Freshlink Grocer

Freshlink Grocer in Wānaka is all about turning to our roots and taking things back to basics. The whole-food store has a genuinely wholesome focus on slow food, championing minimal to zero processing and shortening the distance between growers, makers and producers.

More than a store, it’s a hub of knowledge and community. The staff are keen facilitators of whole food conversation, happy to help anyone on a food or health journey by connecting people to what they eat and where it comes from. Created by Jesse, with a wonderful team, the store doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel but reintroduces the way that things used to be done. Packaging is minimal, and recycling and waste reduction are encouraged – glass bottles are returned to suppliers for refill and glass jars are reused and recycled. Even the fresh summer strawberries they stock are packed in compostable containers, resulting in multi-level sustainability. All products that come into the store are carefully considered, and if it contains one ingredient that isn’t a whole food, it won’t get in the door. 

The store itself is spacious and minimal, creating an energy that would score a few feng shui points and align with conscious living practices. On a walk-through, you will find lovely fresh produce, tasty dry goods, local dairy products, as well as kitchen, bathroom and laundry products (with refill options available), and more. Outside, you will find Dripping Bowl, another of Jesse’s creations, serving up açai bowls, smoothies and other soul-nourishing eats. 

With sustainability at heart, Freshlink tells the honest story of local and national growers and makers and does it deliciously.