Maria Granel

Maria Granel was founded in 2015 by Eunice and Eduardo, becoming Portugal's first — and one of Europe's earliest — bulk organic grocery stores. The concept was born from a recognition that a gap existed between sustainable practices and everyday consumer habits, inspiring the founders to create a space where people could shop without generating packaging waste. The first store opened in the Alvalade neighbourhood of Lisbon, followed by a second location in Campo de Ourique in 2018. Both stores operate on a BYOC (Bring Your Own Container) principle, encouraging customers to bring reusable containers and eliminate single-use packaging from their grocery routines. Maria Granel offers a wide range of organic bulk foods — including cereals, legumes, flours, teas, coffees, nuts, and more — alongside a curated selection of zero-waste accessories such as reusable bags, beeswax wraps, natural personal care products, and sustainable kitchen items. The online store ships nationwide using 100% plastic-free, reusable, and compostable packaging, with free shipping available above certain thresholds. Beyond retail, Maria Granel runs workshops and community programmes such as the 'Desafio Zero' (Zero Challenge), 'Programa Z(h)ero', and 'Pantry Makeover' services, designed to help individuals and families transition to a lower-waste lifestyle. The project also publishes a blog and podcast to educate and inspire its growing community. Maria Granel operates a B2B distribution arm under the handle @mariagranel.distribuicao, supplying sustainable products to resellers across Portugal. The project has been widely recognised as a pioneer in the zero-waste and conscious consumption movement in Portugal, and continues to grow its impact through community engagement, environmental performance reporting, and ethical sourcing partnerships.