But for many it will be a return to a way of shopping from years gone by. 

Ballarat foodie Janet Smith will open the doors to The Source Bulk Foods Ballarat on Friday. 

The store will be completely plastic free, requiring customers to either bring from home or buy their own jars and reusable containers to fill with wholefoods. 

Customers weigh and fill containers themselves, with as little or as much produce they like. 

Ms Smith has been overwhelmed by the interest in the store from passersby and on social media. 

“The excitement from social media has been amazing already, and people in Ballarat seem to really want it,” she said. 

“A lot of older people are really excited because it is almost taking them back to the way they are used to shopping. The younger generation are really embracing it as well. They seem to be really mindful of the zero waste movement.

“The reach and the interest is quite broad… for families with children we have got lots of healthy school snacks and for people who have allergies or health requirements we have got gluten free and FODMAP friendly products.”

There are nine other The Source Bulk Food stores in Victoria and 43 in total in Australia. The growing franchise is testament to the trend in environmentally and health conscious shopping. 

But Ms Smith emphasised the Ballarat is store is locally owned and features produce from the region. 

She too is a passionate foodie and prefers to buy produce plastic free and in bulk. 

“I really believe in cooking from scratch and using no preservatives where possible,” Ms Smith said. 

“In my previous job doing home cooking demonstrations I found I was able to inspire people to get into the kitchen and cook from scratch. I know with this business I will be able to do the same - to inspire and educate.”

The store will focus on food education, with an iPad set up with product information and a space for in-store workshops and demonstrations. 

“Customers might see a new ingredient and wonder what they can use it for. We can take them through the benefits and features of a particular product. For example quinoa flakes are great as a gluten free alternative to make porridge,” Ms Smith said. 

“With our workshops we might have everything from a honey supplier in to talk about bees, how to have zero waste, how to swap your pantry to be recyclable and how to make healthy school lunch box snacks.”

The Source Bulk Foods Store in Ballarat will open near Woolworths at the Eastwood Street shopping complex on Friday October 12. 

Products available ranges from snacks, dried fruit, seeds and nuts, flours, herbs and spices to honey, kombucha and cleaning products. 

Visit thesourcebulkfoods.com.au/ for more. 

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