Landing on our shores last month from Australia, Scoop Wholefoods is the newest supermarket in town. But it’s nothing like your regular NTUC FairPrice, Cold Storage or Sheng Siong. It’s more like an Earth-loving wonderland that doesn’t come with exorbitant price tags.
For starters, you can bring your own containers to fill up on raw, natural, and organic goods that you pay for by weight. To minimize waste, you’re encouraged to buy only as much as you need. So if that new recipe you’re experimenting calls for just two tablespoons of herbs, you won’t have to purchase an entire jar and leave the rest to gather dust in your pantry.
The store is a little off the main Orchard stretch at Tanglin Mall, but it’s quite the paradise for plastic-free shoppers keen to live a sustainable and environmentally-friendly lifestyle. Bulk bins are lined up neatly throughout the space, starting with a variety of nut butters by the entrance. You can churn your own (from $6/250g) or pick from one of the freshly ground peanut, almond, cashew, chocolate peanut, and hazelnut spreads.
Even if you forget to bring a bottle, Scoop has rows of empty ones in different sizes for you to buy at a small price. Alternatively, you can stuff your wares into the brown paper bags that it provides. The concept is simple: Just scoop, weigh, and pay for the exact amount you need. Prices start from as low as $2.50 for 100g.
Besides organic teas like Earl Grey rose and lavender, chocolate peppermint, genmaicha, masala chai, and hibiscus flowers, the shop takes you through all types of herbs, seeds, spices, flours, cold-pressed oils, sugars, nuts, dried fruits, and even gluten-free cookie mixes.
If you’re chilling by the fermented goods counter, browse through the selection of kimchi, kombucha, kefir, and sauerkraut on offer. Or perhaps get a cup of kombucha on tap from local brand Fizzicle for a quick refresher.
Those who like to dabble in creating your own household cleaners or body care products can head to the DIY section, where you’re free to concoct your product of choice from scratch. Think all-purpose cleaners, dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, body scrubs, moisturizers, soap bars, and more.
For more organic and natural skincare, the beauty corner features essential oil perfumes, lip balms, and soaps by brands such as Vanessa Megan, Mokosh, Twig Botanicals, and Au Natural Skinfood.
Plus, there’s also a home ware section showcasing ethically sourced bamboo and wood items like tissue boxes, cutlery, and placemats, alongside a tiny pop-up space for homegrown sustainable start-ups to display their wares on rotation.
The way we see it, one trip here could stock up your kitchen (and home) with enough eco-friendly and organic goods to live a sustainable, health-conscious life.
FIND IT:
Scoop Wholefoods Singapore is at #02-17/18 Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Rd.
6235-2739.
MRT: Orchard
