The Natural Food Market sells healthy foods, with a focus on whole foods. Produce is sourced as locally as possible, with a focus on seasonality and freshness. They stock both organically certified produce, as well as produce that follows the similar principles (including no preservatives, no added sugar, no numbers, ethically produced, and clear labelling of where it is grown or produced) but has not been certified.

The range of food includes: fresh, seasonal, organically certified fruit and vegetables; dried goods (pulses, wholegrains, seeds, nuts and dried fruits); various flours; teas & coffees, spreads & condiments; both gluten and gluten-free breads; and refrigerated cabinets full of dairy, tofu, meats & drinks (such as kombucha).

There are no plastic bags in the shop and customers are encouraged to bring their own containers. There is a boomerang bags dispenser for those who’ve forgotten to bring their own.

What separates the Organic Empire from the majority of other home delivery services is their unique farm to door service. They are committed to connecting communities with local farmers, artisans and food producers. Fresher foods, fair trade for farmers, better for the environment and better for your health. Their values centre on:

1. Sustainability: they only harvest and order what you order; they re-use their delivery boxes.

2. Local: much of their produce and groceries is sourced from local farmers and producers and both parties know each other.

3. Organic: most of their produce is either Certified Organic or Certified Biodynamic. Where not, it is still grown without any artificial chemicals, pesticides, herbicides or insecticides.

4. Convenience: You can shop online 24 hours a day, at whatever time is easiest for you, or place an order to have a box delivered each week.

5. Community: they promote community by empowering people to eat well through healthy life giving recipes, teaching the skills of food production from their own farm and promoting health with education.

6. Price: their priority is to make organics accessible to all, delivering the highest quality organic produce at the best available price.

The Rivers of Yarrambat garden centre includes both a cafe and a farm shop.

The cafe is open for breakfast, lunch, morning and afternoon tea every day, 8.30am-4pm. Bookings are recommended.

The shop, which is co-located with the cafe, sells an extensive range of local products.