The True Food Co-op is a community enterprise, run by a small staff and many volunteers, that now has 110 members.  We obtain organic fruit & veg, bread, wholefoods, groceries and eco-friendly household products from local, regional and national suppliers, many of whom are also independents and co-operatives.  Anyone may shop with True Food Co-op.

Markets are held on four weekday evenings at popular community venues around Reading, and we have a sizable shop open six days in north Reading.  A paid markets manager and a committed team of at least six volunteers variously help set-up each market, provide customer service and support, and pack away at the end.

Co-op customers may buy from a wide selection of fresh produce and wholefood stocks that the co-op retails. Alternatively they may select and order from wholesalers' catalogues which list thousands of lines.  Meat, fish, speciality baked and chilled goods are available to order.  The vast majority of products we sell are certified organic and ecologically sustainable.  Also, a wide range and number of goods stocked are Fairtrade certified.  What we stock, and the social and ethical criteria used to decide what True Food offers, is decided by the Co-op's membership.

Our prices are kept as affordable as possible by minimising the mark-up through buying locally and in bulk quantities where possible.  Costs are also kept low due to the efforts of an array of volunteers from the locality.  Volunteers help us with accounting, book-keeping, community association, Co-op direction, marketing, market operations, membership, publicity, stock-check, website development and updates, volunteer coordination, and a host of other tasks that help maximise community benefits through participation. 

True Food endeavours to build links and support local people that grow their own produce without the use of chemical sprays or fertilisers.  Some simply give us any surplus produce; others barter or are paid for their surplus.  We also support local producers of raw foods, baked goods and artisan products using organic ingredients or recycled materials.

If you have questions when visiting a True Food Co-op market, please don't hesitate to ask staff or volunteers for help.