Liam AndersonEating healthy is the hardest thing to do sometimes. At least, it is for me. Between my (slightly out-of-hand) coffee habit and general confusion over what counts as a superfood, I’m definitely not an expert.
But I’ve found a handful of great health food stores in Vancouver that make it easier to stay on track. They’ve helped me stock up on supplements and even replace a few guilty pleasures with smarter choices (emphasis on few).
If you’re trying to eat cleaner without losing your mind or your paycheck, these are the best health food stores in Vancouver that I personally go to every now and then.
1. The Source Bulk Foods Kitsilano
Address: 2699 W Broadway
Contact Details:+1 604-733-0177
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 10 AM to 7 PM
The Source is for anyone tired of tossing out mountains of plastic bags and wants to shop a little more mindfully. People show up with their own glass jars and paper bags at this store.
What keeps me coming back is the sheer selection. They offer over 450 bulk foods, including organic whole foods, healthy snacks, and sustainable goods.
I love their Source Specialty Coffee Beans, which they source from Colombia and Guatemala. They’re good—sweet from the berries, and have hints of caramel and milk chocolate.
Snack-wise, they have everything from trail mix to chocolate almonds. I dare you to walk past the high-protein nut seed mix full of almonds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, and more. I never can pass up getting a scoop for myself.
I also appreciate how helpful and knowledgeable the staff are. I just come up to them with recipe ideas and they help me find healthy alternatives for the ingredients I have in mind. Their website also has a good mix of easy-to-follow recipes.
My only heads-up is that shopping here does take a little more time than your average grocery run. You’ll need to weigh and tag your containers, and if it’s busy, you might have to wait your turn at the scale.
Clean and spacious bulk food store
“Very clean and spacious bulk food store with a variety of bulk foods to purchase in containers. You can bring your own containers to be weighed or use the paper bags provided. I finally found powdered laundry detergent that I wasn’t able to find anywhere else. Good concept and a great location within Kitsilano.“
–May Zhagro, Google Reviews
Love the variety they have
“My favourite place to do bulk shopping! I love the variety they have of both pantry staples like different types of flour, dry fruits and nuts, spices, and novelty snacks like seasoned nuts, granola, candies, even energy balls. To list everything would take too long, but it’s a better variety of bulk items than you will find in any mainstream grocery store. You can also get tap kombucha, soap, and oils and vinegars. Everything is clearly labelled with brand, ingredients, and nutritional information. You can bring your own containers and weigh them, or use paper bags provided. The staff is always friendly and happy to help, and they’ll usually let you sample the snacks before buying.”
–Dana Sullivan, Google Reviews
2. Popeye’s Supplements
Address: 2295 W Broadway
Contact Details: +1 604-731-2221
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 10 AM to 8 PM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 6 PM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 6 PM
If you’re the type who actually reads the nutrition facts, Popeye’s Supplements might be your new favorite store. You’ll spot all the big names you’ve seen on Instagram here.
The first time I walked in, I felt like I’d stumbled into a warehouse for fitness fanatics. There were rows upon rows of protein powder, energy drinks, and vitamins stacked like trophies on the shelves.
I’ll admit, the sheer number of options can make your head spin if you’re new to supplements.
But instead of leaving you to fend for yourself, the staff actually come to help. They ask if you’re training for endurance, bulking up, or just trying to find a protein powder that won’t upset your stomach.
I’ve had more than one conversation about the pros and cons of plant-based versus whey proteins, and not once did I feel like I was being pushed towards the most expensive tub on the shelf.
Besides, if you change your mind, you can bring it back. Even better, if you spot a better price somewhere else, they’ll match it on the spot.
Amazing customer service
“Amazing customer service !! They helped me find what I was looking for. Will be coming back.”
–Carmina Picazo, Google Reviews
Product variety and prices are very good
“Great experience shopping here! Staff was very friendly, knowledgeable, and answered my questions. Product variety and prices are very good too. Will keep coming back :D”
–Lucia Valenzuela, Google Reviews
3. Harvest Community Foods
Address: 243 Union St
Contact Details: +1 604-682-8851
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 12 PM to 6:30 PM
Harvest is a place you’ll want on your radar if you’re the kind of person who gets excited about discovering what’s fresh and in season.
They have a special produce program that happens every Thursday called CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), where Harvest packages some of the latest fresh produce into a ready-to-go bundle of groceries for you.
The produce is picked at random, so you’ll never know what you get. I tried it for one week and ended up with a bunch of purple carrots, hakurei turnips, fresh basil, and tomatoes that tasted like they were straight from the garden.
The weekly recipe tucked into the bag is awesome, especially when you’re staring at a knobby root and wondering if you’re supposed to roast it or mash it. Regular shoppers look forward to that slip of paper almost as much as the veggies themselves.
Ordering is easy—you can call them or order it through their email online. Just don’t wait until Tuesday afternoon because spots fill up fast.
And fair warning: Thursday evenings get a little crowded with everyone picking up their CSA bags.
Has a great selection of grocery items and pantry staples
“Harvest Community Foods has a great selection of grocery items and pantry staples! Especially local finds like our Grandpa J’s- Greko Lemon a perfect seasoning to make Greek Lemon Roast Potatoes at home. The menu looks amazing for a lunch too! Such an impressive yet adorably quaint spot!”
–Grandpa J’s Seasoning Inc, Google Reviews
Lot of cool and unique pantry and grocery items
“Hands down, the best vegetarian/vegan udon and ramen options I’ve found in the city. It’s a small spot, but has a lot of cool and unique pantry and grocery items for purchase too.”
–Mitch V, Google Reviews
4. The Grainry
Address: 1689 Johnston St
Contact Details: +1 604-681-6426
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 6 PM
Anyone who loves filling their kitchen with things they can’t find at the average supermarket will find their happy place at The Grainry.
I love how everything is clearly labelled, which gives the place a well-stocked pantry vibe.
The shelves are packed with everything from dried apricots to jars of wildflower honey and fresh bags of handmade Italian pasta.
One of my favorite finds? Real deal Sri Lankan cinnamon. It’s sweet, almost citrusy, and perfect for those morning oats.
I’ve also spotted little bags of juniper berries and their house-blended za’atar, though I’ll warn you some of their specialty spices come with that expensive price tag.
The Grainry staff is also on top of things. I love that they’re not just there to ring you up. They’ll happily geek out with you over the difference between spices or help you choose the right products. I always leave with a new tip or recipe idea.
Awesome little hidden gem
“Awesome little hidden gem in Granville Island. Unlike most places, not ever priced and they have so many products that are impossible to find anywhere else. I go nowhere else when I am looking to spice up my recipes!”
–J B, Google Reviews
You can buy most types of grains, seeds, nuts, spices, etc.
“The Grainry is one of my favourite places to pick up bulk food items at Granville Island. The staff is super helpful. You can buy most types of grains, seeds, nuts, spices, etc. here, especially some that are harder to find at supermarkets. Pre-pandemic, it was great since I could bring all of my own bags to fill and have close to zero waste. Now with the pandemic, the staff have been as accommodating as possible to fill orders (in their bags) as you list off items from your shopping list. This place is run by a family with more than one generation serving their customers. They are also great at making recommendations and answering questions”
–T M, Google Reviews
5. Tama Organic Life
Address: 2828 E Hastings St #102
Contact Details: +1 778-379-6322
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday to Saturday – 9:30 AM to 6 PM
- Sunday to Tuesday – 9:30 AM to 4 PM
If you’re searching for Japanese ingredients, Tama is a spot you’ll want to return to again and again.
Inside, you’ll spot crates of kabu—those delicate white turnips you usually only see in Japanese cookbooks—alongside bundles of Wasabina from Uminami Farm.
For those not in the know, Wasabina is like a mustard green with a wasabi-like flavor.
I’ve also seen purple garlic bulbs, bags of dried daikon, and crunchy kale crackers that aren’t too bad.
That aside, the real draw for me is the vegan bento boxes lined up behind the counter. Each one is made up of what’s in season—crisp vegetables and nothing drowned in sauce or down at all.
They’re only available Tuesday through Sunday, and if you don’t get there early, you’ll probably miss out.
That said, the shop itself is snug. There’s hardly enough room to browse without bumping elbows.
My go to place for local and organic things
“My go to place for local and organic things. The owner sources from local farmers and they have fresh Asian produce some of which I’ve not seen before! The owner and staff are always so sweet and helpful. A very personable shopping experience. I first shopped their store when it was in North Vancouver. I’m so happy they are walking distance for me now.”
–Maximillan Maximillan, Google Reviews
They have lots of interesting and healthy items
“This place is lovely! They have lots of interesting and healthy items. Especially healthy foods ready to eat like smoothies, wraps, and specialty other stuff.
The other day they had someone playing guitar and being fun, I really enjoyed that. It is like a grocery store. They sell groceries. I wish the google maps search for “grocery” displayed them. So, I’m trying to make that work! Grocery groceries”
–Jesse Harkness, Google Reviews
