Become a member

Become a member

Do you want to be part of something special? By becoming a member of the Dungog Wholefood Co-op you will be part owner in our shire’s first and only co-operative grocery shop. It also means you get:

• 10% off all delicious, healthy and sustainable fresh fruit & veggies, bulk dry food products (ie nuts, legumes, grains, spices etc.) cleaning and body care products. Make that 15-20% if you volunteer with us!
• VIP access to cooking & food-saving workshops.
• Opportunities to join our network of local producers, even if you only growing in your backyard!
• Be part of a supportive community of people from all walks of life. We encourage everyone to join, no matter what your politics, religion, etc. All you need to have is a passion for food and care where and who it comes from.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is it to join?

Membership is $35 per year per household.

Is there an option to pay for 6 months?

At this stage, we only offer a 12 month membership.

What do I get for my membership fee?

Dungog Wholefood Co-op is a co-operative business, which means each member owns an equal share in the venture. Your membership also entitles you to:

• 10% discount off the retail price of all items purchased in the store OR 15%-20% off if you volunteer 2-4 hours 
• the opportunity to vote for the board members who will govern the co-op
• a say when it comes to what we stock and how we operate (via feedback surveys and annual general meetings)
• discounted workshops and other events
• be part of an awesome community!

What is required of me?

All you have to do is to pay your membership each year and do some of your shopping with us. But we’d love you to be more involved because this is what it takes for a co-op to truly thrive! You can do this by simply responding to surveys and giving feedback. If you have a bit more time, you can volunteer to help with different aspects of running the co-op. There are lots of ways to support the business – serving members in the shop, helping run special events etc. As a co-operative business, your democratic rights and voice are important to us. This means having your say at our Annual General Meetings, which are normally held in Autumn. 

Can we join as a family or household?
Absolutely! We welcome household memberships. One membership can be used by anyone living at your address.

Where are you and when are you open?
Our shop is located at 152 Dowling Street Dungog and we are open:

• Wednesdays 9.30am-6.30pm
• Thursdays 9.30am-6.30pm
• Fridays 9.30am-6.30pm
• Saturdays 8.30am-1pm

What is special about what you stock?

We are a business that values fair food. This means we care about the impact of food on our health, on producers and on the planet. We are guided by principles of equality for growers, accessibility for consumers and sustainability for the environment. This means we prioritise locally produced food, grown or made within or as close as possible to the Dungog Shire. When there are gaps in what we produce here we prioritise food produced with methods that are equitable for people, paying and treating farmers and workers properly. We also support methods of making and packaging food and goods that avoid or minimise:

• waste of all kinds
• carbon emissions
• animal cruelty
• habitat destruction and biodiversity loss
• the use of chemicals

Our supply team research products thoroughly to make sure they align with these values. Our board oversees these choices to make sure we are being true to our vision. We also do our best to cater for the individual dietary needs of our members by offering gluten, nut and dairy free and vegan alternatives. In addition to our bricks and mortar shop, we run community events and workshops focused on fair food, so keep your eyes open!

Where do the profits go?

We are a non-distributing co-operative registered with Fair Trading NSW. This means any net profits are put back into the business to help it grow. The co-op finances are managed carefully by our board who are working hard to ensure that the co-op remains sustainable and can deliver the best fair food available at accessible prices to our members.

Is there a product list and prices so we can see if the discount is worth it?

We use social media to keep you informed as seasonal produce comes in and specials are offered. As we grow, we will develop tools like online price lists and ordering. 

How do I find out more?
Sign up to our mailing list, like us on Instagram or Facebook or email us at
hello@dungogwholefoodcoop.org.au