Our Story

Built by community, for community

What started as a simple idea of sharing bulk food to reduce waste has grown into a thriving, volunteer-run Co-op that connects local producers with local households. Everything we do is powered by people, not profit.

Group of people volunteering at the Bright Food Co-op, organising and packing food items, with several jars and boxes on the tables.

A woman in a yellow shirt is serving a man in a white shirt, inside the Bright Food Co-op.

How it started

The Bright Food Co-op was founded in 2020 by a small group of locals who wanted to buy bulk dry goods together. Their goal was to reduce packaging, share costs, and support more sustainable living. Operations officially began in 2021, when the team at Dumu Café (which has since closed) invited the group to share part of their space. This gave the Co-op its first home and helped it connect with the wider Bright community.

A volunteer in a patterned blouse and gray skirt receiving a box from another volunteer in a blue shirt and apron at the Bright Coop entrance

Growing through community

With the help of volunteers and a few well-timed grants, the Co-op has grown steadily. It now operates from a rent-free space at Bright P-12 College and continues to run entirely on community effort. No one profits financially — the benefits go straight back to the people and producers who make it work.

Julie from Lomandra Farm handling fresh greens over a plastic container, in an indoor setting with various supplies on a table.

Connecting people through food

The Co-op uses the Open Food Network to connect local growers and makers with the community through a shared, transparent platform. This open-source system helps us coordinate orders and bring small producers together in one place, making it easier for households to access local, seasonal food.

A person tending to plants or flowers in a garden on a sunny day with sunlight filtering through trees in the background.

How we choose what we stock

We focus on stocking food that is either chemical free or grown using regenerative practices.

By supporting producers who actively care for the soil, the environment, and the people they feed, we are helping build a food system that is better for everyone. It supports healthy communities and contributes to the long-term care of the land.

Connected to a national movement

We are proud members of the Co-op Federation, the national body that represents and supports co-operatives across Australia. Being part of this network gives us access to guidance, training, advocacy and the chance to connect with other co-ops. It helps us share knowledge, strengthen our practices and uphold the values of community ownership and collaboration.