Unicorn Grocery (a Manchester vegan food co-op)

If you’re feeling discouraged at all the big supermarkets selling animal products, take heart. There are only a few at present, but the world does indeed have a few all-vegan supermarkets! Let’s take a look, for inspiration.

Unicorn Grocery (Manchester, England) is a thriving food co-operative that is owned by its staff (who get paid a real living wage). All items are vegan (2500 foods) and fresh produce is from its own farm.

And the good news is that Unicorn Grocery has a free Grow a Grocery guide to bring the same to your town!

It also offers organic beers and eco-refillable beauty and household items, sold in plastic-free packaging. Salads and olives are sold in reusable tubs, and there’s even a soup cup deposit scheme.

Get discounts with the loyalty card. Prices are very good (due to no shareholders and most produce is local). A few items cost more (like homemade organic flapjack). The ‘Good Stuff’ apple logo indicates favourite companies.

If buying plants or flowers, read up on pet-friendly gardens to know what to avoid. For tinned foods, rinse/remove lids (or pop ring-pulls over holes) then step on cans to pinch the inner rims together, to avoid wildlife getting trapped at recycling points.