We're the cheapest and healthiest place to eat on campus, and we plan on keeping it that way.
Wholefoods is a student-run, not-for-profit, vegan & vegetarian restaurant, cafe & grocery located at Monash University in Clayton.
Established in 1977, we have a long history of providing affordable and healthy food to students, facilitating workshops and social events, and bringing people together to create a community on campus. From our humble beginnings, we have grown into one of the oldest and most well-loved institutions on campus.
Our committed team of Wholefoodians arrives bright and early every morning to cook, bake, chop, mix, smash, dice, and stir to turn our fresh, wholesome, and locally-sourced produce into delicious and healthy meals. All of our food is prepared fresh daily on our premises, and comes garnished with a touch of love.
Our menu is as eclectic as it is delicious! Must-trys include our famous hearty lasagne, our homebrewed soy chai, our special house blend hot chocolate, and our matcha - which is the best matcha in the south-east: guaranteed!
And who could forget about our $3 dahl and rice - the best value lunch you'll find on campus! - which has fed stingy students and frugal academics alike for decades! We also regularly have new and exciting menu items to try, like our sweet and fluffy pancakes or mushroom shepherd’s pie!
Wholefoods is built on community. Since 1977, we've relied on the support and contributions of our patrons, partners and volunteers to make sure we can nourish the community vibe. We are proudly home to the most vibrant and welcoming community on campus!
Volunteers are the lifeblood of Wholefoods, and it's super easy to get started! We serve hundreds of customers every day, so we value anyone who is willing to take on a shift in our restaurant, cafe, general space or on social media.
As a volunteer at Wholefoods, you'll learn valuable hospitality skills. Our training covers safely handling and preparing food, operating a point of sale; and regular workshops on coffee making and baking. You'll be able to practice your communication skills with customers and improve your confidence on the job.
You'll also join a community that values skill-sharing, respect, cooperation; and encourages you to have your say on how the organisation should be run. You'll be involved in our financial discussions and planning, our social media directives, and be able to suggest ways on how we could improve our service.
Volunteer Perks: Volunteers are also rewarded for their contributions. We supply all our volunteers with meal tickets for each hour that they've worked, which can be redeemed for items in our restaurant and cafe, as well as at workshops and events throughout the semester.
How do I sign up?
You'll need to attend an induction session, where we'll give you a brief introduction to our history and how we operate, as well as a tour of our facilities. You'll also be provided with all the necessary information on things you'll need to do before you start your first shift.
These sessions are not a contract! We want volunteering at Wholefoods to be flexible and fun, so if you're just interested in how volunteering works and would like to find out more, you're more than welcome to attend.
Do I need to bring anything to the induction with me?
Nope! Just your smile and yourself.
How long do inductions go for?
Induction sessions typically run for about 45 minutes. Once you have completed one, you won't need to do another (even if you decide not to start volunteering until the following semester!).
Do I need any prior experience to volunteer at Wholefoods?
Nope, nope and nope. You'll get all the necessary training on the job, and people of all backgrounds are encouraged to volunteer.
Can I volunteer to gain work experience?
Absolutely! We can even write you a reference for the time and skills that you've acquired at Wholefoods.
Wholefoods is run almost exclusively by volunteers; and without them we wouldn't be here today. Serving food, running events, and making strategic decisions are all ways to get involved.
Our decision-making body, the Wholefoods Collective, is open to anyone, and functions on a consensus-driven basis - which means that your voice will always count! This allows us to come together and share our ideas, encourage direct participation in our democracy, and create an ethos that genuinely and deeply reflects the interests and values of our community.
Wholefoods is a versatile, unique option for events and catering that prioritises low-cost, low-waste, healthy and organically run functions. Throughout the university semester, our space is home to regular movie screenings, talks, meetups, workshops, art shows, parties, trivia nights, OGMs, cookups, and conversation clubs.
Book our space for your club or group. Seats up to 130 people.
View Capacities & Terms
The healthiest and most affordable catering on campus.
View Catering RulesFree Food Mondays, Open Mics, and vibrant community meetups.
View Upcoming ScheduleJoin us up on Level 1 of the campus centre for the best food, drink, and vibes on campus!
Stephen Mack
Operations Coordinator
Stephen.Mack@monash.edu
Snehithaa Kodavaluru
Staff and Volunteering Coordinator
Snehithaa.Kodavaluru@monash.edu