Posted by Melissa Woycechowsky in grocery, shops on July 8, 2007 at 7:10 am

Sunshine Natural Foods
942 College Street
416-533-9582

Andrew and Leila Ois had always wanted to start their own business, and when they spotted the “for lease” sign on the former convenience store on College Street, they jumped at the chance to open an organic food store at the location, which is close to their home and in a happening part of town.

With the help of friends, they cleaned the store up, inside and out, and got it ready to go in record time. The store has become an asset to the College and Dovercourt neighbourhood. I live in the area, and it’s been great to have somewhere that offers healthier foods - the Ois’ friendly attitude is a total bonus.

Sunshine Natural Foods prides itself in selling local products. Shoppers can tell how far away a food originated from by a system of colour-coded stickers, green stickers signifies it’s from within 250 kilometres and it goes up from there to red, meaning the product is from over 2000 kilometres away. A chart on the wall, with a freaky, Zodiacal-looking sun explains it all. The two most popular items in the store are indeed local – Ontario strawberries and Harmony Organic milk in the old fashioned glass bottles. I only use milk in coffee and smoothies, so I can’t discern much taste difference, but I love the tangible sensation of pouring milk from a clear thick bottle, so I treated myself to one of those.

The store is closely based on the needs of local residents who shop there. For example, Andrew and Leila take requests for food in a special book kept up at the front register, and customers are called when the requested item is in stock. The neighborhood is full of children, so Sunshine started the carrying apple juice and healthy treats without sugar, as many area parents had wanted.

Rain or shine, Sunshine’s bright yellow walls are always festive, looking about 50 years newer than the brick exteriors of College Street that lie out the front door. Still, no matter how clean and modern, there is always something nostalgic for me about purchasing groceries in a small store and not a supermarket. It sort of takes me back to the brown rice and patchouli days of growing up in 1970s post-hippie California, albeit with tastier flavours and better smells.

Looking to the future, the Oises are considering ways to introduce bin style bulk foods to Sunshine without triggering Andrew’s nut allergies. With their entrepreneurial drive and dedication to customer service, I am sure they will think of something. So head on out to College and Dovercourt for some sustainable sustenance where the green color code means local and the grocer does take requests.