It seems I am becoming a bit of a serial-shopper since the wholefood retailer Macro has opened in Mona Vale, a northern beachside suburb of Sydney close to where I live. I even made it to the opening on October 30th when after trading for its first day the shop and cafe hosted an official function attended by local councillors, media and other invited guests.

As part of the formalities Macro Executive Chairman Pierce Cody welcomed the group which included MP Bronwyn Bishop. He proudly reminded us that this store is one of several now operating in Sydney. The others are at Crows Nest, Hornsby (where I also attended the opening a few months ago) and Bondi Junction, as well as a Macro Cafe at Newtown. 

Unable to leave this place alone, it seems, a few days later there I was again, checking which producers’ names I recognized from my involvement with regional food and our website www.australianregionalfoodguide.com

In the dairy cabinet at the back of the shop of course I found Jannei Goat Dairy cheeses, Meredith Sheep Dairy products, Quigley Smokehouse, Woodside Cheeses, 180 Acres and many more. On the shelves were Brookfarm macadamia oils and mueslis, Cabonne Country Honey, racks of a wide range of sourdough breads, Herbie’s Spices, olive oils from many producers including Island Olive Grove, Melrose Oils, Gwydir Grove and Rylstone Olive Press, as well as hundreds more organic, biodynamic and just plain good-for-you products.

Then today I returned to meet a friend for coffee in the cafe at the front of the shop which serves excellent organic Fairtrade coffee and some truly delicious-looking brownies, salads and light meals. Then we took a slow tour of each aisle noticing the full fruit and vegetable section as well as a huge range of organic and natural products suitable for the home and garden, as well as baby products and even items for pet care.

It’s exciting to see places like Macro growing and expanding. It shows that people are becoming more aware of the importance of eating sensibly, but also eating well,  and if I can judge from the buzz in the store today, they’re enjoying it immensely.

Me? Maybe there’s a good chance I’ll develop into a ‘cereal-shopper’, given all those farro, amaranth, quinoa, kamut and spelt pastas and breads I saw today.

Macro Wholefoods Market, 12-14 Park Street, Mona Vale, www.macrowholefoods.com.au, 02 8401 8222.