If you’ve ever dreaded grocery shopping, you’ll love Roots.

You’ve probably driven by the building plenty of times. Located in Garden City (3308 W Chinden Blvd), Roots is positioned close enough to the city to be convenient, but tucked far enough away to keep us all curious. It’s a true hidden gem in the greater Boise area.

Roots redefined

Roots Zero Waste Market is redefining what a grocery store can be. It’s the first full-service zero waste grocery store in the country and a place where food is honored to its fullest capacity.

It’s simple. A choose-your-own intentional shopping adventure, where you call the shots and take exactly what you need… without feeling the guilt or overwhelm that always seems to come with getting groceries.

In total, 137 zero waste stores have sprouted up across the country in the last five years, but most only offer dry goods, personal care, and household items. Roots, which first opened in 2019, takes it to the next level by offering a full range of grocery essentials.

Here’s a list of things you can find at Roots:

• A fully organic grab-n-go deli with gluten-free and vegan options
• A home and personal care section
• Organic, seasonally rotating produce
• A thrift room including clothes, home items, art, and more
• A community room for pop-up events
• Beans, grains, pastas, and a fully loaded spice section
• Local dairy products including eggs

“It's a gathering place for people to be here and bring the community together,” said Lea Rainey, founder of Roots Zero Waste Market. As we sat in the community room, she shared how Roots goes beyond just offering a plastic-free shopping experience, they also actively work to eliminate waste behind the scenes.

They utilize dry misting technology to hydrate produce, which helps to decrease water waste and improve freshness.

“I always like to call Roots an environmental company disguised as a retailer. We don’t send any food to the landfill,” said Lea. “Food is valuable, especially organic food. We want to make sure we’re using it in all stages of life. Just because it’s imperfect doesn’t mean it’s invaluable.”

Roots manages “defective” products different from a traditional grocer. Bruised apple? They’ll turn it into a green juice or baked good. They also give their compost and excess food waste to local chicken and worm farmers, ensuring nothing is wasted.

Product sourcing

Roots prioritizes local and sustainable sourcing. During the summer, 65% of their produce comes from the Treasure Valley. This also includes soup mixes, sauces, natural remedies, and personal care items.

Their sourcing strategy follows a tiered approach:

• Local first – within a 20-60 mile radius whenever possible
• Regional – extending to Oregon, Washington, California (down into Baja), Montana, and Utah

After that, it’s about doing what’s best for the environment and what truly works. The store conducts extensive quality testing up to 30 days on certain personal products.

“Over the years, I’ve tried at least 40 different shampoo bars. Out of that, we have three that we would ever sell. They have to be low-tox and good for the environment, and work.” It’s nice to know the products here aren’t like the natural deodorant that doesn’t seem to work.

Lea emphasizes that just because a product is labeled “environmentally friendly” doesn’t mean it’s truly sustainable. “A lot of brands will forgo efficacy and effectiveness, just because it’s environmentally friendly, but it’s not really environmentally friendly if you have to use more. Because then you’re doubling your use of the product,” she said. At Roots, every product is chosen with both sustainability and functionality in mind.

Roots prioritizes natural products that you can not only feel good about purchasing, but also have confidence the product will do what it’s supposed to.

Phasing in organics

The idea of zero waste may feel intimidating at first, but Roots makes it accessible by encouraging small changes over time. That’s why they care so much about the quality of their product.

Buying in bulk allows shoppers to take exactly what they need, whether you’re stocking up for the family or trying out a sample of new product. They don’t markup prices like a traditional grocer, so you’re getting exactly what you should be paying for.

You are welcome to bring your own container, but they also provide sanitized, sterilized, and pre-weighed glass jars to fill, so don’t feel like you need to have empty jars laying around. Pop in on a weekday and grab whatever you need. For those new to the process, shop stewards are always available to assist, ensuring that every customer feels at home.

To meet in the middle

“Everything’s okay in moderation, it's when we started over consuming or getting extreme about things, that everything got out of balance,” said Lea.

On the inside, the atmosphere is open and welcoming. She describes the energy of Roots as special and tangible. “It's just that it feels really good in here, and I think that's made up of the clientele. It's a reciprocal, very tangible, instantaneous flow of energy coming through here. Babies love it here. They just stand and dance under the speakers,” she said.

The shop follows a similar layout of a traditional European grocery, with an open concept designed to ease you into the space rather than mindlessly wander through the aisles. Grocery shopping isn’t a chore here. It’s like a Sunday morning walk to your local market, and it’s open seven days a week.

What if this was everybody's everyday experience? How different would your relationship with food be?

Getting involved

The store is open seven days a week, from 9am-7pm Tuesday through Saturday, and 9am-5pm on Sunday & Monday.

You can stay up to date on what’s news at Roots by following them on Instagram or checking out their website, where you’ll find their cafe menu, product updates, and more.

There’s a new art installation going up in collaboration with Miss Wondersmith meant to celebrate our community. Stop by anytime from now until March 20th and set your own sweet intention to add to the hive!

They also have rotating artwork throughout the store and do an art stroll in the parking lot with local artists.

You can always enjoy live music from Thomas Paul on Sunday’s accompanied by brunch. Sweet potato hash and toast plus your choice of mimosa or coffee for only $12. They also have ham, veggies, and tofu just to name a few options.

“It’s a nice way to ease back into people time and include that back in our lives a little bit more,” said Lea.

There’s a bunch of board games and puzzles by the cafe, if you’re looking to sit and stay a while.

Next time you find yourself in the area, on your lunch break, just driving by, take a few minutes out of your day to step through the little glass door and go see the community of Roots for yourself :)

Thanks for reading!

With love from Boise,

Carly

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