As a stay-at-home mum passionate about healthy cooking and sustainability, she knew she wasn’t alone in wanting better options. So, in January 2020, she stopped searching and started something of her own – Foundation Bulk Food Store.

Some businesses exist to sell; others exist to serve. Foundation Bulk Food Store is firmly in the latter camp. Born from a need for something better—healthier options, less waste, real connections—Nicola opened her store, creating a space where sustainability isn’t just a trend, but a way of life. This isn’t just about filling your pantry; it’s about choosing quality over convenience, values over volume, and community over corporations.

Every jar refilled, every scoop measured, and every thoughtful purchase supports local farmers, ethical producers, and a future with less plastic waste. When you shop at Foundation Bulk Food Store, you’re not just buying food—you’re investing in a healthier planet, a stronger local economy, and a more connected way of living.

With over 800 products on offer, Foundation Bulk Food Store makes sustainable grocery shopping worthwhile. Some of their most beloved products are below.

The Everyday Heroes. What Keeps This Community Coming Back. These are the staples that customers rely on week in, week out—products that offer both nourishment and quality:

• Acai Bowls – We are not mincing words. The Acai Bowls here are legendary—nothing else within an 80km radius compares. Why? Because the quality of the ingredients (what goes in) far exceeds anything else. A community favourite, bursting with superfood goodness.
• Dark Chocolate Liquorice – The guilty pleasure that doesn’t feel too guilty. Sweet, chewy, and dangerously moreish.
• Aussie Walnuts – Fresh, locally sourced, and packed with goodness. If you think walnuts are just for baking, think again.
• Local Honey – Liquid gold from the best bees in the business. Drizzle it, spoon it, or just eat it straight from the jar (no judgment here).
• Local Olive Oil – Smooth, rich, and the heart of any decent kitchen. Trust us, your salads and sourdough will thank you.
• Aussie Oats – Not all oats are created equal. These are the real deal—hearty, wholesome, and perfect for a nourishing breakfast.
• Little Rebel Coffee – Small batch, big flavour. Your morning ritual just got an upgrade.
• Granola – Crunchy, golden, and made with love. Breakfast should never be boring.
• Maple Syrup – Pure, rich, and perfect for drowning pancakes, waffles, or even your existential crises.
• Seeds (Mainly Chia) – Tiny but mighty. These little nutritional powerhouses work hard in smoothies, baking, or a good overnight pudding.
• Dark Choc Turmeric Walnuts – The why didn’t I think of that snack. Sweet, earthy, and packed with all the good stuff.
• Medicinal Mushroom Powders – Not the kind that’ll make you see colours, but the kind that’ll have you feeling like a Zen master in no time.
• Cold-Pressed Juices – Made from real fruit, real veg, and none of the unnecessary extras. Freshness bottled.

The Crowd Favourites: The Most Sought-After Goods. These are the products that fly off the shelves—because once you’ve tried them, there’s no going back:

• Acai Bowls – So good they made the list twice. That should tell you everything.
  Local Honey – A repeat offender on this list, because once you taste it, there’s no going back.
• Peanut Butter – The only decision here is crunchy or smooth (we won’t judge… much).
• Cold-Pressed Juices – When hydration meets nutrition, good things happen.
• Flying’ Fox Ice Blocks – Cool, refreshing, and made with real fruit. Nostalgic summer vibes in every bite.
• Kombucha – Your gut’s best friend, fizzing with natural probiotics and full of flavour.
• Celtic Sea Salt – The secret weapon of every great cook. More than just seasoning—this is flavour elevation.
• Free-Range Eggs – Happy hens = better eggs. Simple as that.
• Cleaning Products (Dishwashing & Laundry Liquids, Dishwasher & Laundry Powder) – Sustainable, refillable, and effective. Because clean should feel good, not chemical-laden.
• Aussie Oats – Making another appearance because good oats deserve the spotlight.
• Local Olive Oil – Because the best meals start with the best ingredients.
• Elevate Elixir (Adaptogenic Hot Choc Powder) – A hug in a mug, but with extra wellness benefits.
• Recipe Jars and Bags – Everything you need to whip up something delicious, minus the hassle.
• Nuts (Walnut, Brazil & Cashew Mainly) – Snack-able, bake-able, and packed with nutrition.
• Bakers Flour – Because nothing beats the smell of fresh bread from your own oven.
• Epsom Salts – Soak away your worries. Your muscles (and mind) will thank you.

Why the Foundation Bulk Food Store Matters?

Shopping small isn’t just about supporting a local business—it’s about backing a way of life that values health, sustainability, and community.

In a world where mass production and plastic waste dominate, stores like Foundation Bulk Food Store offer a much-needed alternative. Every purchase here supports local growers, keeps money in the community, and helps reduce landfill. It’s about choosing food that nourishes, products that protect the planet, and businesses that genuinely care.

Nicola didn’t open Foundation Bulk Food Store just to sell bulk goods. She opened it to offer a better way—one that’s better for your health, your budget, and the world we share.

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With all the ingredients to make it a magical weekender or permanent home surrounded by beaches, wineries, horse-riding trails and the nearby cafes and restaurants of Balnarring, the large level 1012sqm allotment provides plenty of privacy and a sunny rear deck to entertain and lawn for children to play.

Radiating an airy ambience and beachy chic with high raked ceilings and solid timber floors, the open-plan living and dining area with wood heater and atrium window overlooking the front garden is the spacious heart of the home with a well-appointed kitchen featuring a stainless steel wall oven, electric cooktop and dishwasher.

There is also a sunroom, three bedrooms and a bathroom downstairs, while two more bedrooms and a large third living area and balcony are located on the upper level.

With the warmth of natural timbers, split system air-conditioning, an outdoor shower to hose off the sand after a morning walk, carport and lock-up garage for all the beach toys, this is the ideal no-fuss holiday retreat in one of the peninsula’s most tightly held beachside areas.  

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Whilst showing Clydesdales, the Paton family was introduced to the world of hunting, and it became a passion of theirs for over 15 years.  As Secretary of Melbourne Hunt for 12 years and Vice-President of the Merricks Saddle Club, Blane was actively involved with both horses and the community in a deep and meaningful way.  His father was a councillor for 24 years, so as a family they have been involved with the Mornington Peninsula for half a century.

When Blane joined the family business in the late 1970s, they shifted from dairy farming to exporting Anglo-Nubian (milking) goats all over the world, and they currently have a small herd of Boer (meat) goats.  They also started breeding Angus cattle more than 25 years ago before becoming quite passionate about a Canadian breed of cattle called Speckle Park. Blane has travelled to Canada and the New Zealand purchasing embryos and semen to build their breeding program.  Of the 40 acres they have at the moment, 80% would be dedicated the cattle and the rest is for the goats and gracious homestead.

In the late 1970s Blane and his family planted 10 acres of leucadendrons (part of the protea family, a South African native) which made them the second largest grower in the country. When new government laws made it unprofitable to continue, they decided to pull up to 5000 leucadendrons.  Says Blane, “I dug every single one of the holes for those plants, 5000 holes.  It made good money for a while, and then there was no more money in it.  That’s farming.”

According to Blane, there’s around 136,000 hectares of green wedge land on the Mornington Peninsula, and the area has around 2000 recreational farmers.  That’s not to say they aren’t professional, accomplished farmers, but their principle income source is not derived from agriculture. Unfortunately less than 3% make a profit (and they are the poultry farmers and market growers). Says Blane, “It’s an integral part of the way we live.  Without farmers, the whole ambience of the area would disappear.  There wouldn’t be goats and cattle and horses.   Grazing on the Peninsula is a labour of love, and essential for capital growth.  Victorian farmers are really land speculators.  We work the land and maintain it.  Farming keeps the land in good condition – it keeps it healthy, safe and picturesque.”

Blane’s role in the rural real estate market sees him operating in an advisory capacity.  As the dominant agent in rural sales and lifestyle properties in the area, Blane and his team are the go-to Agents for farming advice.  If you want someone to make your hay or do your fencing or you want to know where to buy a particular breed of cow or how to put in a bore, talk to Paton Estate Agents.  Their approach to business is holistic, reminiscent of old school Stock and Station agents.

“Farming is in my blood,” explains Blane.  “I was out last night working at 7 o’clock getting rained on and I was out there at 6.30am with the morning sun.  At times I wonder why I do it, but it keeps me grounded and it keeps me interested in what I do.  I love the land. As a farm boy it was ingrained into me that I don’t own the land, I’m just looking after it.  At some stage, whether it be to my family or someone else, somebody will live here and they will know that we worked the land and looked after it.  You never finish working the land, it’s a continuing story.”

http://www.patonestate.com.au

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