Natural food stores Tri Cities area (Johnson City, Bulls Gap: co-op, purchase, organic)

[chulsav1]

Are there natural food stores in the TC area? Or stores that sell non-dairy products like rice cheese, soy milk, non-dairy ice cream. Along with my wifes medical needs she can't have any dairy.

[Rcm58]

Natural Foods Market 3211 Peoples St. 423-610-1000 I beleive its in Johnson City.

[Shenandoah]

Most larger grocery store chains carry soy milk,and non dairy ice cream. There's also a Sams Club in Johnson City.

blessings, Shen

[EagleI]

I was impressed that the Ingle's chain has signs pointing to "organic & natural" sections in every aisle. They'll be my first choice for grocery shopping.

[hilly7]

A little bit of a drive is Yoder's Mkt in Bulls Gap

[Meg Lesher]

Not an answer, but a related question: Would Tri-Cities support a food co-op? it doesn't sound from the answers here that there is one, but it might be worth developing, assuming enough people are inclined towards whole foods and locally grown produce, dairy and meats.

[EagleI]

Originally Posted by Meg Lesher

Not an answer, but a related question: Would Tri-Cities support a food co-op? it doesn't sound from the answers here that there is one, but it might be worth developing, assuming enough people are inclined towards whole foods and locally grown produce, dairy and meats.

I would love a food co-op in the Tri-Cities. I've found scattered suppliers of organic fruit & free-range meats, but would welcome an organized system. I belonged to a CSA (consumer supported agriculture) for 5 years in WNY and will miss the weekly drop-off of oganically grown fruits, vegi's, herbs, brown eggs, fresh butter, and pasture-fed meats. I don't mind paying more for these nutrionally-dense foods, and loved meeting like-minded folks once a week.

[mbmouse]

Not sure what you mean by a "Co-Op" but we have several farmers markets around through out the week and weekends that many local farmers attend throughout the spring, summer and fall.

[dreamofmonterey]

Originally Posted by EagleI

I would love a food co-op in the Tri-Cities. I've found scattered suppliers of organic fruit & free-range meats, but would welcome an organized system. I belonged to a CSA (consumer supported agriculture) for 5 years in WNY and will miss the weekly drop-off of oganically grown fruits, vegi's, herbs, brown eggs, fresh butter, and pasture-fed meats. I don't mind paying more for these nutrionally-dense foods, and loved meeting like-minded folks once a week.

They have a co-op in Asheville, NC. Also a lot of vegetarian restaurants. It is a 50 minute drive from Johnson City.

Right in Johnson City there is a nice "Nature's Foods".

[ShilohAvery]

Which Farmers' Markets are you referring to? I mean, when and where are they. How is the local food movement in the Tri-Cities (esp. Johnson City)? Are there nice restaurants that purchase local foods? If so, which ones have you heard about? Is there a local independent paper that might answer some of my questions?