FAQs
In-Store Questions
Are you wheelchair accessible?
We sure are!
The main door is at street level and there is an automatic door.
How do I buy bulk food at The Tare Shop?
You’ll bring your own clean and empty jars, containers, or bags to our store, we will weigh them at the tare station and write the weight on the container or bag. Then you fill each container with the grains, condiments, spices or other goodies you want. At the cash we will deduct the weight of your containers so you aren’t paying for them. Then go home and cook that yummy meal you had planned.
Are plastic containers ok?
You bet! You can bring any kind of container – glass, plastic, cloth bags, plastic bags, Tupperware, etc! As long as the containers you bring in are clean and empty, you are able to fill them :)
What bulk products do you sell?
We have a huge variety of bulk products for sale. Ranging from flour, spaghetti, olive oil, nuts, seeds, and more! For the most up to date stock info, you can call or text us at: 902 266 2828
How do I return the item I purchased?
Our policy lasts 15 days. If 15 days have gone by since your purchase, unfortunately we can’t offer you a refund.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging and you must have a receipt.
To see our full refund policy click here
Do you have somewhere I can sit and study or hangout?
Absolutely! Our cafe has seating in store and you are welcome to hangout, catchup with a friend, or do some work! We have free wifi, drinks, and snacks available for purchase.
Do you offer discounts for anyone?
On Tuesdays we offer 10% off bulk and lifestyle for students with a valid student ID, and on Wednesdays we offer 10% off bulk and lifestyle for seniors (65+).*
*in-store only
What methods of payment do you accept?
Cash, credit, or debit!
Why did you choose to use glass jars for bulk products?
While it does require a little extra leg work, we are so pleased with how our jars have allowed us to keep the store clean, products fresh and to minimize cross contamination. At the end of the day, the large gravity bins are still plastic and difficult to recycle if they were to break or if we should decide to make changes to the store. We are happy knowing our glass jars will be able to reused or recycled at the end of their useful Tare Shop Life!
If I have tons of jars and containers, am I able to donate them to you?
Yes! We accept glass and plastic containers. They have to be clean, have labels removed, and have lids. We can't accept any soft plastics as these melt in our sanitizer.
Do you sell containers?
We don't sell new containers, but we do sell new-to-you containers! We get container donations from the community (see the above FAQ for how to donate containers) and we clean and sanitize them before selling them for $0.50.
Click here to read on blog post that outlines why we don't sell new containers.
I have allergies, can I shop with you?
We cannot guarantee no-cross contamination but do a ton to eliminate it. We have lots of regulars who are celiac or have other anaphylactic allergies and feel safe shopping with us.
All of our products are in airtight glass jars, so we don’t have products sitting open. Any time a jar gets emptied, we sanitize it, and sanitize all the filling stations in between customers.
We require that each customer uses one scoop per product to avoid any cross contamination, and once they are done with that scoop it gets wahs and sanitized (there are no scoops sitting in product).
As we weigh all the containers before customers do their filling, we get the chance to remind them of these policies and ask if they need a refresher.
As our space is really open we are also able to keep an eye on folks and make sure the rules are being followed!
Online Ordering FAQ
Why do you charge a $0.25 handling fee?
The $0.25 handling fee helps to cover the cost of the paper bags, also filling online bulk orders is very time consuming so it also helps cover the labour.
*the handling fee is only for shopping online.
How do the subscriptions work?
You can order a standing amount of the grocery items to for pickup, delivery, or shipping every week or month and save 10%. Your card will get charged automatically, and you can always adjust your order!
General Questions
Can I buy a gift card?
Absolutely! We have gift cards available online here. You can purchase one and send it to a friend or family member via email. Gift cards are redeemable in person or online. Additionally, gift cards are non-refundable.
What is a B Corp?
Certified B Corporations are for-profit companies that use the power of business to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy. They meet the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. The purpose of the B Corp movement is to act as a driving force in changing the corporate face of business.
As of 2020, there are almost 4,000 B Corps in 150 industries and 74 countries around the world. We are incredibly proud to join these businesses in passing a rigorous application process that proves we put our money where our mouth is!
What does "Tare" even mean?
tare: noun
A deduction from the gross weight of a substance and its container made in allowance for the weight of the container; also : the weight of the container.
I've never shopped package-free. Where do I start?
It can be overwhelming but you can start with simple things such as bringing your own grocery bags and refusing plastic waste. We will have workshops and info sessions on how to get started, but in the mean-time check out our blog to read about various tips and tricks on going package-free.