100 Delightful Things in Worcester No. 40 – Living Earth

Hello and welcome back to the 2018 Rabbit Heart Poetry Film Festival’s 100 Delightful Things in Worcester Project! This year, our wonderful interns Fay, Julie, and Lori are #TeamEatYerVeggies – exploring Worcester to bring back the best of  the best for you to enjoy.

This week Lori, Fay, and I headed down to The Living Earth (232 Chandler Street). This organic food and wellness store is a family owned business that has deeply rooted itself as a vital centerpiece for Worcester since its early beginnings almost fifty years ago! The store opened in 1971 and has adapted and evolved over the years while remaining entirely committed to providing environmentally conscious, fair trade, all natural, organic, and high quality products to customers.

Like many cornerstones in this city, the establishment has seen itself change overtime, but if there’s one thing that is still the same as ever, it’s the business’ dedication to their local community and beyond. People come from all over in search for healthy food and supplements they can trust, and quickly find that The Living Earth has so much to offer. The store includes a local and organic produce section, all natural meat and dairy, bulks, breads, and so much more. Additionally, the store includes a wellness and beauty department, as well as a newly installed area of the market called The Island. The Island can be compared to a cafe in that it serves coffee, kombucha (on tap!), and various other grab-n-go items, but it also caters to those looking to sit down and eat some breakfast or lunch.

What makes The Living Earth so special, in my opinion, are the people that come in and the employees you will find there. Everyone who works at the Living Earth is so kind, down to earth, and eager to help. As an employee myself, I can say one of my favorite things about working at the Living Earth is meeting the devoted customers who have been with the Living Earth from the start, as well as the new faces that come in wide eyed and excited to try all the things we have to offer. As an employee behind the counter at The Island, I get to do so much more than pour coffee. Often I get to talk to people and learn new things about the people I share this beautiful city with. They give me all sorts of lessons and stories that teach me a lot about where I’m from, and I can share some useful tips and ideas I’ve come to know too, and to me, I think that is the most rewarding part. I feel lucky not only to work there, but to have this place right here in the heart of this city.
xox,
Julie