The Country Valley Story
Country Valley processes milk, yoghurt and cream on the Fairley family farm in Picton, 90 kms from Manly. In 2018 the Manly Food Co-op introduced Country Valley bulk milk into the store. The milk arrives into the Co-op in re-usable metal churns and is available for...
We heart hemp seeds
Do you know much about hemp seeds? You’ve probably heard of the environmental benefits of hemp when used for clothing and textiles, and maybe even the concrete replacement hempcrete, but did you also know that hemp seeds are a nutritional powerhouse? Long...We Are Hiring
We are hiring a new Shop Manager! If you’ve shopped at the Co-op you’ll have an idea of what we’re looking for but the detailed job description is below. This role can be offered part or full time, depending on the applicant. The role would be ideal...
Re-usable Coffee Cups and Covid
Re-usable coffee cups were an unforeseen Covid casualty with many cafés not accepting their use. Initial concerns over sanitisation safety were the main reason, and this is understandable. As we’ve all made our way through this new normal, many cafés have...
Homemade Vegetarian Mincemeat
Ingredients 500g Granny Smith apples 200g deodorised coconut oil 350g raisins 250g sultanas 250g currants 350g Rapadura sugar zest (chopped) and juice of three large oranges zest of two lemons 75g coarsely chopped almonds (optional) 1 tsp ground allspice 1 tsp ground...
Christmas Gift Ideas
Christmas gift ideas can be tricky at the best of times, but especially if you’re: a) on a budgetb) trying to be planet friendly Our clever staff and volunteers have been busy making up a super selection of Christmas gift ideas to cover a range of budgets. Pop...
Cinnamon Infused Pearl Barley Salad
Cinnamon is the perfect festive ingredient, ideal for both savoury and sweet recipes. This simple pearl barley salad is vegan and all the ingredients are available at your Co-op. Pearl barley has a chewy and nutty flavour and keeps well for a few days so it’s...
Quick Pickled Cabbage
Pickled cabbage is a fridge staple in our house. It’s an easy condiment to add colour and flavour to a dish. This simple recipe can be made ahead and will last at least a couple of weeks. It’s perfect if you bought a red cabbage for something else and have...
Tahini: The Lowdown
Hulled tahini is traditionally made by soaking sesame seeds, pounding and then soaking again to separate the bran from the kernels, which are roasted and ground. Unhulled tahini, made from the whole seed, is darker and stronger but it contains more...
Walnut Miso Broth (Serves 4)
Adapted from an Anna Jones recipe, this simple miso broth is both regenerative and full of flavour. The killer twist of it is the walnut miso paste. The umami flavours of miso and the crunch of walnuts completely transform this dish into a bowl of satisfying flavour....
Umeboshi Plums and a Japanese Snack
Have you heard of Umeboshi plums? One of our members recently wrote to comment that, “Your Ume plum is the best in Manly!! Thank you for providing us the healthy Japanese products.” Along with the comment Mayumi shared a traditional recipe for a cleansing...
How To Wear and Care for Your Mask
We actively encourage the use of masks when you shop at Manly Food Co-op. Like most grocery stores, it’s very hard to socially distance when shopping at your Co-op. Wearing a mask adds an extra element of safety for everyone. As a zero waste advocate we also...
A COVID Safe Co-op
Your Co-op has come a long way since declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic on March 11th, 2020. After initially closing to set up an online order system, we have gradually opened up the shop. We are now operating near normal, and it’s easy to forget how far...
Tips for a Plastic Free Life
These tips are designed to go hand in hand with our recent posts about Plastic Free July that you can find here and here. Going plastic free is a journey, and we can all use a few handy tips now and then to help us through. Shopping Tips Get into the habit of shopping...
Plastic Free Entertaining Ideas
Plastic free entertaining sometimes feels like an impossible ideal. If you google party or celebration you will be confronted with a sea of photos that almost exclusively include plastic. Plastic balloons, plastic streamers, plastic cups and plates and more. And for...Celebrating All The Things (Covid-style)
It might not feel a lot like a time for celebrating at the moment. And indeed it is not for a lot of people. But we feel like it’s important to acknowledge all that we’ve been through in the past four months. Every single one of us has dealt with curve...Plastic Free July 2020 – Pick One Thing
The way I figure it, everyone is on a plastic free journey of some sort. We live in a community where we have an amazing local co-op stocking our favourite plastic free groceries. Not everyone has this luxury. The important thing for us at the Manly Co-op is to make a...
Tomatoes Three Ways
Tomatoes, what a fabulous backdrop for almost anything! So many colours (if talking heirloom tomatoes) and even more ways to complement their flavour. Try any of the following combinations for bringing out the best in these little red jewels. Any size or colour. You...
Simple Meat Free Chilli
This simple meat free chilli recipe will have even the biggest mince-meat fans tricked into thinking they’re eating a meaty chilli dish. The first time I made this was for my 10 and 12 year old niece and nephew. I served the chilli with tacos and all the...
Dairy Free Smoothie Recipes
Dairy free doesn’t mean you have to give up on flavour! With all the fruits and flavours in the world to choose from, I’m going to be ruled by rainbows. Here are some smoothie recipes that differ to traditional smoothies which often feature dairy. Using Ulu Hye nut...
Shiitake Risotto Recipe
Shiitake Risotto Ingredients 3 tablespoons olive oil1 tablespoon sesame oil3/4 cup brown onion, diced2 cloves garlic, minced3 tablespoons sesame seeds (black or white is fine)2 cups arborio rice or medium grain brown rice2/3 cup rice wine6 cups stock, warmed50g dried...
Coco Nana Chia Pots
Coco nana chia pots are one of Zing Fresh’s most popular dessert canapés. Ingredients for Chia Pots 1 cup coconut milk (can use cow, almond, oat etc etc milk)1/4 cup / 50 g white chia seeds1 banana (medium ripeness so yellow not brown or green) Options: when...
Coconut Oil and Cacao Bliss Recipe
Coconut oil is one of the most versatile ingredients you can include in your pantry. This simple recipe will please those with a sweet tooth especially! Melt one cup coconut oil, half a cup of maple syrup, half a cup of raw cacao powder and half a cup of peanut...
Eggplant salad with Chickpeas and Goats Cheese
A healthy eggplant salad is a great way to get into Veganuary. Did you know that eggplants (also known as aubergines or brindal) are botanically known as a fruit and not a vegetable? They’re also a great source of dietary fibre and low in...
Ancient Grains Salad
Ancient grains describe grains that have been relatively unadulterated over the millennia. Unlike grains like corn and wheat that have been selectively bred over time. Many ancient grains originate from parts of the Middle East. At the Co-Op we stock two particular...
Local Medley Leaf Salad with Sweet Potato
The Local Medley Leaf Salad from Sprout Stack has a taste kick that’s hard to believe. This simple salad combo adds substance with sweet potato and avocado for a light yet hearty salad option. Sprout Stack have combined pea tendrils, crisp lettuce, baby kale and...
Have a Very Eco Christmas
What is an eco Christmas? And how do you go about creating your own eco Christmas? Did you know that Christmas is THE most wasteful time of year? Workers at Kimbriki, our landfill site on the Northern Beaches, dread Christmas. The additional waste generated...
Gift Ideas for an Earth Friendly Christmas
Gift ideas can be a struggle for anyone living a busy life and juggling 101 different tasks in the lead up towards Christmas. We’re here to help you live a zero waste lifestyle, including at Christmas. When it comes to thinking about Christmas gifts,...