Q & A with Ripe The Organic Grocer

We caught up with the lovely folks from Ripe The Organic Grocer located in the Prahran Market, about business, produce and how they got started.

How did you get started?

Opening in August 2001, we were one of the first organic fruit and vegetable shops in the Prahran Market. Over the years, we have grown to provide a full range of organic and sustainable living products from fresh produce to a full range of groceries to baby products, you can do your complete shop at Ripe!

Where do you source most of your products/produce from?

We source Australian fresh produce as locally as possible. Some growers deliver directly to us at the Prahran Market! As for grocery products, we support and promote Australian where we can and are always willing to support local organic businesses.

What makes you different from other similar stores?

We are a vibrant, hard working team passionate about organics, sustainability and supporting our local growers and community. We are part of an ever growing shift towards shopping that both provides quality to the consumer yet doesn't doesn't cost the earth.

What’s something that few people know about buying from you?

We keep our fresh produce scraps and donate it to Edgar's Mission farm sanctuary. We also donate food to Second Bite and Sea Shepherd.

Best thing to buy from you store in winter?

Fresh produce: Cauliflower, parsnip, cabbage, apples and citrus (especially yummy tangellos). Also, you cant go past Australian grown organic oats and Melbourne made fresh soups from Organic Indulgence and Whole Food Kitchen!

Any other interesting info you would like to share?

We are working towards reducing our waste as a retailer and as of July 1st this year, we will be switching to the community based project, Boomerang Bags to replace plastic carry bags.

If you can't make it to Prahran to checkout Ripe's fantastic range of organics, you can shop online with them here.