Fresh / Alternative Grocers in Valpo Area? (Portage, Valparaiso: co-op, homes, university)

[merclo]

Hi everyone,

Family and I are moving from Southern California to Valpo later this month. We are vegetarians who prefer to "buy local" and rely on fresh produce, grains and nuts for our food. I cook / bake / prepare the majority of our meals. If you've ever been to SoCal then you know we have a wealth of grocers to chose from for our vegetarian meals but as far as I can tell --- not so much in Valpo.

So tell me locals, other than the weekly farmer's market downtown and a few farm stands, are there grocery stores in the area who offer a good supply of high quality produce, raw nuts, etc?

During my last visit I did not have time to scout out much more than homes but it seems like all I saw were two or three 'mature' traditional grocery stores which I will certainly shop from for pantry staples - just need to know where to go for the fresh stuff.

Thank you for all your good info!

[summer22]

There's a natural foods store named Au Natural, and its right on Lincolnway near Valparaiso University. I don't recall exactly, but they're open something like 11-7 most days. They've been open probably close to five years.

The chain stores - WiseWay in Valpo, Jewel in Chesterton, and Meijer in Portage - have organic sections and some organic produce.

Best wishes with your move!

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by summer22

There's a natural foods store named Au Natural, and its right on Lincolnway near Valparaiso University. I don't recall exactly, but they're open something like 11-7 most days. They've been open probably close to five years.

The chain stores - WiseWay in Valpo, Jewel in Chesterton, and Meijer in Portage - have organic sections and some organic produce.

Best wishes with your move!

WiseWay no longer exists in Valpo. It's Straks now.

[summer22]

That's right... and I haven't been in the newly redone Strack's since they remodeled so I can't tell you how it may have changed. WiseWay was one of the first chains to build out an organic section.

The Au Natural store on Lincolnway is a good place... friendly people, good selection.

[flipita]

Au Natural Market has a decent selection, especially if you're also looking for personal care products, vitamins/herbs, etc. They sell organic produce from local farms, including Créme de la Crop, a local USDA certified organic farm (they also do a great co-op with several pick-up locations). Strack's on 30 has a good selection of organic/natural foods, and they're less expensive than Au Natural. Those are just options IN Valpo. I'm sure there are plenty other options within 30 min drive in other areas of NWI.

[domergurl]

plus, during the spring summer and fall, there are farmers markets interspersed throughout the area.

[svillechris]

Originally Posted by domergurl

plus, during the spring summer and fall, there are farmers markets interspersed throughout the area.

Great point! There are quite a few good ones, but in my opinion the best one is the Chesterton European farmer's market. It's open from May-October, every Saturday from 8am-2pm. Definitely worth checking out.