The all-purpose natural food store

Published 7:00 am Tuesday, March 27, 2007

A new outlet in Harbor Square wants healthy customers, and a healthy planet.

After using them to pierce the skin of Bainbridge-grown produce, diners at Island Health Foods will be asked to dispose of their corn-starch forks in the proper manner – by burying them in the nearest compost pile.

The biodegradable forks, like the business, which is set to open Saturday, point to a theme fused throughout the 3,800-square-foot restaurant/grocery/supplement store on Winslow Way, in the Harbor Square building.

“Zero trash,” said a beaming Jay Sklar, the store’s chef and cafe manager, while clutching an earth-friendly lid. “And no cans in the kitchen.”

Not that Sklar has a problem with cans. It’s just that he prefers to use fresh, whole foods – including organic fruits and vegetables, free-range chicken and wild fish – when preparing his dishes.

Along with a full menu of food, the store will offer fresh vegetable and fruit juice, cooking classes and a subscription food service, in which customers will be able to pre-pay for meals that are specially tailored to their health needs.

“That way Mr. Smith can run in and grab his breakfast as he bolts to the ferry,” Sklar said.

“His meal is ready when he comes in and there’s no transaction to deal with because it’s pre-paid.”

For those interested in preparing their own meals, the store offers a grocery store with mostly organic products ranging from produce – most of which will come from within a 20 mile radius – to organic ice cream.

Other products include nuts, grains, teas, spices, specialty olive oils and vinegars, chemical-free house cleaners and pet food.

Along with stressing good health, the store plans to incorporate as many local products as possible.

“We want this to be a full-service grocery store,” said Jeff Jackson, who along with his wife Stephanie owns Island Health Foods. “There’s nothing like this on the island.”

In addition to stocking food, the store has a supplement and vitamin section, replete with supplement specialist Janice Strand, who holds a degree in nutrition.

Available in the section are supplements for men, women and children, including the store’s own brand. Soaps and lotions made by small, independent companies share shelf space with jumbo bottles of vitamins and baby care products.

Strand said she thinks customers will enjoy the store’s touch screen system, which offers health advice based on user input.

By typing into the computer an ailment or condition, customers can receive recipes and remedies to their problem.

“It’s basically like an encyclopedia,” Strand said. “If you have arthritis, it tells you what kinds of herbs or vitamins you should be taking.”

Sklar, meanwhile, said his main goal is helping people eat better. He will offer cooking classes beginning in May, designed to teach people how to prepare meals that are both tasty and healthy.

“Most people want to eat better, but they just don’t have time, so they end up eating a bunch of crappy food,” he said. “What people will find is that anyone can cook what I’m cooking, you just have to learn the right combinations between whole foods and spices.”

Sklar said he’s traveled the world during his 14 years as a chef, incorporating into his own cooking the different styles he’s learned along the way. Most recently he was a private chef in Hawaii, before moving to Bainbridge Island six months ago.

As for the forks and other utensils made of corn and potato starch, the Jacksons say they are just one component of earth-friendly efforts they hope will continue to spread, both on and off the island.

“This is great timing,” said Stephanie. “People now are much more conscious of the importance of being good consumers. Going organic is about saving our world.”

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All natural

Island Health Foods, at 764 Winslow Way East in the Harbor Square building, will open its doors on Saturday. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Call 842-3333 for more information.