Your body is your temple, and just like any temple, it needs to be taken care of. You wouldn’t pour junk into a temple, so why would you do it to your body? A nutritious diet is essential for overall well-being, and one way to ensure that you’re fuelling your body with the best is by shopping at organic food stores. With health at the forefront of the conversation, we must think about, not only food’s impact on our body, but also the impact that sourcing food has on our planet, as well a truly sustainable experience from start to finish. So, with that in mind, here are our top picks for Sussex health food stores.
Hunglish
Hunglish’s mission statement is clear. Help the planet by eliminating waste in food shopping, while keeping the experience as affordable and sustainable as possible (not an easy feat, by any means).
The team at Hunglish believe in the power of individuals to make a difference and invite you to join their global movement to reduce single-plastic use by shopping for eco-friendly food and hygiene essentials. The satisfaction of minimizing packaging waste in your community and becoming part of a tribe that champions environmental responsibility is at the core of everything that Hunglish do.
Hunglish also go far beyond health foods; With their impressive selection of products, including both food and hygiene essentials, vitamins and health supplements, drinks, sweets, nuts, pastries, and even toys, there are very few things that can’t be sourced directly from either their in person or online store, and honestly, the list could go on and on.
Hunglish owner and founder, Viki
Hunglish don’t just provide their customers with a guilt free in person shopping experience, but now deliver as well. Nation wide delivery is available for a fee, or if you’re lucky enough to live in Brighton and Hove, your delivery will be free, provided you meet the minimum order of £15.
So say goodbye to single-use plastics and hello to a life that embraces sustainability, discover the latest and greatest products that offer ethical, toxin-free, zero-waste alternatives, and help create a plastic-free world. Are you in?
Infinity Foods
Next, we come to arguably Sussex’s best health food shop; Infinity Foods. At Infinity Foods, they’re all about keeping it real. Their mission is simple: provide the best natural foods, just the way nature intended. Their own-brand whole foods are a diverse bunch, with everything from muesli to dried fruit and nuts. And guess what? Most of them are certified organic by the Soil Association.
But that’s not all. They’re not just about great food, they’re about making a difference too. They’ve been building stronger connections with their producers worldwide and expanding their fair trade range. In fact, they were the pioneers in bringing fair-trade organic Basmati rice to the UK. And now, their range of fairly traded whole foods keeps on growing, with goodies like quinoa, Thai Jasmine rice, brazil nuts, cashews, sesame seeds, and dates.
So if you’re searching for natural, ethical, and delicious foods, look no further. Infinity Foods has got you covered. With its eco-friendly ethos and commitment to sourcing the best organic produce, Infinity Foods is a popular choice for foodies across Sussex. Located in the heart of Brighton, the store offers everything from fresh vegetables to artisanal cheeses, as well as a wide range of vegan and gluten-free products. Infinity Foods also has a café on-site where you can savour delicious and nutritious meals made from locally sourced ingredients.
Health Rebels
Health Rebels, located in Western Road, was brought to life in 2019 by co-owner Mickey Jukes and his team after the space above his radio station 1BTN became available. The sustainable vegetarian and vegan store offers locally sourced products with a friendly atmosphere and knowledgeable staff who have contributed to the unique design and layout of the store.
The store offers a wide range of organic and sustainably sourced food options, including local favourites and homemade vegan and vegetarian options, along with eco-friendly home goods and supplements. They have received positive feedback from residents and have plans for unique additions to their business, such as a graffiti artist, nut butter machines, and workshops about the natural products industry.
They are navigating the difficult climate in which we find ourselves in 2024 by introducing a “Cost of living” special offer campaign to help balance their sustainability with affordability, and we very much wish them the best of luck in this.
The Seasons
The Seasons is a family-run business that prides itself on providing high-quality organic produce and excellent customer service. The store offers a wide range of fresh fruit and vegetables, with an emphasis on locally sourced and seasonal produce. Prices are reasonable, and they offer discounts on certain products when you buy in bulk.
An absolute gem, The Seasons has been providing nourishment since 1971. Diana Phillips, a Quaker with a vision for healthy organic foods, kickstarted this journey. Fast forward to 2012, when John Walden, a shop director with unwavering dedication, decided to take the reins. Not long after, his son Robin joined the team, injecting fresh energy into the business. The result? A seamless transition into the 21st century!
In the fall of 2017, they waved goodbye to their old digs on Hartfield Road and embraced a brand new chapter in Medway House, before opening a second location in the picturesque Town of Lewes. With these stores, they’ve created a haven for foodies, offering an extensive selection of top-notch organic goodies all under one roof. And fear not, our tight-knit community vibe remains intact! So head over, and let them delight your taste buds while nourishing your soul. The Seasons is ready to revolutionize your culinary experience.
HISBE
HISBE (How it Should be) is no just a health food shop, but a community-driven supermarket that puts people and the planet first. This store offers a large selection of organic products, including fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, and dairy, as well as ethical cleaning products and sustainable household items. HISBE also offers customers a “Penny a Week” scheme, where you can donate a penny per week to support local charities and social enterprises.
They aim to banish the days of endless aisles filled with products all owned by a few mega-corporations. Seriously, how many types of cornflakes or toilet paper do we really need? It’s all about profit, promotion, and way too much popcorn.
Instead, they’ve curated a selection of everyday groceries sourced from local producers and responsible, ethical brands. This means better options for you and a fair deal for our suppliers. Plus, it’s a chance to show those big supermarkets what they’re missing out on.
Unfortunately, HISBE has fallen victim to the cost of living crisis, with the sustainability warriors closing the doors of both their Worthing and Brighton stores (hopefully temporarily). This truly would be a tragic fate for a company with such an important mission. We do hope to see them make a strong and speedy return to form, as they have been a staple shop for health conscious residents of both Brighton and Worthing for quite a few years now.
Benefits
Health
By including whole foods in your meals, you’ll benefit from their high fibre content, which helps keep you feeling full. This can lead to eating less overall, making it beneficial for weight loss goals. Not only that, but a diet rich in fibre from whole foods also contributes to better blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
One of the key advantages of whole foods is that they are free from added saturated fat, salt, and sugar. Incorporating more whole foods into your diet helps to lower the intake of these additives, which in turn improves your cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and weight.
Sustainable Living
The impact of our current lifestyle on the environment has been catastrophic and urgent action is needed to prevent further damage. Sustainable living is crucial for the future, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy nature’s benefits. To address these issues, we can start by reducing the damage caused by plastic pollution. Saying no to plastic bags and bottles is a simple but effective way to make a difference.
Another important aspect is fighting climate change. We can achieve this by reducing our carbon footprint and cutting down greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, we must lessen our impact on water sources such as lakes, rivers, and oceans. Consuming less water and using fewer harmful chemicals will help protect these vital ecosystems. It is also crucial to stop the destruction of natural habitats, as preserving biodiversity plays a crucial role in maintaining a sustainable planet.
In essence, living sustainably is the only way to ensure the survival of our planet and our species in the long term. Let’s take action now and make a positive impact.
Community
These establishments are shining lights in another way as well; Not only do they provide sustainable and healthy food, they also support the community in a number of ways. We have outlined some of our favourite ways below:
- Form a significant part of the UK economy by creating jobs, keeping money in the community, and benefitting the environment through local sourcing.
- Provide a higher level of customer service due to their connection to the community and accessibility of decision-makers.
- Play a crucial role in developing strong communities by fostering relationships and supporting each other.
- Be unique in their customer service and accountability to the community due to being run by people who are truly committed and connected to their business and its customers.
- Support the economy, provide unique products and experiences, and foster competition and innovation.
Final Thoughts…
The values that these Sussex health food stores stand for are so important for leading a balanced life in the 21st century. Sustainability, affordability, and community are key to the future of the planet and our society. While the food industry still has a ways to go to fully realise the implementation of these values, there are also plenty of other ways in which these can be incorporated into your life today; clothes shopping, furniture shopping, fitness, and eating out can all be approached in a similar manner.
If you take one thing away from this article, it’s that there are fantastic businesses out there that can help you live a environmentally friendly life. So, if you can afford to support one of these businesses on our list, and in turn support the local community, the planet, and independent suppliers, then please consider getting involved.
