Canberra Food Co-operative Members Shayma Taweel, Andy de Groot, and Lucy Xu. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Established in 1976, The Canberra Food Co-op is Australia’s longest continuously running co-op. In anticipation of their 50th anniversary, a working group has been set up to create a book of memories that will detail the co-op’s history.
Lucy Xu, an ANU student and member of the co-op, is one of the people working on the project. She told Region that the group has split the work into decades, with each member working on a 10-year stretch of history.
“More than just a history piece, it’s also a collaborative celebration by members to share with the community. Some of the people working on this project were co-op members during the decade they’re writing about, so there will be a personal focus as well,” Lucy told Region.
The Chickpea Chronicles – often satirical and humorous – was a newsletter published by the co-op in the 70s and 80s. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
The project was initiated by former Co-op products manager Andy De Groot, who is hoping to involve a broad range of past and present members.
“We have two former managers who now live in France and the NT who have been helping us out … we’re also hoping to contact other key members who have been involved in the past,” he said.
In addition to former board members, managers and regular volunteers, the team is happy to speak with people who might have shopped at the co-op or attended events. They’re hoping to interview people and include personal anecdotes and photos in the book and no stories are too big or small.
The Canberra Food Co-op is looking forward to celebrating 50 years of its community-run bulk food store in 2026. Photo: The Food Co-op/Facebook.
Some of the research they’ve uncovered so far is a fascinating glimpse into the history of Canberra. Old editions of The Chickpea Chronicles – a newsletter written by members in the 70s – include a stock list with a range of ingredients.
“One of the most interesting things was a really diverse miso collection!” Lucy said.
“This is just a few decades after the White Australia policy had ended, and I wouldn’t have thought most people would have even known the word miso! So it just shows how progressive and diverse the co-op has always been.”
Old editions of The Chickpea Chronicles offer a fascinating glimpse into the variety of foods on offer over 40 years ago at the food co-op. Note the abundance of international products like Miso, Umeboshi, Tahini and Mate tea! Photo: Lucy Ridge.
The 70s were a key time for the growth of alternative food movements like permaculture, organics and food co-operatives. Not all have stayed throughout the years, but the Canberra Food Co-op has stood the test of time.
“I think the lasting impact of the Food Co-op is that we’re still relevant; it’s a really good alternative to the current food system,” said Andy.
“One of the things we’d also like this project to do is to show other co-ops and groups what is needed to maintain an organisation like this for so long and to lay the groundwork for other co-ops.”
The book will be launched in 2026 as part of the 50-year celebrations. If you’d like to share your memories or get involved in the project, please get in touch with the Food Co-op History team via the contact form on their website.
The Canberra Food Co-operative is located at 3 Kingsley Street, Canberra. Follow the Co-op on Facebook or Instagram.
Find out more about becoming a member at a new member induction, held from 11 am to 12 pm on the first Saturday of every month.
Lucy Ridge is a volunteer Board Member of the Canberra Food Co-operative.
Loading ...
