Barnett's Wholefoods began in 1999, when Janet and Mike opened a small shop with a big vision: to give their community local, organic, fresh produce, and to do their best for both people and planet along the way. The shop started out of necessity, to feed their own family, after Mike lost his job for standing up for fair pay for the fishermen he worked with. It became an opportunity to make a positive difference in the world, and that is still how Janet runs the shop today.
With four young children in tow, and help from close friends and family, they opened their doors in the small town of Bantry in rural Ireland. Family and close friends often worked in the shop and sold their own produce from it. Barnett's didn't just offer organic food. It also stocked local produce from people they knew well, including fresh seaweed and mussels from Bantry Bay, organic meat from a local family run small holding called food with a face, and locally sourced favourites such as salad, pesto and eggs.
When the couple decided to move closer to family, Barnett's moved too, and it now has its home in Waterloo, Liverpool. Our shop has grown, but the heart of it hasn't changed. We still care about where our food comes from, and we still believe good food and kind choices can make the world a little better. Come and say hello. We'd love to meet you.