LITTLE CURRENT—Ask Island Jar proprietors Natasha and Mike Rueter why they decided to open a store/food bar specializing in healthy food alternatives in downtown Little Current and they don’t hesitate to draw breath: “Our love for food.”
The entrepreneurial couple (that has small children in their family) is very particular about what they eat and, especially, what they feed their young family. They normally would place an order for non-GMO and organic groceries together with a group of like-minded individuals.
“We typically had to drive to pick up our order,” said Mr. Reuter. “One day we just decided we might as well do it ourselves.”
Ms. Reuter noted the driving force behind the decision to research and be very selective about their food was simply “optimum health.” From there it wasn’t too long a leap to decide to start a specialty store. “We saw a need for it.”
So does it still seem like a great idea after countless hours spent pouring over catalogues, travelling to trade shows to meet suppliers and researching the food behind the corporate marketing of some products? “So far people have been happy,” said Mr. Reuter, “so I would say it was.”
If the store has a motto it would be “good food to good people,” quips Mr. Reuter. “That is more of a slogan, but we want to give people choices.”
“Options,” agrees Ms. Reuter. “We have an educational component to what we are doing. We want to help people to know what is going on with their food.”
The Island Jar follows a philosophy of helping people to get back to making their own food “from scratch” and getting away from the highly processed foods that are often so unhealthy.
“We try to keep our products as natural and less processed as possible,” said Ms. Reuter. “We also try to source as locally as we can, Manitoulin, Northern Ontario, southern Ontario, Canada and if we have to, the US. Very few of our products come from the US.”
On the shelves of the Island Jar you will find local produce in season and a good selection of meats from Ice Lake farmer and retail local food pioneer Max Burt’s farm (The Burt Farm), Island maple syrup and honey.
The emphasis on whole and natural foods certainly has a good number of fans already. Nurse practitioner Bernice Pleta was happily loading bottles of milk into her car. “I have been waiting for this,” she beamed. “I am very particular about what I eat. I am very happy to see this store opening up here in Little Current.”
There are dried beans and whole grain pastas, quinoa and herbal supplements, specialty oils and delicious ice cream made from coconut milk. “Try some,” smiles Mr. Reuter when he learns of this writer’s mild addiction to ice cream. He explains that often we eat too much of a food because there is so little flavour or value in the food we are eating that our bodies crave more and more in an endless cycle seeking satisfaction.
A food bar in the store supplies healthy lunch alternatives for people seeking a better choice and it has been kept bustling even before the summer rush has arrived.
The Island Jar will soon feature a yoga studio and its walls are adorned with art from local artists that will be rotating every few weeks, all of which is available for purchase.
As an added bonus, Mr. Reuter is a holistic nutritionist and personal trainer, specializing in correcting posture. He provides one-on-one training and counselling. “He will be in the store a few days a week to answer questions,” said Ms. Reuter.
One thing the Island Jar is not is a source of ‘cheap’ food or products. Each product, from the natural beauty products to the Loonsong Gardens flour, are all of top quality and have been thoroughly researched to ensure they meet the rigorous standards the Reuters have for their own family’s cupboards. And there is not a GMO product in the bunch.
“Just because a product says it is organic doesn’t mean it is good for you,” said Mr. Reuter. Part of the cost of the products sold in their store reflects the immense research the couple has delved into to source the products they offer.
“We vote with our dollar and every bite,” said Mr. Reuter. Looking around the store a the crowds gathered on a sunny Friday afternoon, it is very clear that this is one election that is becoming more popular with each and every day.
