LOCAL HEROES

from Southsea Lifestyle April / May 2023

THE CARPET CAVERN

Jim Harbridge of Herbies Health Store talks about their increasing range of local products

‘Although we stock a large selection of health foods and products by major suppliers, we also take a pride in selling goods from local producers, from coffee, cashew snacks, chocolate, vegan cup cakes and pies and even vegan crackling – all made in and around Portsmouth,’ explained Jim. ‘Some of our local suppliers are very small, Oshi for example is a young man who keeps 4 hens, that lay about boxes of eggs a week. While other producers are continually developing, Spice Island chilli sauces, are well known in the city, they started in a small way, but now sell their products all over the UK. Another popular local brand is Oud Island, producing uni-sex natural perfumes, which have been endorsed by sports stars and celebrities. Or how about Bubblehead Barista, who supply us with coffee (both beans and ground), sold in a reuse-able, re-fillable cartons. While Southsea Chocolate only use cocoa from sustainable suppliers, with packaging that’s fully recyclable.

Looking ahead, we are keen to begin selling organic fruit and veg and working with local suppliers as far as possible.

I love finding good quality, sustainable local products and customers love to support local manufacturers. It’s also something that distinguishes us from supermarkets who rarely stock products in their locality, but with so much concern over food miles and wasteful packaging, this may well be something that changes in time. I like to think we are leading the way’, said Jim with a smile.

241 Albert Road, Southsea PO4 0JR tel: 02392 753458 email: jim@herbieshealthstore.co.uk herbieshealthstore