I’ve toyed with the idea of ordering a box of fruit and vege from The Organic Grocer, but never got around to it for various reasons. Having our weekly groceries home delivered would give me spare time and the head space to do other things (oh… like study!) but it also feels very indulgent for two people who are still in between studying and working. I also enjoy zipping over to Harris Farm Markets or my local shops for food stuffs of an evening or through the weekend and do a random shop of whatever is in season. Alas not all the stores I visit have reasonably priced organic produce, and the more I read on the commerical cycle of food I’m begining to want to be more diligent about the kind of food I eat. I don’t know enough about the organics debate yet, to have drawn any final conclusions - but if my tastebuds are to be my guide for now I suppose I’m sick of eating plastic tasting apples and bland vegetables.

This situation brought a round about decision to look for a food co-op close to home or work which I could become involved in. The food co-op I found was is based at the University of Sydney and services students, staff and the local community. It is run soley by volunteers which means the opening times can be sporadic and most of the co-ordination is done via a mailing list. I’m not sure how involved I want to be, so for now I am supporting it by becoming a dedicated buyer of their weekly fruit & vege boxes and free range eggs. They also sell an array of other products; coffee, tea, grains, legumes and very soon organic dark chocolate.

I picked up my first fruit & vege box last Wednesday and was impressed with the quality as well as the ease of getting the basics for the week. The produce comes from Eco-Farms; a certified supplier of organic product and packaged products based in Homebush. The boxes start at $10, which means a larger amount and variety of fruit and vegetables if you go up to larger sized boxes (in $10 increments).

Because it was the first time I was ordering I thought I’d start off with a $10 box to see if it would cater to our two person household. The $10 box is perfect for our day to day needs; enough vegetables for salads for lunch and dinners through the week. When I picked up the box I found a head of broccoli, one ear of corn, leeks, celery, carrots, sweet potato, snow peas, cucumber, tomatoes, and apples. Sure you don’t get to select the contents, but if last weeks box was any indication the selection is spot on for what I’d buy. However I am thinking about going to Eco-Farms on a monthly basis to stock up on things like garlic, ginger, onions and potatoes, which my Mother usually supplies us with when she does her bulk shops of 5kg bags of onions and potatoes.

It isn’t a fancy pants operation. Most of the volunteers are students from the university who seem liked dedicated supporters of “green eating”. You pick up your box from the small shopfront, you can either carry your box as is, or empty it into your own bags. They appreciate extra bags or boxes left for the shop to use during the week as well. It may not be for everyone; but it feels rather nice being part of a “community” rather than giving my money to big companies who sell us par average stock at inflated prices. Plus its a real bonus when you can leave work at quarter to six have your fruit & vege shop done and be home by 6:30 to have a sweet potato and corn soup on the boil before The Cook and The Chef starts.

University of Sydney Food Co-op
Wentworth Building, City Road, University of Sydney (Walk across the bridge and go up the stairs, you will see signs for the co-op)
Orders for fruit and vegetable boxes are made before Tuesday for collection on Wednesday 5pm - 6pm or by appointment
If you would like to know more send an email to the mailing list [usydfoodcoop AT yahoogroups DOT com DOT au]

How can one resist something named Browni - Kakao Soslu Cikolatali Kek when they return to Arzum Market to procure some pashmak for their dear cousin? They cant!

[As soon as I finish an assignment and have a good nights sleep, roast some vegetables, go to lunch and come back I’ll tell you about that food co-op vegie box, the oven “fried” chicken and corn bread muffins I made last weekend.]

I recently joined a food co-op after a spur of the moment google search for local co-ops in Sydney. I have tried shopping locally for organic produce, but have had mixed results when it comes to quality and price. I hope by joining a co-op which is focused on organic produce and goods I’ll be able to access some quality produce without blowing my budget too much.

I’ve just put in my order for a fruit and vegie box which I’ll be picking up tomorrow after work. I’m kinda excited in a food-geek sorta way. Or it could be the prospect of organic dark chocolate in future boxes!

I can’ keep up with everything at the moment. There was a time off from the daily grind on Friday, a sleep over on Saturday and a soul food luncheon Sunday.

And if there is a reason to get white bread instead of a tasty seeded wheat loaf or walnut bread , then the bread better be stamped with my toaster stamper thingo to make my morning just a little brighter.

Good Morning!

Or four steps to recover from a week of wet weather lunches inside.

See, those grey rain clouds reflected on the cupcake container? They have been taunting us Sydney siders all week. Sometimes their threats are real because you leave your house or place of work thinking they are just hanging there looking full and jolly. You think you are safe for the 5 minutes it takes to run up to the bus stop or across to the library, but then they burst with their erratic drops, sometimes small and other times making crater sized marks on the foot path.