Piko Wholefoods Co-operative began trading in March 1979 in a small shop at 225 Kilmore Street. In February 1981 Piko moved to 229 Kilmore Street. The shop aimed to place people before profit.
One of the reasons for starting Piko was to provide an outlet for organically grown produce -vegetables, grains, beans, dried fruits, nuts, herbs and spices. Hans, the co-operative’s full-time worker at the time, grew most of the vegetables on empty sections in the Avon Loop area.