FEATURES • DESTINATIONS
Transforming Trade:
Alive Wholefoods' Path
to Better Consumption
January 2025
Words & Photography by The Punch
Located in Canggu, Umalas, and Kedungu, Alive Wholefoods, guided by Naomi McDougall and her partner Billy Tymoszuk, isn’t your run-of-the-mill grocery store–it’s a thoughtfully curated destination for the health-conscious. This modern marketplace not only trades in organic produce but also embraces a strong commitment to environmental preservation by sourcing from local organic farms and reducing waste through deliberate packaging choices. Every collaboration, whether with artisans or like-minded businesses, shows the team’s dedication to the community, demonstrating that there is power in numbers. It’s a fluid journey from seed to shelf that aligns with purpose and care.
Alive’s values account for something and reach further than the confines of its walls. Initiatives such as a reward system that encourages recycling and a partnership with Dungbeetle and Junglo reinforce their mission of supporting life-enhancing ecological balance. Additionally, their alliance with SOS Indonesia transforms what would be waste into daily meals for those in need, creating a regenerative cycle of giving.
A CURATED LOCAL SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
At Alive, commitment to quality is seen through all aspects of their work, combined with their dedication to supporting the local community, a devotion that only deepened after the trials of COVID-19. This challenging period strengthened their resolve to partner mostly with Bali-based suppliers, ensuring that every choice they make uplifts those closest to home. With a mindful and purposeful approach, plastic is minimized and replaced by jars, while most products are wrapped in banana leaves or paper packaging. Their overall focus lies in building connections with each customer through thoughtfully curated, low-impact products.
VALUES BEHIND PRODUCT SELECTION
It’s the thought behind every product selected at Alive, which finds joy in collaborating with people who share these principles, believing that meaningful partnerships are an essential part of their work. It’s not only about what’s on the shelf–it’s making sure that every item resonates with their core beliefs and high standards as it’s vital in community building. By choosing items that match their values, the store cultivates a space where conscious consumption thrives, inspiring customers to make informed choices.
AFFORDABLE FRESH AND ORGANIC PRODUCE
Keeping prices affordable is not a small feat, yet Alive embraces this challenge because its mission lies in its customers. They vigilantly monitor pricing while seeking feedback through thoughtful conversations and regular check-ins. This ongoing dialogue with customers acts like a lifeline that keeps the connection alive, making sure that every decision is made with the needs and voices of those they serve. By prioritizing accessibility, Alive strengthens the bonds within the community, encouraging a sense of belonging and shared responsibility for one another’s well-being.
BUILDING WITH PURPOSE
While the first three stores Alive acquired were already built, the commitment to sustainability still found expression in their partnership with Junglo and Dungbeetle, where they have already planted with two local schools, tearing up concrete and replacing it with trees native to Indonesia. Looking to the future with new stores on the horizon–one of which will be a blank canvas–they envision a collaboration with sustainable partners like Block Solutions, who make large Lego-like blocks out of recycled plastic. Such an approach highlights Alive’s dedication to aligning its values with the expansion of its product line and the foundation of its stores.
EMPOWERING LOCAL SUPPLIERS
Over the years, Alive has gently guided its suppliers to adopt optimal practices, such as the shift from plastic crates to woven baskets for deliveries–a gradual yet meaningful transformation. By selecting suppliers who provide the freshest, organic produce, the store reinforces that each step in the supply chain aligns with its dedication to quality offerings. These adjustments reflect Alive's vision, and with each interaction, the store encourages better consumption while reinforcing its relationships with suppliers.
TACKLING BALI'S WASTE CRISIS
Food waste is inevitable, but at Alive, they approach this challenge with care and creativity by reducing packaging and promoting reuse. They actively encourage home cooking, offering the return of bottles and jars. As a retailer, there’s an occasional twinge of guilt about their role in consumption, but Alive turns this into motivation to inspire. Their website and blog brim with meal ideas and recipes, while Instagram serves as a wellspring of healthy cooking inspiration.
Food that remains fresh yet loses its visual appeal finds new life in its kitchen, made into nourishing soups and juices. Much of their surplus is donated to SOS for meals, demonstrating their commitment to community empowerment. Alive also partners with Urban Compost, revitalizing soil that’s then returned to farmers, creating a cycle of renewal. Occasionally, leftovers are shared with staff, backing a sustainable culture. Alive succeeds in keeping its environmental footprint light by reusing jars and minimizing waste.
CUSTOMER AND COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY
As a business owner in Bali, Naomi feels a profound responsibility for the impact of what they provide and the legacy they leave behind. They aim to inspire customers to make better choices, reflect on the environmental consequences of their consumption, and practice mindfulness when it comes to waste.
Beyond that, Alive places great importance on educating their team about ethical practices, equipping them to actively contribute to making Bali a better place for future generations. Their vision goes much deeper than just consumption and sales; they are actively engaged with community efforts to ensure that the Bali they cherish today is even better for the children and grandchildren of tomorrow.
EXPLORE THE FULL STORY IN UNCOVERED BALI BOOK
Uncovered Bali is a collective project showcasing the sustainable journeys of carefully selected Bali businesses to a global audience. Each story highlights the unique impact these enterprises have on preserving Bali’s cultural and environmental heritage while driving positive change. Through this project, we aim to inspire global leaders, travelers, and communities to embrace more sustainable practices and appreciate the powerful role that local businesses play in shaping a better future.
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