The Better Food Company Reviews 5

This stocks very nice products but it is overpriced. The cheese section is a total rip off.

Once again they tried to rip me off. The cashier didn't bother to discount the items that were clearly marked with massive stickers saying 40% off. And it's not just this store. I've been overcharged before at the White Ladies Rd and the St Paul's branch. Funny how the mistake is always in their favour. And I don't even shop here that often.

*Campaign Against Equivocating Ethical Food Shop Management*

I give two stars because they do some nice stuff in there, even if it is very expensive. Only two stars because A) The quality and condition of fruit and veg is awful, B) The bread is all soft and gunky and pappy, and C) Worst of all, they sell Israeli goods alongside Palestinian fairtrade goods. When I asked about this practice by an 'ETHICAL' food shop, I was told that some customers had complained that they didn't sell Israeli goods. Apparently there is a debate about whether a shop not selling something indicates a sympathy with the people who are victimised, and that in turn victimises the people whose government does the victimising. I think that the shop mangement should stop equivocating, and take a stand and choose a cause or choose an argument and disregard something that they don't agree with. You guys cannot get credit for being ethical if you believe that in a territorial conflict and repression, both sides need sympathy and help so it's OK to support both sides. I honestly think that if you cannot choose a side and be brave enough to stick with it, you should not stock any medjoul dates at all.

I moved to Bristol a year ago and was pleased to find three comparable stores on Whiteladies Road - Better Food, Scoop, and Wild Oats. I use them all but most often Better Food because of its comprehensive range of stock. I've shopped there two or three times a week since last March, initially because of their "early opening for seniors" policy on Thursdays and Fridays (now discontinued). All the staff, whether inexperienced youngsters or more senior, have been always happy to help and responsive to requests. I've felt safe in there in the pandemic - I've enquired and been told that not a single member of staff has been Covid infected. There's rarely a queue either to get in or at checkout. I've not done detailed price comparisons but generally their prices seem reasonable. It's a local company that I'm happy to support, and will respond to their appeal for investors to open new branches.

Better Food is a Bristol-based Organic food supplier.
This review relates to the Whiteladies Road Store.
Better Food`s strapline is Organic, Local, Ethical, no mention of informative, helpful or polite.
This mirrors the experience I had in the Whiteladies Road store recently with a stuffy surly, unwelcoming staff member, keen to be unhelpful.
If Better Food wants to see its business grow it must recognise that some customers will be new to the Organic world and will need help and guidance in the store from staff.
My Organic fudge won best in show but it was without the help of your Whiteladies Road store and without the products you stock.