We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Molly Ballard. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Molly below.

Molly , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

I was disturbed to find out that 2 million plastic bags are used every minute worldwide and that 50% of the total plastic production is made up of single-use products.  (credit: Giving Compass.org & seedscientific.com)

It was in 2018, when I was working out of a co-working space in New York City, when I won a raffle prize basket that contained a book about living a “Zero Waste” lifestyle. Before then, I had been contributing in small ways, like most of us; converting to reusable grocery bags, recycling, and trying to remember my water bottle. However, after reading the book and becoming increasingly aware of how much packaging a single person can throw away in a day, I began to take even more steps to reduce my waste and learned how to incorporate an approachable sustainable lifestyle. Over the next 5 years, little by little, I began converting my habits and consumption methods and then eventually starting my own mobile bulk grocery stand, ReFill Station.

Groceries, one of our most essential means of living, are predominantly wrapped in plastic and therefore, have a devastating impact on our planet. However, if we look back in history and revisit how some of our essential groceries were purchased you will find that 30% of Americans had milk delivered to their homes and recirculated and refilled the bottles (our apartment still has the original double door cubby built into the back entry)!  I realized that bulk shopping empowers us to tailor quantities to our actual needs, minimize food waste, and promote mindful consumption. I decided to open ReFill Station to encourage the exploration of new ingredients, foster a sense of culinary creativity, and simultaneously embrace sustainable consumption practices.

By shifting towards zero waste (or really really low waste), we’re not only helping the environment but also taking control of our own consumption habits. It’s about being mindful of what we buy, choosing products with minimal packaging, and getting creative with reusing and repurposing items. Plus, the sense of accomplishment and connection to the Earth that comes with reducing our waste is truly empowering. It’s not about perfection, but rather making small changes that add up to a big impact. From cutting down on single-use plastics to supporting businesses that prioritize sustainability, a low-waste lifestyle is a way to align our actions with our values and work towards a healthier, cleaner future for all of us.

Molly , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am originally from North Carolina where I went to school to study interior design. I moved up and down the East Coast trying to chase a dream that never really fulfilled my ultimate passion.  After moving to Los Angeles in 2021,  I was rounding out a decade of working in the design industry, specifically in the hospitality sector, which is unfortunately a highly polluting and waste-inducing industry. I battled with manufactures, pleading for more sustainable products and building methods, but was consistently let down as costs were always too high. My career, and what I thought at the time was my passion was unrelenting and I began realizing my beliefs and directives were not aligning with the work I was doing. It was in the summer of 2023, I was laid off from my job as a project manager and decided that it was going to be up to me to create the change I wanted to see from people. While I couldn’t quite breach the design and construction industry, I found that, with my passion for the food industry, I could start a bulk pantry food stand at our local farmers’ markets which give consumers another approachable means of consuming more sustainably.

I realized that farmers’ markets are a great gateway into building a low-waste business. It gives shoppers an additional offering of dried pantry food while they are also purchasing local produce and baked items. Thus, hopefully reducing the amount of trips and products purchased from the big box stores. I have partnered with a phenomenal software company called Filljoy who makes the weighing and check-out process seamless for refill stores. The stand pops up multiple times a week at various farmers’ markets and people come in to select from the bulk offerings, weigh their selection, and ideally bring back and refill their containers. I have noticed folks enjoy the tactical experience of filling their own containers, a rare exchange for standard grocery shoppers. Filling your own jars, releases those extra happy feelings, knowing you are taking one more step to contributing to a healthier planet.

My hope is to revolutionize the way people shop for groceries by offering a sustainable and environmentally conscious solution. I am committed to providing accessible and convenient bulk grocery options while simultaneously tackling the urgent issue of plastic consumption. ReFill Station carries a diverse offering of refillable bulk goods (grains, legumes, nuts, seeds etc, the list is always growing) and I strive to source organic, non-GMO, and clean products. The goal is to empower individuals to make responsible choices for the planet by encouraging the use of personal containers. By fostering a culture of reusability and reducing single-use plastics, I aim to create a lasting positive impact on the environment, one shopping trip at a time. Together, we can reshape consumption patterns, promote a greener lifestyle, and pave the way towards a more sustainable future.

I hope to disrupt our current habits of grocery shopping and encourage people to rethink the way their pantries look. If more refill shops are integrated into neighborhoods, the shelves would be stocked full of jars and reusable containers and less and less with single use plastic bags.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I received my undergraduate in design and then continued to spend nearly a decade in secure yet ultimately unfulfilling jobs. I had learned the ins and outs of the design and construction industry and could name 10 shades of green. However, when I began mapping out strategies for Refill Station I realized I had such little knowledge of how to start your own business. I also was completely unfamiliar with the operations of Certified Farmers’ Markets and navigating the network of applying and financially supporting a stand. I was in an unfamiliar place, where everything felt incredibly vulnerable. There have been a handful of moments where I’ve wanted to run back to security. However, I thankfully came across free resources provided by the local Small Business Development Center, who gave me excellent advice on the in-outs of the local jurisdictional code and the type of paperwork to fill out. I began fostering relationships with other vendors, who share helpful knowledge I had not had before. It is in those moments of weakness and unfamiliarity that I grow stronger in my will make this a successful business. I have never felt more secure in my identity and my passion is fueled by knowing the positive impact I can have on people’s lives and our planet.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

A reoccurring moment that I cherish, since opening Refill Station, is the connection with the people that come into the stand. I have had countless joyous conversations about, not only shopping more sustainably, but cooking, preparing meals, and sourcing ingredients. I find that more and more folks are curious to know where their food is being sourced and it feels good to give them a honest answer. Together we are creating better relationships with our vendors and shoppers, by foresting a space that allows for those connections to take place. I do not have to “greenwash” my products or come up with cunning marketing schemes. I am able to have full transparency and know that I am providing something really good that can enrich people’s lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.refillstationgrocery.com/
• Instagram: @re_fill_station
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/97183944/admin/feed/posts/