a fresh start

The Green Apple Health Foods brings healthy eating home to Lake County.

If you are one of the millions of Americans who suffer from food allergies, you know that the phrase “You are what you eat” takes on a completely new meaning. Gluten, dairy, or pesticides can become your enemy, and one of the problems most people with food intolerances face is finding a place to buy food items that still taste great but don’t trigger an allergic reaction or break the bank.

Fortunately, Michelle and Aaron Mommaerts saw the need for such a place in Lake County and decided to open The Green Apple Health Foods in Lady Lake, the neighborhood health food store where everyone is treated like family. The Green Apple offers more than just a large variety of vitamins and supplements. The store is home to a wide selection of organic, gluten-free, dairy-free, and natural groceries.

“Our goal is to give you quality products and excellent customer service at a good price,” Michelle says. “A lot of local residents have food allergies, so we have people who come in every day to shop for all their dietary needs under one roof. Also, even if you don’t have a food allergy but are looking for ‘clean foods,’ we offer organic and natural foods.”

What truly inspired Michelle and Aaron to open The Green Apple was their oldest daughter Ashley, who is allergic to gluten. As a result, Michelle says her entire family adjusted the way they ate. However, shopping gluten-free in Lake County proved challenging. “Since my husband works in Tampa, I would give him the grocery list so he could buy our food there,” she says.

“Though there are health food places in Ocala and Orlando, we found there was nothing in the Lake County area that was 50 percent groceries and 50 percent vitamins and supplements. So we decided to open our own place.”

Inside The Green Apple, customers can expect to find fresh, organic produce like tomatoes, cucumbers, kale, and leafy lettuce. The store also has a refrigeration aisle filled with tasty gluten-free and non-dairy products and specialty items perfect for maintaining good nutrition. In addition, The Green Apple sells a variety of vitamins, herbs, protein, and supplements, as well as health and beauty aid products.

“We aim to get a discount from our wholesalers so we can pass along those savings to our customers,” Michelle says. “We know that eating healthy can be costly, but my husband and I work hard to keep our prices low. We want to make it affordable so you are not choosing between your pocket and your health. We want eating healthy to be something you can do and afford at the same time.”