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Shopping the eco-friendly way at Drogheda’s My little Jar refill store

Developer4 years ago06 mins

Why do we have to buy shrink wrapped cucumbers? Or plastic boxes containing two cakes when we only want one?

These and other issues about our food may seem like small annoyances but put them together and up you end up with mountains of wasted food and large amounts of needless plastic which is destroying the environment.

Add in the cost of flying these foods across continents and – well you know where we’ve ended up, struggling to save the planet.

Issues such as these were in the mind of Carole Faller during the Coronavirus lockdowns and she decided she would do her bit to improve matters.

Carole is a French lady who moved to Ireland with her husband Thomas seven years ago and worked initially as recruiter with a large software company.

“I was really enjoying my job a lot” Carole told Drogheda Life. “But in summer 2020, I decided to give a twist to my life and to start a totally new adventure!

“I always really liked the idea to have a nice little store, promoting good, organic and nicely made products.

Wouldn’t it be nice, she thought, if there was somewhere local you could buy good wholesome food in eco-friendly packets, bottles or tubs without it costing you a fortune?

Her project, she called it My little Jar, was born. My little Jar is a refill store at Wheaton Hall which offers a new and ecologically friendly way for customers do buy their groceries.

All the products come loose and unpackaged so customers can buy only what they need, which is ideal for small families or when it comes to trying a new recipe. You can bring your own containers or bring your purchases home in recyclable paper bags.

Drogheda Life called in to My little Jar last Saturday when the rain was pouring down. It was a wonderfully welcoming sight to see all of the produce displayed so lovingly.

Just as the produce and packaging at My little Jar is ecologically friendly the greeting from Carole was equally friendly.

You might think that eco-friendly food implies plain and boring but you’d be so wide of the mark. I’d really recommend a visit, I was enthralled with the variety of the produce.

*Some of the products on sale at My Little Jar.*

Here you will find a mix between French products (biscuits, jams, crackers, pasta, face wipes, toothbrushes… and so many more) and Irish products (candles made by Vanessa in Wheaton hall, local DROGHEDA’S honey, bee wraps made by kaori (bee natural), irish kombucha … and many more to discover in store.

“Some of the food is organic, some is vegan, and some is coeliac friendly or gluten free… The last addition is that now you can order French pastries (made by Merci Beaucoup Cakes) directly at the boutique!” says Carole. “I’m determined to offer top quality and each product and supplier are sourced with care.”

Some of the products you can find at My little Jar include: Rice, Pasta, Cereal, Grains, Pulses, Flour, Oil, Coffee, Tea, Syrup, Honey, Jam, Nuts, Dried fruits, Jellies, Sugar, Biscuits, Crackers, Chocolate, Spices, Superfood, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Spread and Granola.

Also available are eco-friendly items such as laundry powder, kitchen soap, stainless steel bottles, straw, bamboo cutlery, bee wraps, plates covers, kitchen towels, sponges, face wipes, body soap, shampoo and conditioner, wooden toothbrushes, greetings card to plant, fabric gift wrapping or gift pouches…