A French style grocery store for organic nuts

By on January 28, 2018

People’s appetite for organic food all over the world has increased five times over the last 2 decades. That includes Japan.

According to statistics portal Statista, Japan is one of the world’s largest markets for organic food.  Four in 10 families in Japan are buying more organic products than they did a year ago.  According to a Japanese survey, the reason people are shifting  to organic is for health and environment’s sake.

Because of the increasing demand for organic food, Japanese supermarket giant Aeon teamed up with Bio c’bon, a French bio food supplier to create a haven for organic  nuts.  France is the 3rd largest market for organic foods in the world. Everyday there are 21 organic farms created, making France one of the most actively engaged countries in organic food production.

The grocery located in Azabujuban occupies the old Peacock building. It is divided into two zones named after two famous French brands “Picard” and “Bio C’Bon”.  Picard sells all things organic from food and wine to baby supplies and cosmetics. Bio C’Bon sells only frozen foods.

The Tokyo families team recently checked out the store to know more.  Here’s what we found.

The entrance where the old Peacock supermarket used to be.

Located on the right as you enter is a corner dedicated to beans, dried fruits and nuts. Here you can buy anything by the gram. BEANS – Pinto, Garbanzos, Black Beans, Red Kidney Beans, White beans, etc… NUTS – Cashew, Almonds, Squash, Peanuts, Walnuts, etc. GRAINS – Basmati rice, Quinoa, etc. DRIED FRUITS – Mango, Raisins, Kiwi, etc.

It’s a self-service style. The beans, nuts, dried fruit jars are all numbered. After filling up your paper bag, you weigh it on a scale by inputting the jar number. A sticker comes out with the amount and barcode.

Picard Section

All foods here are frozen.  Here are some of what you will find.

Frozen French foods corner

Frozen gratin and quiche

All types of frozen French gratin are sold here.

Frozen legumes labeled in French.

soup (clear and creamy)

Frozen seafood

Frozen Caponata – A traditional Sicilian vegetable dish.

Organic cheese and wine

Deli

While most frozen foods are vegetables and legumes, there is also a meat corner where you can find only chicken and lamb fillets and chops.

Fruit juice and snacks for kids

Organic grooming supplies

organic baby wear and supplies

Picard/Bio C’Bon is not your regular convenience food store. All the items here have passed an organic food inspection certification system. The common sense behind producing food using organic farming is to do away with herbicides, mechanical and thermal weeding, using only resources and energy that are kind to the soil, water, animals, nature and environment. And it is for this reason that they are priced a bit higher than conventional food because it takes longer to produce food organically.
Picard /Bio C Bon Azabujuban
2 Chome-9-2 Azabujuban, Minato-ku
080-9183-9239
Open ⋅ Closes 10PM

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