New bulk food store creates excitement

The arrival of The Source Bulk Foods stores in New Zealand, selling zero-waste, natural foods, should go a long way towards encouraging Kiwis to experiment with raw foods because they can buy as little, or as much, as they like.

Judging by Facebook interest, it’s clear Kiwis want a place where they can bring their bags, bottles and jars to fill up with raw honey or kombucha on-tap, mill their flour and observe the making of their nut butter from roasted nuts.

The Kumeu store already has a Facebook following of more than a thousand West Aucklanders who, judging by the comments, were fizzing with excitement ahead the store’s opening at the end of November

Offering unbranded, unpackaged – bring your bottles and jars – bulk wholefoods and health foods, the Kumeu store is only the second store to open in New Zealand, following the launch of the Milford store, on Auckland’s North Shore in September this year.

Auckland siblings Robert and Andrea Watt brought the franchise to New Zealand from Australia.

“The level of anticipation and excitement has been overwhelming,” says Robert, who is also a Kumeu resident. 

“Customers love to explore different types of food, chat about recipes and then come back for more of what they liked.”

Traditional customer service

Kumeu staff have already undergone training at the Milford store and were selected for their customer services skills and their passion for wholesome food. The Source Bulk Foods, New Zealand operation, aims to restore the kind of friendly service that characterised many of the ‘old village general dealers’.

“We encourage our customers to take their time, browse, ask questions and chat with us. And when you go home you won’t have to deal with the several layers of plastic and foil that comes with some many packaged products,” says Robert.

The Source Bulk Food is proudly plastic bag free. Shoppers are provided paper bags or can purchase jute shopping bags or glass containers. And all products are labelled with the point of origin.

Andrea Watt says the sibling’s great grandfather Dick Pugh was a general store owner in South Canterbury in the 1950s, and the family experience in retail has instilled in the pair a passion for personal customer service.

The Source is a living wage employer which aims to support local communities and charities. 

www.thesourcebulkfoods.co.nz/