As the only constituency with a green MP, it is unsurprising that Brighton has its fair share of health and sustainable food shops. From Hove to Hollingdean, there’s a smattering of health shops across Brighton with most of them offering refillable, zero waste shopping. Lots of these outfits are linked to their own environmental and social missions such as lowering plastic usage or donating to local charities. This means that not only will you leave with high quality nutritious food but also the knowledge that you are putting back into society and supporting ethical shops and causes.
The most famous and iconic of them all is Infinity Foods, a store in the heart of the laines that has grown so much over the last 50 years that it now has its own separate wholesale business. The Infinity Foods brand can be found in many other health shops across the country as it has become synonymous with quality and sustainability. So, in that case, there’s no better place to start this piece than with the leader of the Brighton pack.
Infinity Foods (North Laines)
Opened originally as a small shop in 1971 by a group of Sussex university graduates, Brighton residents often talk about Infinity Foods as one of the first health shops they remember visiting. It is not just a health shop, but an iconic brand representing the ethos of sustainability, organic food production and vegan and vegetarian produce.
Centred in the heart of the laines and surrounded by the bustle of tourists, Infinity is one of those shops that you actively look forward to visiting. This is largely due to the large range of healthy products on offer, from refill stations to vitamins, from fresh bread (which has been baked on site since 1976) to a wide selection of delicious organic chocolate. Presentation is key, whether it is the fresh fruit and veg, or the display of baked and chilled goodies.
Infinity Foods not only stands out due to its size and range, but also because of the friendly nature of the staff who will go out of your way to help you. Infinity practices an equitable form of business that is not solely driven by profit margins and that’s why prices are very reasonable compared to other health shops. There is also a Community Card loyalty scheme to keep the costs down further.
The company commits to sourcing as much as possible locally and aims for a fair and just business practice for all its trading partners, suppliers and producers, and in turn, its customers too. Infinity Foods also supports a number of charities including the Phoenix Food Hub and Whitehawk Community Food Project. Phoenix Food Hub (https://www.phoenixfood.org/) works to make food more accessible to the local community and Whitehawk Community (https://www.facebook.com/WhitehawkCommunityFoodProject/) encourages organic cultivation and biodiversity.
Address: 25 North Rd, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1YA
Website: https://www.infinityfoodsretail.coop/our-shop/
Health Rebels (Hove)
Health Rebels is a secret gem found along the Western Road and next door to the trendy Salvage Café. It is a smaller store than Infinity Foods, but has a good selection of refillable products and even has room to stock some of Infinity’s own brand, including nuts, dried fruit and wheats.
Immediately you will be become aware of its cute, artisanal vibe with fruit and vegetables found in wooden crates outside, and freshly made samosas, brownies and sausage rolls available at the checkout counter. If it is selling its scrumptious banana bread, then make sure that also goes in your basket. Shoppers have often praised the store workers for their taste in music and the staff are friendly and will make you feel at home as you slowly peruse and bop around the goods.
Although it isn’t the largest store, there is a choice of organic wines, coffee, chocolate and also refillable housing cleaning products. The refillable food includes great value for money organic oats, dried fruit, pasta, nuts and a range of other sundries.
Another great product is their Themptation CBD chocolate, which can sell out quickly, but don’t worry if it’s not available there is also another range of CBD chocolate. As well as a strong range of vitalising organic drinks, Health Rebels also sells a range of vitamins and health supplements. In regards to chilled food, there is a range of tofu, tempah and other meat-free substitutes available, as well as fresh pasta and sauces.
Address: 85 Western Rd, Hove, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 1JB
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Rebels2020/
HISBE (The Level)
Although Hisbe doesn’t formally recognise itself as a health shop, it wouldn’t feel right not to mention this colourful outfit on this list. This is due to the fact Hisbe (which stands for How It Should Be) is challenging the way big supermarkets do business by offering a source of responsibly and sustainably sourced products from local producers and brands.
Instead of bombarding customers with products owned by corporate giants, Hisbe offers a healthy and ethical selection of groceries. In their own words, they like to keep the shopping experience easy for customers, positing on their website ‘how many versions of the same cornflake, porridge oat, loo roll or bakes beans do we need?’
Both the Worthing and Brighton shops have a huge refillable range, again nudging them towards the health store ideology. Pulses, grains, fruit, nuts, cacoa, the Brighton branch has one of the largest selections of refillable products in the city – perfect for those dedicated to zero waste as well as keeping the costs down.
‘The Hisbe Way’ supports local produce, small farms and fair pay – alongside reducing food waste, packaging waste and carbon emissions – putting sustainability and the environment at the heart of Ruth and Amy Anslow’s company – the two sisters who set it up in 2010. They were joined by Jack Simmonds in 2013 and together they have been reimagining the way supermarkets can create an alternative business model for sustainable food and farming.
Address: 20-21 York Pl, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 4GU
Website: https://hisbe.co.uk/#home
Harriet’s of Hove, the plastic free pantry
Named after Brighton resident and owner Harriet, this storeis a brilliant option for home cooks and those committed to zero waste. Mainly dedicated to the refillable concept, there isn’t a selection of fresh food but everything you need in terms of spices, pulses, flour, nuts, seeds, rice, pasta, tea, coffee and organic chocolate.If you like a wide variety of tea or enjoy sampling something new, at Harriet’s you also have the opportunity to buy tea bags by the bag – so you can work out your new favourite. There is also a strong selection of kitchen, bathroom and house-cleaning products.
Whilst this isn’t a place to go fresh food shopping, there is fresh homemade bread available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays – with discounted value on Monday for any leftovers.
Harriet’s was born out of a passion for the environment and a desire to empower individuals to access sustainable living in a way which works for them. Harriet and her friendly and helpful team do lots of campaigning to decrease the use of plastics in Brighton and are passionate about the environment and the lowering of single use plastics.
Grab a leaflet inside the store, and you can get 10% off your first instore shop. If you are unable to make it to the store, there is a click and collect and delivery service available for your sundries. The home deliveries are done by bicycle, showing that this store takes the environment seriously at every level of their business.
Address: 48 Blatchington Rd, Hove, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 3YH
Website: https://www.harrietsofhove.com/
Grape Tree (Hove)
This successful chain is passionate about health and quality, as well as offering value and choice. With well over 100 branches across the UK, the Grape Tree even has its own magazine that comes packed with healthy tips and recipes.
Registered as a British organic retailer, Grape Tree constantly seeks new products that are natural, free from, vegan and vegetarian. As well as using local suppliers, the company continues a hunt for new and better international sources of delicious, nutritious and natural foods.
The Brighton branch is a spacious store with a wide range of refillable items including nuts, seeds, dried fruits. Cupboard essentials such as grains, herbs and spices, marinades, cereals, oils and vinegars are also available alongside a range of personal care and beauty items. Superfoods such as cacao, maca powder and manuka honey are on offer, with a basic range of vitamins, minerals and supplements.
There is also a naughtier side to Grape Tree with a strong selection of confectionery, chocolate, sweets and vegan treats and snacks. You can get 10% off when you spend £50 in store and online there is the added advantage of being able to shop by your diet, whether that is vegan, dairy free, gluten free, organic, lactose free or nut free.
Address: 57 George St, Hove, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 3YD
Website: https://www.grapetree.co.uk/
