Veggie.ca will be featuring a business in Canada that goes out of its way to provide veggie eaters with something special. We will keep the profiles archived on the site just in case you want to read them over and over and over again!

We are proud to present: The Wheat Berry Organic and Natural Foodstore 206 Main Street Ottawa ON K1S 1C6 tel: 613-235-7580 Mon-Fri: 9am-9pm Sat: 9am-7pm Sun: 10am-5pm

The Wheat Berry, a health food store located at 206 Main Street in Ottawa, Ontario, opened its doors for the first time in 1977. At opening, it was called Wheat Germ (name of a portion of the grain), and like its current name (Wheat Berry: name of the whole grain), the Wheat Berry has evolved over time. Christine Henri (current owner and operator) started off as an employee of the original proprietors, stuck around to see a second owner and then bought the Wheat Berry 13 ½ years ago.The specialty of the Wheat Berry is first and foremost organic food. They have one of Ottawa's only full organic produce departments, as well as a plentiful supply of organic grains, flours, nuts, seeds and other dry goods. Christine explains that their specialization in organics is what saw them though the recession and has given them their staying power: she has a very dedicated clientele who appreciate the commitment to organic goods and the health they enjoy as a result. While the Wheat Berry is a 'food store', they carry supplements; specialty face and body care products; macrobiotic goods; take-out/healthy convenience foods; as well as boasting the "largest selection of culinary and medicinal herbs and spices in Ottawa". It is a 100% meat-free environment, but for those who consume dairy and eggs: they carry organic milk, cheese, yogurt and butter (as well as goat's milk and cheese) and free range eggs.

The Wheat Berry's commitment to well-being extends beyond the products carried. The design of the store mimics an old general store and Christine has remained authentic in that she continues to store the dry goods in wooden and ceramic containers. She maintains that the life that is contained in grains and beans is not present in packaged foods, so she wouldn't want to hide them away in plastic and Plexiglas. At the cash, in case you've forgotten your fabric bag, they provide clean, used plastic bags (provided by other customers).

Aside from the Wheat Berry, the block on which it resides has become a meeting place of sorts for like-minded individuals. This is because, neighboring the health food store is "Singing Pebble Books", an independent book store, and "The Green Door Restaurant", an organic vegetarian restaurant.

When asked if she wanted to add anything, Christine told us that the support of local organic farmers was something in which she believed very strongly and supported wherever possible (barring only limitations of our Canadian climate) and that whenever a producer is found to be carrying GMO (genetically modified organisms), she seeks out a new source. And, finally, as an advocate of macrobiotics, she recommends the book by Michio Kushi "The Macrobiotic Way".