TreeHuggers, Bartertown Diner partner to bring Grand Rapids a vegan bulk foods grocery

The frustration of trying to find grocery foods suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets could be coming to an end in Grand Rapids. A fresh grocery option could be available as early as next week at TreeHuggers (947 Wealthy St. SE), an option which will offer package-free products for customers to take home in their own containers.

“I hate having to get everything in plastic,” says TreeHuggers owner Angela Topp. “Grocery stores have everything in plastic, and I’ve been trying to reduce the packaging. Ryan [Cappelletti] (owner of Bartertown Deli) is able to bring in the sustainable nutritious food, and I can do it without getting all this packaging with it.”

Topp says the store has combined its food orders with Bartertown’s orders from local farms and food producers, so the type of products Bartertown orders hasn’t changed, only the quantities have.

The store will offer products that include maple syrup, honey, hot sauces, nuts, condiments, sodas by the tap, spices, teas and much more. Ready-made menu selections from Bartertown will be available daily, such as sandwiches and cookies. Plus, there will be a selection of prepared breads from vegan bakeries, says Topp.

Customers will be able to pick up a limited number of containers at the store, but are encouraged to bring their own to encourage the reduction of plastics consumption at home, Topp says.

Once the grocery aspect of the store launches, Topp says the store hours will become 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

The initial funding of just over $8,000 for the project came from a Kickstarter campaign that Topp says created a lot of buzz and support for the new business.

Source: Angela Topp, TreeHuggers
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor