Harvest has been open in Bristol and Bath for about 30 years now, and both shops have a huge reputation for quality and variety. The Harvest shops are also the retail branch of Essential Trading, which many of you will know is a massive Bristol-based UK distributor of whole foods (and also sponsor of many worthy caused including The Big Issue and the Bristol Vegan fayre). With a growing range of fresh and organic produce, as well as organic and vegan alcohol, basics, staples, groceries and luxuries, as well as snacks, savouries and fresh bread, Harvest removes the need for supermarkets at a stroke. Now where else can you get a tin of braised tofu when you need one, I ask you.

Ruth, who has been working in the Bristol shop now for a couple of years, gives us a quick insight into working in Harvest.

What’s it like working in Harvest? Excellent.

Busy recently? Yes, very.

Noticed any new trends? Loads of aduki beans …. And other basics.

Which vegan products are shifting right now? Milk alternatives as always especially the vegan cheeses and soya milk.

What’s the most innovative vegan product on the market today? That’s a hard one to answer ….. So many.

What’s your favourite part of the day? Chatting to the regulars, they are lovely and we are lucky to have them.

And the least favourite? That would be the cleaning, seems never ending but important to maintain.

Favourite in store music? Well we all have very eclectic tastes so it depends on the mood really.

What would you like to see next in terms of new vegan products? They are already so many great vegan products………

Best thing about where you work? We are a worker’s co-operative so it’s all about teamwork, and we have a great bunch of people working here. Ad we are an ethical company which is a great thing to be involved

Harvest - Best wholefood shops.