Pantries at the ready. Here's our Guide to Shopping without a supermarket

For great bread, pay a visit to Vic’s Bakery at Waterman Place in Ferrymead, or if you’re near the city centre, you’ll also find most of the Vic’s bread at the Victoria Street café.  Whatever you’re after, Vic’s will have the right bread for you, whether you’re after baguettes for stuffing with sausages, ciabatta for your scrambled eggs or buns for burgers.  For an easy but sure-to-please dessert option, try some of Vic’s Café’s incredible chocolate brownies!

Bohemian Bakery has made itself at home in the Sumner scene thanks to the hungry visitors who rave about the quality of fare and the quality of customer service. Adding to the already firm feel of community in the beach-side suburb, Bohemian Bakery is a keen to share the love in the form of food, with a community-run excess produce shelf out front. Popular too is the homemade sourdough and pastries, while vegan eaters who may have thought their bakery visiting days were over, need not despair, as Bohemian Bakery offers a selection of sweet and savoury treats free of animal products.

As the name suggests, the team at this bakery know a thing or two about baking delicious doughy treats. Tarts, sponge rolls and even the bread have a distinctive French twist, and the bakery wouldn't be out of place on a Parisian street corner. Impressive displays of culinary creativity keep visitors guessing and can turn even the humble eclair into an edible piece of art. Spy on the bakers out the back doing their thing while you toss up between the French staples – croissant or baguette?

Owned and managed by two equally impressive bakers (Bellbird Baked Goods and Traditionally Tuscan), Tanner Street Bakery is located along the boardwalk in one of the effortlessly cool exposed brick spaces at The Tannery.

Offering everything from the traditional croissant to the much sought-after frangipani tart, the sweet section is a carbohydrate lover's dream. Crisp, golden and perfectly puffed, the baked goods sit next to some of the tastiest looking slices and tarts in the city, beautifully presented in glass cabinets. (Keep an eye out for lemon meringue tarts and the Italian inspired panforte.)

An un-assuming little place in Huntsbury, Una Bakery encompasses everything we Kiwis love about these faithful specialty stores. Meat pies, bags of cookies, a range of loaves, generously-filled sandwiches, and sweet danishes dripping with custard, the place feels warm, bright and authentic.

The friendly staff also do takeaway coffee and are always on the current bake-trend (be sure to try the hot cross buns for Easter.) A totally un-pretentious place that's happy to stick to fail-proof recipes means Una Bakery is a hit with hungry lunch-time locals as well as those a little nostalgic for the way bakeries used to be.

Sam Ellis is an unconventional baker. He's the guy behind Grizzly Baked Goods, a modern-style bakery which has no fixed abode (yet). Instead, you can find his bagels, doughnuts and European-style sourdoughs and burger buns at the Christchurch Farmers Market and at a number of cafes around town, including Kadett/Space Academy, Made Espresso Bar and Little Poms.

Keep an eye out for his bakery opening to the public on Buchan Street and a bakehouse at The Welder in 2019.

This Merivale foodie haven has been putting the deli-cious in deli-catessen for 25 years. It is a go-to for the freshest, finest and most indulgent European feasts year-round. Starting their days at 2.30am, owners Anthea and Maarten set about bringing to life a changing weekly menu of takeaway meals, as well as pies, pasta and salad dishes, sold fresh from their cabinet each day. Aged prime locally sourced meat and produce, gluten-free European style sausages and small goods sit alongside imported delicacies with rich ranges of wines, cheeses, condiments and sauces, fresh salads and baked goods.

The Harbour Co-op in Lyttelton is a community owned co-operative working towards one common goal: to support local, organic, fair trade and wholefoods producers and make these products available to Lyttelton.

From the immediate smell of wooden floors and spices, to noticing that the supplier stacking the milk in the fridge still has mud on their boots from the milking shed, this shop isn't shy about revealing its focus on community and the environment and is well worth a visit next time you're in Lyttelton.

A favourite among Christchurch foodies, Piko Wholefoods is a low-profit vegetarian wholefood store specialising in certified organic and gluten-free foods. Piko is committed to promoting organics and supporting a sustainable future for communities. From butter and apples to flour and shampoo, Piko has your organic needs covered. Many of Piko's goods are sold in bulk to reduce cost and encourage recycling of containers. On top of this, its low profit policy ensures the mark-up on organic food is kept to a minimum.

The only store of its kind in Christchurch, Mediterranean Food Company is in a league of its own, supplying direct-to-customer olive oil, olives, cheeses, wines, sliced meats and salami, pasta and a variety of goods direct from Europe. Need we say more? Products are selected and imported from Greece, Italy, Spain and Turkey. They’re also affordable, so another reason to skip the supermarket when filling that picnic basket.

As purveyors of quality produce, the focus at The Pantry is on offering Lincoln locals gourmet, natural, organic and health conscious food. Here they prefer to source from small producers, both locally and internationally, to create a farmers-market feel within the store.

Pickles, sauerkraut, crackers, kombucha by Daily Organics, smoked salmon and a selection of fresh beverages are up for the taking.

The fresh, organic vegetables sit pride of place at the entrance, alongside fresh loaves of breads and pastries from Le Panier and Bellbird. Owner Phillippa Boa sources her veggies from local growers, ensuring freshness as well as cutting down on carbon miles.

The shopping centre centrepiece has all the delicious, gourmet goods for inspired pantries. Peruse the rustic wooden box tops in the middle of The Colombo to find finishing touches and meal heroes.

Known for its gourmet salt grinders, nothing at this aptly named gourmet larder is plain: The mouthwatering array of condiments, craft beers and soda syrups all have a unique twist. Yumm is also the perfect place to find foodie gifts. Check out the New Zealand product-filled hampers and Seriously Good Chocolate with flavours including salted caramel and nougat.

Well known for their incredibly low prices, it’s not just the affordability of their produce that keeps business booming - but the importance they place on customer satisfaction, too. Quick to respond to requests for stock updates online, and regularly posting handy recipes, it’s little wonder that Healthy Harvest has gone from strength to strength. In return, on any given day, their carpark is full with plenty of Prebbleton and Lincoln locals making the effort to support their local greengrocer.

The bright red corrugated iron roof of Vegeland is a familiar sight for those that frequent Marshland Road, as are the bright signs advertising their affordable prices. In a world full of hidden marketing, sometimes there’s comfort in seeing good old-fashioned advertising, and it’s this honest approach that attracts their customers.

Vegeland is a no-frills greengrocer, where you can rest assured that you’re getting the best possible value for your money. Their produce is honest; expect bumps and bruises, but above all, expect fruit and vegetables the way nature intended them to be.

A popular spot, this greengrocers is frequented by locals in the know, who know where to find a good deal. The Greens Parkview Gardens aim to provide the freshest vegetables from paddock to plate, so it’s little wonder that it’s one of the busiest spots along Harewood Road. Selling everything from fresh flowers to real fruit ice cream to compost, The Greens Parkview Garden is your one stop shop for nature’s best offerings. Their produce is presented with care, and their friendly staff are more than happy to point you in the right direction.

Grown helps to supply the market-goers on the weekends with fresh fruit and vegetables at eight different markets around Canterbury. Fresh from the farm to the market, the emphasis at Grown is on honest, locally-grown produce at reasonable prices. This would explain why their stalls at Canterbury Farmers markets are so popular; with locals and visitors alike stocking up on all the fresh produce on offer. The majority of their fruit and vegetables are grown on their spray-free family farm with absolute care, and the proof is in the produce; flavourful, wholesome and natural - no chemicals necessary.

The Christchurch Farmers Market at Riccarton House is one of the best food markets in Christchurch. Stalls include organic fruit, vegetables and herbs, fresh bread, iced cookies, cakes and cupcakes, coffee, chocolate, organic yoghurt, smoked salmon, free range chicken and eggs, gourmet seasonings and smoked garlic, honey… everything you need for the pantry. Ready to eat hot pasties, pies and mini quiches are also available if you feel like a little brunch on the river bank.

Christchurch folk do farmers markets well. Whether buying or selling, there’s always a sense of community spirit and passion in the air for trading locally and direct to the public. The farmers market in Lyttelton epitomises this vibe. At this market (in Lyttelton's main street) you will find fresh fruit and vegetables, breads, cheeses, hot chocolate and plants (among others).

The not-for-profit market is run by local volunteers and recycling is encouraged so visitors should bring their own (reusable) bags. The vendors are all local, either from Lyttelton or the surrounding bays, as the focus of the market is solely on community.

There is nothing quite like wandering around a farmers market on a weekday morning, sipping a coffee, and chatting to farmers and growers while choosing your fresh, local produce for the week. With the renewed interest in ethical food choices, markets are booming, and Canterbury has some of the best around.

Every Friday morning, rain or shine, the Ohoka Domain comes alive with stallholders and market goers. The market hustles and bustles with locals and tourists in search of the best produce North Canterbury has to offer. Stallholders sell anything from ready-to-eat meals, plants and crafts to candles, second hand goods and cheese. Although a bit of a drive from Christchurch, this is a market you don’t want to miss.

One of the best things about Christchurch is that there is no shortage of good weekend markets. The farmers market in Mt Pleasant is a bustling little Saturday hangout, with fresh produce and great community vibe. There’s a great selection of stalls here, offering everything from fruit and vegetables to pies to salmon and fresh bread.

With organic coffee, a playground for the little people and friendly community fun, the Mt Pleasant market is well worth a visit – particularly for the spectacular views that no other market can lay claim to.

Supporting local growers and producers for a few of years now, the Opawa / St Martins Farmers Market is a popular market with locals and those from a little further afield. Raw food, fresh baked bread, free range eggs and fresh fruit and vegetables, you name it! This weekly Sunday market supports the Christchurch South community by enabling growers in the area to sell direct to the buyer. Nothing unusual here but we all know there are financial gains to be made from cutting out the middle man. Take your wicker basket and stock up on the week’s groceries, at the same time as supporting local, small scale food production. Primo.

The Riccarton Sunday Market (aka the Riccarton Racecourse Market) is the place to go if you want, well, anything really.

Over the years the market has become quite the local attraction; its rare and wacky charm continues to impress the masses and is the country's largest outdoor marketplace. Every Sunday, eager crowds flock to the racecourse to enjoy a vast range of stalls and services.

Consisting of over 300 individual vendors, you'll find anything from fresh fruits and vegetables and international foods to artisan breads, canned goods and British cereals.

Peter Timbs has all of your meat needs covered, no matter what you’re after; their range is extensive and the quality impressive.  Choose from a large lineup of award-winning sausages, pre-prepared kebabs and burger patties, free-range chicken and steaks.  For something extra special, be sure to check out the butchery’s aged-meat cabinet.  While you’re there you can also pick up beautiful Rachel Scott bread, and a great range of cold meats for a pre-dinner antipasto platter.

These purveyors of meat are uncompromising in their commitment to quality and maintain a clear paddock-to-plate policy so can tell you exactly where each cut has come from.

If you want to know the provenance of your produce then you don't have to look very far. Euro Gourmet Meats is owned and run by Jacqui and Spencer Johnstone from Cressy Farm, producers of premium, free farmed pork in Greendale. You can trace their other meats directly back to the pasture - the grass-fed beef, lamb and hogget come from Harris Meats in Cheviot.

Cashmere Cuisine offers an authentic butchery experience which is why it is so well supported by the local community.  Come Saturday there are queues out the door of customers lining up for their fix of fine cuts and small meaty goods.

This boutique butchery on Colombo Street is run by Kurt Robinson who's philosophy is to keep the art of butchery alive by offering the best quality cuts of meat produced using ancient butchering skills and slow aging processes. Wanting to see things done the right way, Cashmere Cuisine only uses meat from happy and healthy animals which have been free to roam.

A trustworthy name in organic butchery, Banfields of Beckenham, prove that organic, free range meat is affordable, as you don't need to dig deep to buy their great range of cuts. 

The butchery has an anti-preservative stance towards meat production and is only interested in quality meat from humanely treated animals. They also process the whole carcass at Banfields. This means if you want a whole side of beef you can have it, or if you want bones for your homemade broth or fat to render down, you can have that too.

If you’re after some fish and seafood for your summer barbeque, look no further than Riccarton Road’s Theo’s Fisheries. Theo’s is undoubtedly the city’s best supplier of fresh fish and seafood – the range is extensive and the quality is exceptional. The friendly staff will help you decide what fish and seafood are best for your barbie, and will happily pass on their cooking tips. Theo’s has a great range of whole fish, which the staff will happily prepare for you so that you can throw a whole fish straight on the barbeque.

A family idea, Punky Brewster stands to serve the good beer drinking people of Christchurch with some of the best brews on offer. Functioning both as a FYO (fill your own) and a bottle and can supplier, the fillery can top up your riggers or empty bottles while advising the next best choice from the eclectic mix of both national and international brewers on tap.

Wine connoisseurs or those just getting used to the taste of a fine wine will find satisfaction here in the aisles of carefully selected bottles from some of the best wine making regions in the world. From the classic wine regions of Europe, South Africa, USA, South America, Australia and, of course, New Zealand, the team at Vino Fino are dedicated to making sure your next glass is full of only the finest, while being happy to cater to all budgets and requirements too.

A wine and micro fromage shop in an unassuming Riccarton location, Decant Vintners and Epicures sells wine from across Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

The range of European wine here is extensive, and luckily for us, comes in a range of prices, competitive with the supermarkets and liquor stores around town. It's wine without the pretension at Decant. If French cheese is your thing, Decant has one of the largest selections in Christchurch. They have at least 20 varieties in rotation at any one time, so you'll never be short of options.

Not surprisingly this specialist store serves up some of the best scotch around, and if you’re wanting to shop by region or style, distillery or brand, there’s a whisky for everyone and plenty of advice at hand if you’re unsure of what drop you want. A family owned and operated business that specialises in selecting, importing and distributing some of the best whiskys (and other spirits) from around the world, means there’s plenty of choice here and with the ability to sample, Whisky Galore is the kind of shop to visit when you have time on your hands. You’ll want to linger.

This specialist library may not have paperbacks on the shelves, but there’s a heap of history and knowledge in the form of bottled goods instead. Started in 2014 after a futile search in Christchurch for a place to buy high-quality craft beer, owner Garth Peterson built The Beer Library to be not only a place to fill up, but also connect and engage with a community of beer lovers. The store sells beer, wine, cider and spirit by the bottle but also encourages you to bring in your own flagon, rigger, growler or simply any vessel that’s clean and ‘has a lid’. They also offer nationwide delivery with same day service within Christchurch.

This ‘fillery’ is based just metres from where the Brew Moon magic happen at its Amberley distillery. Here, 16 taps pour the freshest possible home brand beers. Everything from the Moon’s fresh and light raspberry-infused blonde ale to the ever-popular IPAs and rich, dark Belgian Strong Ale. Staff love to be quizzed on their brews, and charge $3 less if you bring your own reusable vessel.

One of the city’s coolest little pubs also has a very cool four tap rigger filler in its brewery. Here, the taps are pouring Beer Baroness when the brewery is open, loosely midday to 5pm on weekdays and a few hours on a Saturday.

Those seeking the fresh pours for home are asked to “just ring the bell” so Cameron the brewer can help you out. Cameron will also let you in on some insider brewing info and give you a glimpse of what goes into the fresh brew you’re about to drink straight from the source.

Three Boys Brewery has been offering rigger and growler fills direct from the brewery since 2013. Currently they have up to ten ever changing options of brewery fresh beer straight from the door to customers’ bottles - preferably non-plastic ones. The boys (and girls) at Three Boys suggest bringing in glass or stainless steel bottles, and even have some available there for purchase.