If you want to get the most out of shopping here, talk to the staff. They are what makes this business really excellent. Unless you have a good knowledge of local suppliers, seasonal eating and food sovereignty, trying to eat ethically and affordably can be baffling. I'm no expert - which explains why I was buying zuchinnis at seven dollars a kilo instead of waiting a month for them to go down to three dollars a kilo. Most of the veges here are sourced directly from local suppliers and everything is labelled with information about where it comes from, whether it is organic, sprayed with any chemicals, all that stuff.
If you ask, you can find out what has just come in, what is in season and really cheap, all that kind of stuff - the staff play a big role in the running of the business so they know all this firsthand. They are very, very friendly and passionate about eating good food. The big focus here is fresh fruit and vege, but they also stock meats, pasta, vegetarian products, canned goods, bread, cereal and even some body products. There is also a little cafe in the centre of the store, and a lovely seating area next to the window, with all the sunlight and breeze coming in.
I tend to pick and choose what I like to buy from here - I can't afford to shop only organic, which is why talking to the staff about what is in season helps so much. There are a few special things I can't resist though. The Mylor Bakery bread is the most expensive bread I've ever bought - between eight and eleven dollars a loaf - but it is also the greatest and best bread I've ever eaten. I would recommend the fruit loaf (loaded with heaps of figs, apricots, really moist and spicy) and the olive and pumpkin loaf (so good that eating it with anything else on it is a travesty). read more