Organic Panic Over Real Naked Food's BYOC Policy

Division Street's own Real Naked Foods has been in the news this week over controversy surrounding its BYOC policy - that's "Bring Your Own Container" including jars, bottles, bags or the like. The Division Street grocery store has an entire wall of bulk items, such as grains, nuts, oils and teas where customers can purchase these bulk items using their own containers.

 Photo courtesy of Real Naked Foods

On Monday, the Tribune wrote:

....to Chicago's Department of Public Health, the [BYOC] practice also can mean danger and potential liability if someone gets sick from cross-contamination.

"We don't … allow folks to bring in their own containers to restaurants, delis or any other place, for that matter," said Cort Lohff, medical director for environmental health at the Chicago Department of Public Health. "We are worried about people bringing in containers that are not cleaned very well and then contaminating any surface that they might touch with that."

Another clip from Fox Chicago shed more light on the policy:

Although Real Naked Foods owner Lauren Yucan said only about 25 percent of customers actually bring their own containers, it would be a shame to see this option shut down at the grocery store, which opened in April.

What do you think about BYOC - public health issue or sustainable, eco-friendly shopping practice?

Real Naked Food Opens at 1909 W. Division St.

A new, full-service organic grocery store, Real Naked Food, has quietly opened at 1909 W. Division St. next to the Greenheart shop. Though their official grand opening isn't until April 22, they did have quite a bit of inventory displayed thus far despite the few unfinished, empty sections. One of our contributors stopped in to check it out.

The twist is that it's "BYOC," meaning you can bring your own containers to eliminate packaging waste and save a few pennies. (25 cents, to be exact.) The wall display has dispensers full of beans, oats and other dry goods, making it easy to fill up your reusable containers. (There are mason jars for sale and paper bags free of charge if you forget.)

The fruits and vegetables -- all of which are organic -- are displayed up front in bins and baskets, and more temperature-sensitive items like kale, broccoli and fresh herbs are in back with other refrigerated goods like eggs, dairy, waffles, berries and frozen lunch entrees. There's also canned and boxed items on the back shelves, along with baby food, dog food, cleaning supplies and a handful of other items.

We're particularly excited about what's near the middle of the store -- a counter with self-serve coffee and fresh-made wheatgrass juices, along with fresh-sliced deli meats and cheeses. This portion of the store is currently closed, but is expected to become operational within the next few days.

Real Naked Food's website talks about serving the country's "food deserts"(any industrialized area where healthy, affordable food is difficult to obtain) and improving accessibility to fresh, organic produce. While we'd hardly consider our stretch of Division Street a food desert, this is a competitively priced alternative to Whole Foods if you're buying organic goods anyway. For mid-week grocery runs when you need just a thing or two or full-blown shopping trips, this is a convenient, health-focused spot for Division Street neighbors.

We also hear there's an organic garden in the back coming this summer. Have you stopped by Real Naked Foods yet? What is your first impression?