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Lack of local organics leads to Lewes market
Most Americans have quite a disconnect with the food they eat. We go to the grocery store and fill our carts with all the items we feel we need - okay, maybe a few slip in that we don't need - to feed ourselves and our families for the coming weeks. The grocery store is, for most, the end of their connection to their food. For those who are concerned with the effects of the use of chemicals in farming and meat production, this disconnect is more than disconcerting, it is unacceptable. Andy Meddick is one of those people. And after moving full-time to the Eastern Shore over three years ago, he was surprised to learn that natural, organic food is not easy to come by, even in an agricultural state such as ours. "When I lived in Baltimore, I shopped at the Trader Joe's, the Whole Foods... but we don't have much here like that, Meddick said." (For those who are wondering, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods are all organic grocery stores that can be found in most major cities.) After he made the move to the Eastern Shore with his partner, Tom McGlone, Meddick found himself driving up to Annapolis almost once a week just to shop for Organic groceries. After a while, Meddick's shopping list was growing as friends were asking him to pick up groceries for them as well. Realizing that there was a growing need in the area, Meddick and McGlone decided to open Good For You Natural Market. Meddick, who is himself a strict vegetarian and has a passion for organic gardening, oversees the operation of the store, while McGlone, a financial advisor for Wachovia Securities, handles the financial aspect of the business. Since their inception, a third managing partner, Gretchen Hanson, a trained chef, has joined the business. Hanson's knowledge of organic cooking has given Good For You the ability to add an organic catering service as well as organic cooking classes and an original product line which is made and sold in the store. Also part of the business is an acre farm which is maintained by a team of volunteers. The volunteers learn how to grow in a sustainable and chemical free manner and get to take home some of the produce that they help grow. Some of the produce is sold at the Good For You store and at the Lewes Farmers Market is used by some local restaurants such as Planet X in Rehoboth. "It is key for us to be full-service," said Meddick. "I modeled the store after Whole Foods. They do a great job of working with local farmers and producers to provide fresh products. I want to be a one-stop shop for vegetarians, vegans, celiacs and other alternative diets." Celiacs are sufferers of the celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes a toxic reaction to gluten, a common ingredient found in bread. For most of us, taking the time to research where our food comes from sounds like a daunting, if not impossible task. For Meddick, however, this is part of his personality. "As a strict vegetarian, I have always read labels," said Meddick. When not able to get sufficient information from a label, Meddick said he would call the manufactures and ask what they meant when printing things like "natural flavors" on their labels. Meddick said that many times he was surprised to find that that included meat by-products. Meddick applies that same tena ciousness when seeking suppliers for his store. Meddick researches all of his suppliers and will personally go to their facilities to inspect them and ensure they are growing, raising or preparing food according to the strict dietary needs of his customers. What Good For You provides is a place where customers can shop with confidence that what they buy meets their dietary needs. All of the products in the store from pet food to produce are organic and Meddick and his staff are knowledgeable about each item on their shelves and encourage customers to ask them questions. "We do the research for (customers) and the information is here if people want it." For more information about Good For You Natural Market, visit their website at goodforuorganic.com
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