I ate at this hidden Modesto health food store on a $20 budget. It was ‘organic heaven’

Inside Look is a Modesto Bee series where we take readers behind the scenes at restaurants, new businesses, local landmarks and news stories.

Stepping into Modesto’s Village Health Foods is like entering an organic heaven.

Tucked into the McHenry Village shopping center, the shop at 1700 McHenry Ave. sells natural vitamins, handmade soaps, plant-based foods and more.

The store even features a juice bar , which serves smoothies, salads and sandwiches made with organic ingredients, to appeal to wellness enthusiasts like Claudia Newcorn. She asked me to try it as part of my reader-driven budget series.

“It’s a hidden gem, and I’ve visited it for decades,” Claudia said in a recent email. “Everything’s to order, very reasonably priced, and staff is always nice and helpful.”

I headed into Village Health Foods on a recent Tuesday afternoon to see how far $20 would get me. Here’s what I ate and drank:

What is Village Health Foods in Modesto?

Village Health Foods is a locally owned and family-operated store with organic foods and holistic supplements “to enrich and empower healthy living,” the store says on its website. The business has called Modesto home for more than 50 years.

“(Sprouts Farmers Market) has had a big impact on Village Health’s business and foot traffic, and while ‘old-timers’ know of all the good stuff and delicious food there, there are so many people who just don’t know about this,” Claudia wrote. “Your taste buds will thank you.”

Village Health Foods is open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The store operates from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

What’s for sale at McHenry Village store?

I arrived at Village Health Foods with my sister and toddler a little after noon — the perfect timing for lunch. We wandered the store to explore the selection and see what was available.

While we ventured up and down the aisles, 1980s hits like “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins and “Karma Chameleon” by Culture Club played from a small boom box, adding a nostalgic vibe to our shopping experience.

Here are some of the items we saw for sale:

• Compostable assorted cutlery made with renewable materials
• Organic dish soaps
• Natural supplements, such as milk thistle seeds and kelp powder
• Organic pet treats
• Handmade soaps
• Plant-based supplements
• Organic snacks, from protein bars to carob chips

What’s on the menu?

After exploring the store’s selection, we headed back to the front to place our lunch order.

On the menu, there are create-your-own juices using organic produce, ranging in price from $6.50 for an eight-ounce cup to $12.25 for a 24-ounce container. Ingredients include apple, kale, celery and garlic.

Additional mix-ins, such as bee pollen and flax seeds, are available for $1 to $3 each.

There are also smoothies on the menu, including the Fruit Stand, made with pineapple juice, oranges, strawberries and bananas. Customers can choose from a 16-ounce cup for $7.49 or a 24-ounce cup for $9.49.

The lunch menu includes the following items:

• Avocado toast — $6
• Hummus bagel — $7.95
• Simple salad — $8
• Chips and tuna — $9
• Vegan burger — $11.95
  
  
• Tuna sandwich — $12.95
• Super salad — $14.95
• Greek pie — $14.95

“They make everything fresh, right in front of you as you’re chatting with them,” Claudia said.

She said she has enjoyed the Strawberry Fields, Fruit Stand and Banana Spice smoothies. She also likes the tuna salad and super salad, which is made with an assortment of vegetables, pine nuts, feta cheese and balsamic dressing.

How I spent my $20

Per Claudia’s recommendation, I ordered a 16-ounce Strawberry Fields smoothie, priced at $7.49 and crafted with apple juice, strawberries and bananas.

I also chose the Veggie Wrap, which is made with lettuce, tomato, onion, green olives, salsa, cucumber, avocado, vegan cream cheese and a sprouted wheat tortilla. It came with a side of tabouli and barbecue chips for $11.95.

After taxes, my total came out to $21.17.

Once my order was ready, I made my way to the small dining table in the corner of the store.

Though the chips were fairly ordinary, the wrap was a delightful surprise — light, flavorful and thoroughly delicious. The tabouli was perfectly balanced with just the right amount of zest and pepper.

I was amazed at how delicious healthy food could be.

While the wrap and tabouli had surpassed my expectations for healthy food, the smoothie truly stole the show.

It was refreshing and flavorful — such a delight on a hot summer day.

Thank you for the recommendation, Claudia! My taste buds thank you.

Where should I go next in Modesto?

Have any ideas on where I should visit next in Modesto on a budget?

Send me recommendations at arodriguez@modbee.com or by filling out the form below.

What do you want to know about life in Modesto? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@modbee.com .