Beth Gourley, owner of Go Organic Grocer (initially known as Organic Local Yokal), in Berlin, MD, knows a thing or two about eating healthy—but it’s not necessarily the story one might expect; Gourley hasn’t always been this healthy when it comes to food. Gourley isn’t a soapbox kind of lady—she returned to the way she used to eat as a child, and she wants to make those types of whole unprocessed food accessible and affordable for all.
Gourley grew up on a five-acre farm in Berlin. Her mother kept cows, pigs, and goats, grew a vegetable garden, and tended chickens that were purchased by a major company in the chicken business, back when chickens roamed freely. Gourley has fond memories of her upbringing.
“I loved helping my mother out gathering eggs, working in the garden, it was really enjoyable for me.”
Gourley, like most other children who grew up on farms, ate mostly what the farm produced—unbeknownst to Gourley at the time, her diet wasn’t what a majority of others had started eating.
“We ate really healthy, it was meat and potatoes—nothing was processed, nothing from a box, that’s just the way it was. We never went out to eat. I never even stopped by a McDonald’s until I was in high school, and that was with friends.”
After Gourley got married, the need to prepare quick meals took her miles away from the fresh foods she ate growing up.
“My mother-in-law also worked for Kraft foods. She would give us boxes of Stove Top Stuffing, Macaroni and Cheese, and Shake N Bake—I cooked tons of Shake N Bake,” Gourley reflected, slightly shaking her head.
The catalyst that sent Gourley back to the ways of her roots was her children. After she stopped breastfeeding her first son Zack at six months, he started getting sick. Gourley began to look at what they were eating. A combination of change in diet, recommendations from acupuncturist Paula Christian, and tips Gourley picked up volunteering at OC Organics enabled her to change her family’s diet and lifestyle, and improve their overall health.
Gourley’s personal experience fueled her desire to open up a store that would provide healthy alternatives to the mainstream diet—fresh foods and whole grains without the preservatives and processing so common in today’s foods. Just a few short years ago, if a healthy diet wasn’t part of someone’s overall lifestyle, chances are they only sought out the foods to address some sort of illness or allergy. Times are changing, and with more and more people conscious of the health benefits associated with a better diet—without an illness the necessitates such a choice, Gourley’s store couldn’t come at a better time—but she is all too conscious of the price that comes with eating healthy.
“I really want this to become the norm for people, to be able to eat the good, real food at affordable cost. That’s why I came up with the Buyer’s Club.”
Gourley is referring to what makes Go Organic different from other health food stores—the option she offers to become a member in exchange for a discount on all goods. The concept is simple—think of it like joining a BJ’s or Sam’s Club. In this case, the one-time-only membership fee of $40 guarantees the member a 20% discount off on everything.
Go Organic Grocer carries organic and natural foods, supplements, produce, health drinks, personal care items and cleaning supplies that are environmentally friendly and provide a range of health benefits. Those with special health concerns can shop freely at the grocer—and not have to worry about reading every label trying to find a food that is “safe.”
While Gourley is building her inventory, she will work with customers to order the products they use most frequently, and will accommodate special orders whenever possible. Current inventory includes a variety of organic produce, gluten-free items, Kombucha drinks, Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar, flours, personal care items and more. Vitamins and supplements are in the order process; stop in to see the options. In the future, bulk grains and nuts will be offered.
Go Organic Grocer has aspirations of being more than just the place to find the healthy options for home use—although that’s certainly an admirable purpose in itself. A big emphasis is on community outreach, knowledge about healthy food isn’t quite mainstream—yet. On November 19th, Go Organic Grocer will hold it’s first event, a showing of Food Inc., the revolutionary movie that blew the lid off the business of food in this country. If you aren’t yet familiar with the products Go Organic offers and what eating or using them could mean for your life, watching Food Inc. is a great place to start.
Look for Go Organic Grocer to hold weekly health fairs in the coming months. In the meantime, stop in and visit with Gourley and become a part of this business that truly wants to bring a better way of life to the community.
The Facts:
- Go Organic Grocer is located in the Peach Building, 12 Artisan’s Way Berlin, MD. (Parking lot nearest to Farmer’s Market)
- One-Time membership fee is $40. A 20% off discount on all items comes with the membership fee. Additional monthly dues of $10 are waived until the store reaches 300 items. Dues and fees help defray the operational costs of the retail location.
- You do not have to be a member to shop in the store.
- Contact by phone: 443.366.5017
