be found.
I leave you with pictures of my purchases, the small Date Cake alas was gone within a matter of seconds (and it was delicious) but I’m still over the moon about my purchases, especially the Organic vanilla beans.
Organic Vanilla Beans from Mexico 62c each
Dutch Cream Potatoes $3.50/kg
Alfalfa House
113 Enmore Road, Enmore NSW 2042
Tel: +61 (02) 9519-3374
Open: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 11am-7pm
Thursday 11am-8pm
Saturday 9am-6pm
Sunday 11am-6pm
Credit Cards accepted with a 2.7% surcharge.
http://www.alfalfahouse.org
Range of fruit and vegetables, some at cost price.
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35 Comments | Add your own
The produce looks lovely. I hope CSA (Community supported agriculture) programs start to become more popular in Australia. I subscribe to one here and the quality is always top notch. Plus you’re supporting a (small) local farm/er which is a huge bonus.
I live in a pretty small community and we have the major national stores for groceries. But we also have a gem, a Food Coop. I love that place. The food is purchased, prepared and sold with a great appreciation for what it is. The money I spend there stays in my locale and not off to some corporate office somewhere in big city America. Thanks for the great post! and for those who think it is too expensive, take a chance and experiment a little you may just find that it isn’t, but it makes a bigger difference!
This is so great. There are a couple of places I know of around Brisbane, but they are much smaller than this place, with not a great range of fresh produce.
62c for vanilla beans! That’s worth the trip in itself
ps) I love the light fitting in the last picture.
This place is great isn’t it? I haven’t been for a while, but must stop in again soon – those vanilla beans are a great find!
Love the pic of the father and son too! Gorgeous!
Hi Lorraine
Do you have to be a member of the co-op to purchase anything? I’ve gone past the store so many times and never remember to stop by
This is a good movement I hope in the entire world the organic products have more diffusion, perhaps to down the prices in order to get really massive impact. When is possible I purchase organic foods. As usual your pics are wonderful Lorraine!
All the best!!
Gera
I could use those vanilla beans this month! I need to find a better source! What aa fun store!
This is such a great idea! My least favorite part about food shopping is all of the wasted packaging! Bring your own is genious.
I love this place, and like Lorraine find it very competitive for a lot of products..I need to get over there more often
ommgg vanilla is sooo chheaappppp!! Wahhhh I must pay a visit haha
Politically correct food – I love it! What a great story and a great looking store, I hope it inspires like-minded people.
Your pictures are fabulous! And the story is great too. I’m glad to see Australia beginning to notice where their food comes from.
This is a great post. We have a similar cooperative store in San Francisco, Rainbow Organics. It’s the best for organic produce, bulk herbs and spices…most customers bring their own bags too. It’s definitely worth it to take a look in these stores, youmight find an unexpected surprise!
I wish we had more co-ops around here. We have a few farmer’s markets, but nothing of any real quality.
I wish they had something like this in Malaysia..unfortunately we just have small organic stores..and some sections in supermarkets…nothing much…and what you can find is ridiculously expensive
Hi Kathy-That would be brilliant if they took off here I agree! And yes like the idea of supporting small farms
Hi Kristen-I agree wholeheartedly. Thanks! It’s a good feeling and good for the pocket too
Hi tara-Perhaps they’ll grow as they become more popular and that would be great!
Hi shez-It is! I had to ask as I thought they’d put the . in the wrong place!
Hi Helen-The Father and son were such a gorgeous team. The boy was munching on a juicy fresh carrot but he moved too fast for the photos!
Hi IllegallyBlonde-No you don’t need to be a member to purchase, anyone can buy although you get a 10% discount if you’re a member of that co-op or another co-op
Hi Gera-Yes that would be great indeed! Thankyou so much and thank you for including me in your top blogs list
Hi Barbara-Yes a good vanilla bean source is a valuable thing. I had so much fun shopping there!
Hi Jessica-It’s great and I didn’t mind at all. There’s always so much wasted packaging!
Hi Reemski-Yes some things are more (the strawberries) but for organic items, I think it’s really quite reasonable!
Hi Ffichiban-Yes do! You might end up with some more things in your basket
Hi queen viv-Thanks! Yes there are many good sides to the PC movement and this is one of them
Hi Carolyn-I think Australia does try hard and I think consumers are getting well educated about it which is really good
Hi lisa-I was really surprised at the range here, it was really extensive and there were items I hadn’t seen anywhere else
Hi Blond Duck-Oh what a pity!
Sorry to hear that!
Hi Alexandra-Yes buying from supermarkets is ok but might not be sustainable cost wise for a lot of people. I hope you get a co-ops soon!
I love this place! And yes I mainly come for the cheap vanilla beans! Since I use them by the truckload in my kitchen, this place saves me so much $$$ – worth the petrol to drive there!
looks like an interesting place – I used to be in food co-ops as a student but don’t get organised enough for such places now – seeing this post makes me wish I did! They are so much more friendly than the supermarket
OMG 62c for vanilla beans! I would have bought so many too!
Do any of your readers know of such similar things in Melbourne by chance? Currently I get my veggies from an organic delivery service – but I would love a bricks and mortar store to browse through.
I am kicking myself for not properly exploring Alfalfa House in all the years that I’ve lived in the area. Thank you so much for your write up, I will definitely visit now!
hmmm i wonder if there’s going to be a constant shortage of vanilla beans from now on!
THANK YOU, MS.LORRAINE~!
I’ve been reading your blog for the past year or so..and this blog entry of yours really enlightened me about what people on other parts of the world do to support organic, small, local farmers!
I personally think that this is a very feasible idea for farmers here in Canada as well.
My final year course is very relevant to this topic.
THANKS AGAIN~!
KEEP the YUMMY entries coming pleasee
what a charming shop!
can you say jackpot? i can.
What a fantastic idea! I wish we could get some of these in the UK! I would gladly volunteer!
Wonderful writing and photos Lorraine. Organic farmers and shops are doing so much to make this world a better and healthier place!
Hi Karen-If you use a lot of vanilla beans have you tried the Queen Vanilla bean paste? I love using that too! Although at 62c it’s easy and economical to use the whole beans (not when they’re $7 each).
Hi Johanna-Yes they are great and as you mentioned very friendly! Which is always nice indeed
Hi Esz-I had to stop myself from buying more
Perhaps someone else in Melbourne might know? 
Hi lili-Wonderful! I’ve driven past so many times too not knowing the goodies that lay within
Hi Helen-Hehe who knows!
Hi K-Wonderful and thankyou for reading!
I think it’s a great idea and one that can be easily set up in any community. As you can see it started off very, very small in the front lounge room of a house 
Thanks and you’re welcome!
Hi reddoorred-I couldn’t agree more!
Hi grace-haha that’s how I felt!
Hi Jorden-I’m amazed that they don’t! I would have thought the UK would be really ahead as you have a big organic movement too
Hi tuulikki-Thanks so much!
What a lovely shop! Here in Israel, and especially in the Tel Aviv area, organic supermarkets have appeared like mushrooms the last few years. I love to shop in them, actually, I shop more in those markets than in normal supermarkets.
Hi yaelin-That’s wonderful! Hehe I like the description of appearing like mushrooms too-very apt!
NQN, I bet you got a big tick from your in-laws for shopping there
Hi Teena-Haha! Yes I probably would I think
3 Trackbacks/Pingbacks
[...] for the Haggis, I made a mash using some organic Dutch Cream potatoes that I got from Alfalfa House which were so creamy that all I needed was the tiniest amount of milk and salt. The Haggis itself [...]
[...] We set about devising an environmentally friendly meal so keeping this in mind, vegetarian was the best option and also would probably give us less food poisoning that eating rawish meat as we’d all prefer not to die in the quest for a meal which I should think it would get us a listing in the Darwin Awards for Stupidest Ways to Die (although would I get a painting in the Food Blogger Hall of Fame for dying in the services of a food blog?). We set about buying locally grown produce to go with the environmental theme so we visited Alfalfa House in Enmore. [...]
[...] in eachBuyer’s tip: If you are in Sydney, inexpensive and good vanilla beans can be bought at Alfalfa House in Enmore (about $1.25 each, no minimum purchase)1. With a small paring knife, slice vanilla beans in half [...]
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