Going Organic at Smith Mountain Lake

Like many places across the nation, the trend toward organic living is increasing in popularity at Smith Mountain Lake. Because of the demand, area retailers are clearing shelves for natural and organic products, vendors specializing in natural goods are gaining momentum and shoppers are asking exactly what it means to "go organic."

            Kai Rikken of Huddleston has been observing an organic lifestyle for almost as long as she can remember. For her, going organic is something that has developed over time.

            "I think it really started when I was 10 and decided to become a vegetarian," Rikken said. "Every time I’d learn about something that was potentially hazardous in food and beauty products, I would try to eliminate it. It’s been shown that organic foods are 25 percent more nutritious than non-organic foods. I try to buy as much unprocessed food and whole foods as possible."

            Along with organic foods, the mother of two also looks for household products and children’s items that are organically produced.

            One common objection to buying organic produce is the higher prices, a concern Rikken said should be viewed with a long-term perspective.

            "It can be more expensive for sure," she said. "However, in the long run, your health will be better so you’ll probably save on doctor’s bills. Really, it’s going to cost more to eat conventionally in the long run because of [conventional production’s] toll on the environment."

            In a rural area such as Smith Mountain Lake, organic retail outlets are not as plentiful as in urban areas, but Rikken said she has not had trouble finding naturally produced products.

            "Kroger has a lot, and Wal-Mart has organic items," she said. "I also shop at the Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op."

            At Smith Mountain Lake, residents interested in making the switch to organic will find area shopping becoming more organic-friendly.

            "People ask for organic foods all the time at the lake," said Vernon Ferguson, Kroger nutrition clerk. "There is definitely more natural foods selection now that the [Westlake store] has expanded. They’ve done a great job making the organic selection stand out with round shelving and [the word] ‘natural’ etched in the glass doors of the frozen foods section."

            Brett Keister, owner of Vitazen, a nutrition and supplements outlet at Westlake Towne Center, said the store has experienced steady growth since opening four years ago.

            "We were up 25 percent last year over the year before and are already seeing a 15-percent increase in sales this year over last year," Keister said. "We sell everything from supplements to literature to a wide variety of natural/holistic pet supplies."

            Keister and his wife Glenda, a local yoga instructor, are often sought out for advice on organic and healthy living.

            "We are hit with questions all the time," he said. "There has definitely been an increase in interest about organic, natural products in the area. Probably our most popular products are fish oils, super food juices and multivitamins."

            Farmer’s markets in Westlake, Moneta, Bedford and Rocky Mount are also sources for natural and organic shopping near SML.

            Janice Walke, manager of the Westlake Farmer’s Market, said while the market cannot label its produce organic according to federal regulations, much of the produce is grown by similar standards.

            "We do not have anyone who is a certified organic grower," she said, "However, at our farm – Stone Soup Farm – the items we grow for the market are chemical-free and naturally grown."

            Rikken said adapting to an organic lifestyle is easily accomplished one step at a time.

            "Make it a natural progression, just eliminating one thing here and there. Choose certain things that you feel strongly about. Spend time learning, reading labels. If you can pronounce everything on the label, it’s probably good to eat. If you can’t pronounce much, you probably want to avoid it," she said, recalling some basic guidelines.

            "There are certain produce items that tend to have more pesticide residue called the dirty dozen; apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, imported grapes, lettuce, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, spinach and strawberries."

            Rikken said the environmental benefits of buying organic products are as important as the physical ones.

            "It benefits humans as well as the whole planet. We are exposed to enough environmental toxins and pollution that we cannot control, so it makes sense to eliminate toxins where we do have a choice: in our food, cosmetics, household cleaners, even furniture and clothing," she said. "Organic is the better, safer, healthier choice not just for my family, but the entire planet."

The Westlake Farmer’s Market (next to Lake Inn Motel) is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Oct. 10. The Moneta/SML Community Market (near Resurrection Catholic Church on Virginia 122) is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Oct. 31. The Bedford Farmer’s Market in Centertown Bedford is open Tuesdays 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Farmer’s Market in downtown Rocky Mount is open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.