Frequently Asked Questions

About Graina

What is Graina?

Graina is a zero-waste bulk food store based in Melbourne, Australia. Founded in 2015 by Rohan and Parul, the first store opened in Moonee Ponds in May 2016. Graina offers over 500 organic and conventional, package-free products across food and non-food categories — from nuts and seeds to eco cleaning products. The store operates on a "scoop and weigh" model where customers buy exactly the amount they need, reducing both food waste and plastic packaging. Graina also delivers Australia-wide.

What does "Goodness in Grams" mean?

"Goodness in Grams" is Graina's tagline. It reflects the core philosophy of buying quality, products in exactly the quantity you need — measured by the gram. Instead of being forced to buy pre-packaged amounts, customers scoop what they need, so there's no waste and no unnecessary packaging. It's goodness for your body and goodness for the planet, one gram at a time.

Who founded Graina and why?

Graina was founded by Rohan and Parul, two immigrants who now call Australia home. They were frustrated by the amount of single-use plastic waste generated from everyday grocery shopping. With Australian households contributing approximately 1.2 million tonnes of plastic to landfill annually — and only 9% being recycled — they set out to create a better alternative. Graina's mission is to "Make Sustainable Living Easy" by offering plastic-free grocery shopping that doesn't compromise on product quality or convenience.

Where are Graina's stores located?

Graina has a physical store in Melbourne, Australia:

• Moonee Ponds Central — the original store, open since May 2015

The store offers the full scoop-and-weigh experience where customers can bring their own containers or use the biodegradable bags provided in-store.

Products

What products does Graina sell?

Graina stocks over 500 products across 12+ categories:

• Food: Nuts and seeds, grains and rice, organic flours (including gluten-free), lentils and legumes, pasta, dried fruits, spices and herbs, baking ingredients, oils and vinegars, snacks and sweets, muesli and granola (keto, paleo, and vegan options), loose leaf teas, premium chocolates, superfood powders, and raw sugars
• Non-food: Eco cleaning products, personal care items (soaps, shampoo bars), laundry detergent, and supplements
• Gifts: Curated grazing boxes and gift hampers

The full range is available to browse at graina.com.au/collections/all.

Does Graina sell organic products?

Yes. Graina carries over 120 certified organic products across multiple categories. Organic items are clearly tagged in-store and online. The range includes organic nuts, seeds, flours, grains, rice, pasta, muesli, teas, spices, and superfood powders. Graina prioritises Australian-grown and organic-certified ingredients wherever possible. You can browse the full organic range at graina.com.au/collections/organic-products.

Does Graina have gluten-free products?

Yes. Graina offers over 184 gluten-free products, including gluten-free flours, snacks, grains, muesli, and baking ingredients. These are labelled online and in-store for easy identification. Browse the full range at graina.com.au/collections/all and filter by "Gluten Free".

Does Graina have vegan products?

Yes. Over 330 of Graina's products are vegan-friendly, making up the majority of the range. This includes nuts, seeds, grains, legumes, dried fruits, plant mylk ingredients, superfood powders, snacks, and eco cleaning products. Browse the vegan range at graina.com.au/collections/vegan-range.

Shopping Experience

How does zero-waste shopping work at Graina?

Shopping at Graina is simple:

1. Bring your own containers — jars, bags, or any reusable container. Staff will weigh your empty container first (tare weight) so you only pay for the product.
2. Scoop what you need — use the scoops and dispensers to fill your container with exactly the amount you want, from 100 grams to several kilograms.
3. Weigh and pay — products are priced per kilogram. You pay only for what you take.

If you forget your containers, Graina provides biodegradable bags in-store. There's no minimum purchase and no packaging waste.

Can I bring my own containers to Graina?

Absolutely — bringing your own containers (BYO) is encouraged and is the whole point of shopping at Graina. You can bring glass jars, cloth bags, tupperware, or any clean reusable container. Staff will tare (zero out) the weight of your container before you fill it, so you only pay for the product inside. If you don't have containers with you, biodegradable bags are available in-store at no extra charge.

How is Graina different from The Source Bulk Foods?

While both are bulk food retailers, there are key differences:

• Ownership: Graina is 100% family-owned and independently operated by its founders Rohan and Parul. The Source Bulk Foods is a franchise chain with 50+ locations across Australia.
• Online delivery: Graina delivers Australia-wide with 100% plastic-free packaging (biodegradable or glass). Not all The Source locations offer online delivery.
• Store design: Graina stores have a modern, minimalist aesthetic with a clean teal-and-white colour palette. The Source stores typically feature a rustic look with exposed brick and timber.
• Focus: Graina prioritises Australian-grown and organic-certified products, with over 120 certified organic items in the range.

Online Ordering and Delivery

Does Graina deliver Australia-wide?

Yes. Graina delivers to all Australian states and territories, including regional and remote areas. Orders are shipped from Melbourne. Free shipping is available for orders over $50 within Melbourne and over $99 for the rest of Australia (up to 10kg). All online orders are packaged using 100% plastic-free materials — either biodegradable bags or glass jars.

What are Graina's shipping costs and delivery times?

Graina offers the following shipping options:

• Melbourne metro: Free shipping on orders over $50
• Australia-wide: Free shipping on orders over $99 (up to 10kg)
• Orders under the free shipping threshold: Flat-rate shipping fees apply based on weight and destination

Delivery times vary by location. Melbourne orders typically arrive within 2–5 business days. Interstate orders may take 5–10 business days depending on the destination. For full details, visit graina.com.au/pages/shipping-graina.

How does Graina package online orders?

All online orders are packaged using 100% decomposable packaging material. Products are packed in bags or reusable glass jars, and shipped in recyclable cardboard boxes. This is one of Graina's key differentiators — many bulk food retailers still use plastic bags or plastic-lined packaging for online orders. Graina's commitment to plastic-free delivery extends to every component of the packaging.

Sustainability

How does Graina reduce plastic waste?

Graina tackles plastic waste in three ways:

• In-store: The scoop-and-weigh model means no pre-packaged products. Customers bring their own containers or use the biodegradable bags provided, eliminating single-use plastic at the point of purchase.
• Online: All deliveries use 100% decomposable packaging — biodegradable bags, glass jars, and recyclable cardboard boxes. No plastic tape, no plastic fill, no plastic bags.
• Supply chain: Graina works with suppliers who provide products in bulk format, reducing the total amount of packaging that enters the supply chain compared to individually-wrapped retail products.

How does buying in bulk reduce food waste?

Traditional grocery shopping forces you to buy pre-set quantities — a 500g bag of almonds when you only need 200g, or a full packet of spice when you need a tablespoon. At Graina, you scoop exactly what you need. This means less food sitting unused in your pantry, less food expiring before you can eat it, and less money spent on quantities you don't need. Buying in bulk by weight is one of the simplest ways to reduce household food waste.

Pricing and Value

Is buying in bulk cheaper than supermarket shopping?

In most cases, yes. Bulk buying at Graina is competitively priced on a per-kilogram basis compared to supermarket health food sections. You also save money by buying only the amount you need — no paying for excess packaging, no buying more than you'll use. Products like nuts, seeds, spices, and flours are often significantly cheaper per kilo in bulk compared to pre-packaged supermarket equivalents, especially for organic and specialty items.

Does Graina have a loyalty program?

Yes, Graina runs a customer loyalty program that rewards repeat purchases. Details about the current rewards structure, points earning, and redemption are available in-store and on the website.