Organic foods rule at Machias market

MACHIAS – The Good Earth Organic Market is not just a health food store, according to Anthony William.

“We’re the only natural foods store on the East Coast that is almost 100 percent organic,” said William, who opened the market and cafe with his partner, Rachel Schutzman, on Oct. 19.

Machias has seen at least two natural foods stores, including a cooperative, fail in the last 10 years. But the idea of opening an organic market so late in the season doesn’t faze William.

“We’re not here for the summer people,” he said. “We’re here for Machias. Why shouldn’t people who live here have food that is good for them and helps them heal?”

William said that both he and Schutzman grew up in Connecticut and have been coming to the Machias area on and off for eight years. They now live in Machiasport .

“We love it here,” he said. “We wanted people here to have this food and we wanted to make it affordable. We’re here for the long haul.”

William said the term “organic” means that none of the ingredients were exposed to pesticides, he said.

“There is a whole line of products with all-natural ingredients and we’re not saying they aren’t good for people,” he said. “But Rachel and I are committed to offering food that hasn’t been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides.”

And with few exceptions, such as some varieties of prepackaged sandwich bread, the Good Earth carries nothing but organic foods.

The couple bought food from producers as close as Jonesboro and as far away as France to stock the 3,500-square-foot store at the triangle on Main Street.

The vegetables come from local organic growers, the fruit from small organic farms in several states and the fresh olive loaf and focaccia from Pain de Famille in Blue Hill.

The brie and the pates are from France, and the whiskey cheddar on the tomato and cheese takeout sandwiches is supplied by a friend of William’s in Paris.

The raw olives are shipped from California, the quinoa is from Bolivia, and the capers and antipasto are from Italy.

And the Good Earth is the only store in Maine to carry stone-crushed olive oil, he said.

Dried beans, pastas, organic juices, salad dressings, a large snack and chips section, and bakery items – including wheat-free products – are available, as are organic yogurts, sour cream and nut butters.

The Good Earth also carries a complete line of organic cleaning supplies and body care products.

Many of the prepackaged items and herbs and spices come from California and are brands that William and Schutzman have come to trust during their 15 years in the field of whole foods, medicinals and herbal supplements, he said.

The Good Earth features a complete line of Amy’s frozen foods, Walnut Acres and Shari Ann’s soups, Dean’s Beans coffees and Solid Gold pet food.

“Whenever we like a product, we buy the complete line,” he said.

Health and organic gardening books and magazines, hand-picked by the owners, a medicinal section with special emphasis on woman-friendly vitamins and products for mothers and young children are also part of the mix.

“And we have the largest selection of organic pasta sauces in Maine,” William said.

A former whole-foods nutrition coach, William said the cafe and takeout lunches are all organic and customers have a choice of coffee or one of 30 medicinal teas.

The menu includes hummus, egg salad, and natural tuna sandwiches, salads and pizza. All are made fresh daily in a kitchen at the back of the store, he said.