Good food at the right price

Tauranga Community Co-op member Jonny Lim picks and packs his own produce at the co-op’s Judea depot.

They were once considered the realm of hippies, liberals and vegetarians, but the modern-day food co-op is simply about people looking for good, wholesome food at the right price.

Natashia Lucas set up the Tauranga Community Co-op 18 months ago after moving here from Wellington.

'I was part of a co-op there,” says Natashia, 'but couldn't find one when we moved here, so I decided to start one.”

The co-op has accounts with several major suppliers with a focus on organics and local, sustainable produce and goods.

'We buy produce, dry goods, chicken, meat, and household cleaners,” says Natashia. 'The other part of our co-op that is really great is that we support local businesses, and anyone with a fruit tree in their back yard can sell to us, whether you have 2kg or 100kg.”

Some members sell their produce to the co-op in return for credit on their account.

'It becomes a green economy; an exchange rather than buying or selling for those people,” says Natashia.

The co-op depot is located in Judea, with food ordered between Wednesday and Sunday collected by members the following Thursday. A self-packing system operates, allowing members to weigh and pack their own bags and containers if they wish.

'It's really good for sustainability and waste-free living, because you don't take any packaging home,” says Natashia.

For those who can't pack their own, someone will pack for them (earning themselves packing credits), and the co-op is looking to set up hubs in other parts of town, such as Papamoa East, Welcome Bay and Whakamarama, for members to pick up from.

About 60 families currently use the co-op, paying a $20 annual membership fee.

'It's a change in how people shop,” says Natashia. 'It's a culture shift from the convenience of supermarket shopping to a model of pre-planning.”

For people who like to eat organic food, the co-op is a cheaper option than buying from the supermarket and Natashia says there is 'no comparison” between the taste of an organic vegetable and a supermarket vegetable that's been shipped from the USA.

'It's amazing when people first make the switch. I get a buzz every time I hear them say ‘I can't believe how good it is'.

'People use the co-op at different levels. We're at the extreme end and get everything from the co-op. We don't visit the supermarket at all except for nappies and the odd treat such as ice cream.”

Members also join for a variety of reasons, including food allergies and a history of cancer in their families.

'One of our member's husband has cancer and his doctor recommended switching to organics,” says Natashia. 'Not only has she been able to make their diet healthier, she has come into our supportive community.

'There are also people who have been around the block a few times and that's a valuable knowledge base that new people can tap into.”

Natashia says the co-op is run by people, for people.

'We have a playpen and a couch so parents can sit and breastfeed or have a cup of coffee when they come in for a packing session.

'It's become more than just a processing place; it's a community. We came here not knowing anyone and we've built up some really lovely networks of people. It's a happy place to be.”

But she freely admits it doesn't always go smoothly.

'One of the issues with co-ops is you don't always get what you order, which can be tricky if you're doing meal planning to a tee. There has to be some flexibility. It's not online shopping with Countdown.”

The association between co-ops and hippies is one that Natashia agrees is hard to shake.

'The benefits are so great, we really want to make it more mainstream and change the label attached to it. It's for everybody. It's about people who love good food who want to get it for a better price and build a community at the same time.”

Natashia and husband Michael have developed their own software for co-ops, FareShare, after finding similar American software difficult to use.

'We've built a system that looks beautiful and functions really well. Our members don't need a training manual to run it. It's simple and easy to shop.”

Two other Wellington co-ops are currently using FareShare with a public roll-out expected later this year.

If you're interested in joining the co-op or becoming a supplier, visit: www.taurangacoop.co.nz

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