Good News Natural Foods expands to Rehoboth

Good News Natural Foods has moved to Rehoboth, bringing a large selection of loose herbs, gluten-free foods, essential oils, local honey and whole-foods products.

The store will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 27 in Rehoboth, with vendors, samples, raffles and a giveaway of a $100 gift card to the store.

“Customers have wanted us to come to the beach for years, but we always said no,” said Marcia Collins, co-ower of Good News, and a certified holistic health counselor. “This opportunity came up, and then it just happened.”

Collins said business has been steadily improving since Good News took over.

“We are stocking up the store, and our inventory is growing,” said Marcia's husband and co-owner Rich Collins. The couple grew up in Lewes, and now lives in Milford to manage a Good News store there, which opened in 2009.

New supplements from Bluebonnet Nutrition and Nordic Naturals line the shelves, and the store boasts the largest selection of loose herbs in the area. The store now carries Sun Warrior protein powders, popular because they are made with sprouted brown rice protein and better absorbed into the body, Collins said.

The Collins were friends with Michael Gonzalez, former owner of Rainbow Earth Foods, which previously occupied the space at 220 Rehoboth Ave. When he passed away, he made it clear to his partner he wanted Good News to have the first option to purchase the store.

“This location has been a natural foods store for 40 years,” said Collins. “We were excited for the opportunity to come here.”

Good News has made changes, but has kept the knowledgeable staff at the Rehoboth location. Christy Kitchens of Bethany Beach will stay on as manager, as will other employees, including Dotty Domingue, Joe Quade and Andrea Booth.

“The product inventory has tripled,” said Kitchens. “We want our customers to come in and find what they want.”

Good News is one of a handful of stores that sell truly local honey. Spring Creek Apiaries in Frederica supplies 2-pound and 5-pound honey jars to the store, starting at $15.25.

“We love the beach,” said Ray Fields, co-owner of Good News. Ray and his wife, Sharon, live in Smyrna and run the Dover store, which opened in 2002. They are part-time residents of Lewes.

Good News will have a booth at the Historic Lewes Farmers Market this summer and has plans to supply local organic produce in the warmer months.

The four owners are adding new health and beauty products, as well as prepared food and organic produce. The Milford store has a commercial kitchen, where high-quality, fresh food is prepared for all of the stores.

This week's features include a quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) salad, which is a favorite for customers, Rich said.

“We grow with the community, so if a customer asks for something, we will order it,” Ray said. “That's what sets us apart.”

The store will host monthly sales events starting in April. Good News also offers classes for customers. A gluten-free class is set for 10 a.m., March 23, in Dover. Marcia, a holistic health educator, is also available by appointment.

This month, the store is offering organic Easter basket items, including almond butter-filled Easter bunnies.

Winter hours at Good News are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call the Rehoboth store at 302-227-3177 or go to www.goodnewsnaturalfoods.com.

What's this thing called kombucha?

Kombucha is a probiotic enzyme drink made with fermented mushrooms.

Probiotics can boost energy, balance intestinal flora, and aid the detoxification process.

“It's very alkalizing, which promotes health,” said Rich Collins of Good News Natural Foods. “If your body is more acid, then it is likely to have illness.”

When you first taste kombucha, it may taste like apple cider vinegar, but the more often you drink it, the better it tastes, he said.

Good News sells more than 10 varieties of kombucha. Gingerade is the most popular flavor.

“Our customers have been using it for years,” said Marcia Collins of Good News. “For people getting off soda, this is a good alternative because it has the feel of carbonation, but it's caused by the fermentation.”

Kombucha is now available at larger grocery stores; prices average $3.99 per bottle.

Some are now making kombucha tea at home, and kits are available online starting around $30. Kombucha starts as a sugary tea, which is fermented with the help of a SCOBY, which stands for symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast.

The bacteria and yeast eat up most of the sugar. The process releases the fizziness, reminiscent of a carbonated beverage. It is slightly sour in the end and contains about 1 percent alcohol by volume.

There are lots of recipes for kombucha online; a good place to start is with a simple recipe like this one from The Kitchn: http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-kombucha-tea-at-home-173858.

Good News allows customers to mix and match a case of kombucha and get 10 percent off the case. For more information, go to www.goodnewsnaturalfoods.com.