Veggie delights at Sound Bites

“Now what sort of effect would you like you tea to have?”

I’ve been offered a cuppa at Sound Bites Wholefoods shop in Derby – so clearly this is going to be no ordinary brew. I ask for something uplifting and am presented with Chocolate Chilli Chai, a flavoured Chinese black tea.

Sound Bites has been one of my favourite places to shop since I moved to Derby six years ago, and since taking my pledge to shop local its become invaluable, so it was really nice to feature it in the this week's Food You Can Trust feature for the paper.

Not only does it stock a little bit of absolutely everything you could need in terms of groceries, but its ethical ethos means you can be sure that what you’re buying is as good for both you, and the planet, as possible.

And although they don’t like to boast about it, every single thing in the shop is also suitable for vegans – making it the perfect place to visit during National Vegetarian Week this week.

I’ve been a veggie since I was 13-years-old and have also flirted with veganism on several occasions, so I’m in my element in meat-free shops like this, but I realise that for some people its an entirely new experience.

But there really is nothing scary about good, simple, non-processed, natural food, as Scott Marshall, one of the co-operative members behind the store, points out.

“I think we’ve got quite traditional values,” he said. “We offer good value natural foods for people who like to cook from scratch, we’re low on packaging and processing.”

Sound Bites began life in Derby’s Market Hall in 2005, before moving to it’s own store, in Morledge, seven months later. It was founded by a co-operative, which currently has five members, and funded by Loan Stock – which means a number of supporters pledged money to set up the business, which the co-operative is now paying back.

Founding member Ruth Strange explains that the aims of the shop are to increase access to more ethical foods and support positive social change.

Ruth said: “We specialise in selling produce that is organic, Fairly Traded, cruelty-free, locally produced, low in packaging, non-GM, low in added sugars or salts, and with no unnecessary additives.

“Choosing organic does make a difference because organic farmers help to protect the environment and biodiversity, improve soil and encourage wildlife, birds and bees. Organic food is free from chemicals and never comes from genetically-modified seeds.”

Ruth explains how the supply chain used by Sound Bites is totally different to that used by the big chains and supermarkets – and much more accountable.

“We use wholesalers and producers whose aim is to produce good food in an ethical way,” she said. “It’s totally different to the industrial, mass-produced factory food offered in supermarkets. It really is food you can trust.”

For more see today's Derby telegraph or online.