Jenny and Leo Watling opened Apples and Sage Organic Wholefoods in 2013, after becoming disillusioned with the standard of organic retailers and the corporate world, respectively.
Leave any frustration you’ve had about crammed health food stores at the door of this expansive, polished industrial space. Apples and Sage is laid out just as well as any commercial supermarket. The staff can help you distinguish your kimchi from your kombucha, explaining the health effects and different brands while they’re at it.
The certified organic store is always bustling. Customers shop for fruit and vegies; healthy sweeteners; flours you’ve never heard of; breads of the 21st century; and warm, freshly made peanut butter. The store’s size means there’s always room for adding new products such as a golden turmeric latte mix or aloe vera juice.
Take your pick from Melbourne-made Greene Street Co. juices, Zebra Dream vegan ice creams or sultanas driven down from Albury. A sense of community is important at Apples and Sage, from supporting local farmers to greeting regulars by name.
And remember, your wicker basket isn’t full until you’ve chosen from the extensive range of hand-made raw desserts located conveniently at the check-out.
