About Us

What is NOC? The Newport Organic Collective

NOC is a community based, not for profit business, run by exclusively by volunteers – we have no paid personnel. In exchange for contributing our time and a small annual membership fee ($40), we are able to purchase the following:

Weekly organic breads from a local bakery, organic free range eggs direct from the farmer every three weeks, and sustainably grown potatoes direct from the grower every couple of months. During the year we also arrange dry goods bulk purchases of grocery items (e.g. nuts, rice, flour, legumes, oils etc.). From time to time we make bulk purchases of environmentally sustainable items such as ‘Who Gives a Crap’ toilet paper and tissues and have just introduced environmentally and waste free laundry products from The Dirt Company.  We are always looking to add to the range of goods we can source directly from local organic/ethical/sustainable producers for our members.

Members are also able to borrow various items of equipment owned by the membership. These include a food dehydrator.

How it Works

Every week we place a bread order with Crumbs Organic Bakehouse for delivery to a member's house in Newport on Friday morning. Free range organic eggs from Madelain's eggs, ordered every three weeks, are also delivered to the same location on a Friday morning. Members can place a bread order weekly but do not need to order bread or eggs every time. Bread and eggs can be picked up from the delivery location at their convenience on the Friday. 

Benefits of Membership

NOC Community

Get to know your local NOC members and participate in the group as much or as little as you wish. Occasionally we have social functions. The NOC grapevine is a great source of community information about all things organic and related sustainability and local topics.

Sourdough Bread and Organic Free Range Eggs

Bread and eggs (when ordered) are available for pickup on Fridays. Bread orders need to be submitted by the Tuesday prior to delivery (midnight for bread). Eggs orders are currently placed every three weeks. Orders need to be in by Wednesday 4pm for delivery on the Friday.

Equipment for Borrowing

NOC has a food dehydrator which members are able to borrow. You can dry all manner of fruit and vegetables in it and the unit is large so you can do it in bulk. There is no fee for members, however payment of a bond is required. What can I do with a dehydrator?

Organic Dry Goods Bulk Buys

Approximately once per quarter, NOC does a bulk buy of selected dry goods such as flour, oats, nuts, grains, dried fruit and similar products according to demand. Goods are available at wholesale price and quantities vary according to demand. Some of the more popular things such as oats, we can buy in bulk which we then split up into our own containers. Other things will come in packaging.

Delivery Location

Bread and eggs are picked up from a member's house in Newport anytime on Friday after the goods have been delivered.

Requirements of Membership

Members must live in Hobsons Bay. Members are encouraged to contribute to the operation of the Collective by taking at least one of several active roles or be on the Committee. Read about the roles below.

Roles

Order Administrators

Order administrators are responsible for downloading the weekly order tally from the website, advising buyers of the buying budget and initiating payment of invoices.

Dry Goods/Bulk Buy Coordinator

Dry Goods Coordinator is responsible for the periodic ordering of dry goods. They prepare a list of available bulk items and available order quantities, prepare them for sale as products in the website administration area, collate orders and make the bulk purchase. The Coordinator then organises the delivery, sorting and collection point for distribution of goods to members. All members are most welcome and will be called upon to help out with the sorting.

Bread Coordinator

The Bread Coordinator downloads orders from the website each week, liaises with the bakery and forwards invoices to accounts to be paid. Some communication with members is required if there are any discrepancies.