Squirrelled away behind a row of houses, the legendary not-for-profit Annex co-operative has been going strong since 1972, offering a broad array of organic and conventional foods and groceries. Membership requires a $70 returnable loan, plus an $18 annual fee. Members can work two hours a month in the store or pay 10 per cent more for their purchases. Fresh pro­duce looks beautiful; organic meats come from Rowe Farm, Beretta and Fenwood. Bulk maple syrup, miso and seaweed may be the best bargains in the city. An army of tofu products and various types of hummus are impressive; spices come from Frontier. Ace, ShaSha, Little Stream, St. John’s and Grainfields provide breads; Alternative Grounds and a number of other fair-trade distributors supply most of the coffees.