By Richard Tew
The Post Newspaper Contributing Writer
Natural Living Food Co-op and Café is on a mission to supply locally grown organic food, an apothecary, local arts and even organic cooking and preparation classes to area residents.
Housed in a 1940’s home-turned-shop nestled on the edge of League City’s historic district, the co-op offers a rare resource for the area: organic food minus the chemicals found in most foods and drinks on the shelves at local grocers.
Owner Lisa Piper says the idea for the Co-op has roots in her childhood.
“My mom loved nature and healthy food,” said Piper. “I kind of had that already ingrained in me.”
Some 25 years ago, when Piper was having her children, she says she began researching food and realized how many preservatives and additives non-organic food contains. She says as a young mother it was eye-opening to discover the connection between food and the human body.
“That started the wheels going,” said Piper.
Around 15 years ago she began selling organic clothing made from Texas organic cotton, along with selling a few medicine herbs at regional farmer’s markets.
Piper and her organic Co-op and Café have called the little yellow and white 1,200 sq ft shop located at 219 N. Michigan St. home now for nine years.
For her efforts, Piper was even featured on the Food Network’s “Guy’s Grocery Games with Guy Fieri. The episode called “Resolution Royale” ran December 17, 2019, during Season 23.
Both the curious and the faithful will find locally-sourced organic produce, art, herbs, smoothies, beverages, salads and sandwiches among other offerings. The menu features a cornucopia of different options; most being vegan, non-dairy, gluten and allergy free. For the meat-eaters, Piper’s got you covered as well. She has organic chicken and various kinds of beef on offer.
“When we eat clean, our bodies can tell us ‘Hey, you know what, I’ve got what I need. I’ve got the vitamins, I’ve got the minerals’ you can stop eating now, I’m full,” said Piper.
The Co-op offers memberships which all offer discounts on purchases along with access to classes on growing organic food, herbs, etc. Prices for memberships range from $48 to $500-per-year. Piper says the later level of membership is geared for supporters of the lifestyle and the mission of the Co-op.
Learn more at http://www.shopnaturaliving.com.
Photo Cutline: Natural Living Food Co-op and Café offers residents’ healthy options for food, drink, herbs, art and more. Photo by Alyssa Cole/Natural Living Food Co-op and Café, used with permission.
