Stepping into a wholefoods store can sometimes feel a little daunting. But the moment you walk through the doors of Unpacked, the bulk organics and wholefoods store in Kingston, that intimidation simply fades away. Before we even reached the counter, we were greeted with a warm smile and a genuine hello from Hayley. The shop is bright, airy, and smells faintly of fresh spices and coffee—not at all like the clinical, fluorescent-lit aisles of a big-chain supermarket
We sat down with Josh White, the owner of Unpacked, to chat about the magic of bulk buying and the importance of local food security. Halfway through our conversation, the interview took a brief, delicious pause. The front door swung open for a special delivery: armfuls of beautiful, freshly baked, wood-fired sourdough from Summer Kitchen Bakery in Ranelagh. As the aroma of warm bread filled the room, it was clear that Unpacked isn’t just a shop.
Here is what Josh had to share about building a resilient, nourished community in the heart of Kingston.
Unpacked is such a staple in the Kingston community now. Can you take us back to the beginning—how long have you been open, and what was the “lightbulb moment” where you identified the need for a low-waste store here?
We didn’t actually start the business ourselves, but a friend of ours did! It has been around for about 10 years now. After about six years, the original owner, Anna, decided it was time to move on. We decided to buy it because we didn’t want to risk such a community staple being lost.
It’s where we always shopped. Our own ethics are all about reducing waste—we have a large family with four children, so we always viewed the business through the lens of: How can we do our entire grocery shop here and go home with zero rubbish to put in the bin? That was the decision behind buying it—it aligns with everything we do at home.
For someone who hasn’t stepped inside yet, what can they expect? How does shopping here differ from a standard supermarket run?
In terms of the shopping, some people worry they have to bring their own containers, but you don’t! We have biodegradable paper bags for those who need them. We stock everything from the basics—cornflakes, muesli, every kind of flour—to specialty items like mushroom powders, collagen, and even kombucha and milk on tap. We even have peanut butter and almond butter machines!
We love being the conduit between local farmers and the community. We also own the Unpacked VegeBox program, which is packed off-site but collected right here every week or delivered across southern Tasmania.
The service you recieve from our staff is second to none. We know our customers’ names; it’s a very personal experience and that comes through in the service. My wife, Collette runs all the social media as well as the accounts & bookkeeping. Hayley has a huge hand in running both the Unpacked shop, and the Unpacked VegeBox program along with Staja. And I have to call out all our team who go above and beyond in the shop: Millie, Verity, Olivia, Josie, Alice, Smith, Elsie, and Alex – a huge thank you to everyone that makes Unpacked happen!
With the cost of living rising, many families are feeling the pinch. How is Unpacked positioned to help Tasmanians stay resilient right now?
One of the biggest advantages is that you dictate how much you buy. You don’t have to buy a whole pre-packaged box or a kilo bag. If you only need a single teaspoon of a specific spice for a recipe, you can buy exactly a teaspoon. We get a lot of retirees and people on pensions who shop here for that exact reason—they can get exactly what they need without the waste or the extra cost.
What do you see as your biggest advantage over the big supermarket chains?
We have zero automated checkouts! And no inclination to get them anytime soon. It’s about that human connection. Plus, the quality of what we source—I personally go to the farms, look at their procedures, and ensure they aren’t using sprays or chemicals. Most of our growers are certified organic, and being able to vouch for that quality is something you just don’t get at a big chain.
Advice for the “Wholefood Curious”. If a family wants to start eating more wholefoods but feels overwhelmed, where should they start?
Just come in and talk to us! Let us show you how easy it is. We actually have quite a few customers with young children who find it a bit tricky to shop with them, so they give us a shopping list. We pack the whole order for them while they take the kids to the park or the library, then they just swing back and pick it up. We’re here to make it work for you.
Finally, we’re right in the heart of Autumn now. What is your favourite seasonal produce coming through the doors?
I love fresh blueberry season, though we are right at the tail end of that now—we have about four different organic blueberry farms that supply us. I also love early-season potatoes—Pink Eyes and Kipflers—which Tassie is so famous for. And eggplants! They have a short season, but when they’re organic and local, they’re amazing.
Where to Shop: Tasmania’s wholefood and organic Stores
If you aren’t in the Kingston area, there are plenty of incredible “wholefood brothers and sisters” across the state where you can scoop, pour, and shop consciously:
- Eumarrah (Hobart & Launceston) – A Tasmanian institution for organic bulk goods.
- The Grain Grocer (Launceston) – Fantastic bulk wholefoods and local produce.
- The Organic Grocer (South Launceston)
- Wholesome House (Mowbray) – Serving the north and northwest with beautiful bulk options.
- Forage and Store (Deloraine) – Organic and natural wholefood store
- Scoop Wholefoods (Sandy Bay) – A great range of dry goods and pantry staples.
- City Organics (Hobart ) – Organic wholefoods market & eco grocer including natural beauty
- SoHo Wholefoods – Sustainable Grocer and Coffee Shop
Next time you’re in Kingston, pop into Unpacked at 45 Channel Highway. Whether you’re after a single teaspoon of cinnamon or a whole box of seasonal veg, you’ll be met with a smile—and maybe even the smell of fresh bread.
