Oryanna Natural Foods

Sept. 28, 2005

Oryana Natural Foods Market is on the grow in Traverse City. On Sept. 14 the co-op broke ground on a building expansion and renovation project that will more than double the store‘s existing retail space from 4,500 to 10,000 square foot.
The need for expansion has come from robust growth. Sales at the natural products retail store have tripled since 1996. Over the same period, membership in the consumer-owned cooperative has risen from approximately 2,000 to over 4,000.
The co-op plans to triple the amount of floor space available for produce, including additional fruits and vegetables from area farms. Oryana will also significantly expand its selection of natural and organic deli/prepared foods. It‘s also expanding its seating for those dining at the market.
The new building will take advantage of eco-friendly building practices. One of the overall goals of the project is to double the size of the store without increasing the consumption of energy.
Some of the design and construction criteria by which Oryana intends to make this project an example of “green building” are:

• Extensive use of reused materials - windows in the new addition will come from the Old Mission School, ceiling materials in the deli area will come from the school’s bleachers.
• Recaptured heat for climate control - state of the art refrigeration will generate heat for
the building during cooler months; water is currently heated at Oryana using solar power.
• Abundant natural light - clerestory windows, solar light tubes, and skylights will reduce the need for electric lighting.
• Living roof - plantings on the roof will provide insulation while retaining biomass.
• Straw-clay construction - the structure will include wall building blocks made with little expended energy and low environmental impact.
• Rain water irrigation - water from the roof will be reused on site for irrigation.

The architects for the Oryana expansion are Ken Richmond and Rick Skendzel of Traverse City. The general contractor is Harmony Home Contruction, also of Traverse City.

Party for Goodwill
The ripples of Hurricane Katrina are sending homeless refugees all over the country, including Northern Michigan, where the assistance of help organizations such as Goodwill Industries is expected to come in handy.
Yet Goodwill itself needs a boost to keep up with its own local programs, including a food pantry and homeless shelter. To that end, members of Goodwill Industry Volunteer Services (GIVS) are hosting their second annual fundraiser, The Party, this Saturday, Oct. 1 from 7-11 p.m.
“The Party isn‘t just to help out at the Goodwill Inn, it‘s also intended to help people who come to Goodwill for clothing, food and other types of human services,“ says GIVS co-chair Mary Stanton. “We know that hurricane victims are going to need services when they move to this area, and Goodwill will be there to help fill their ongoing needs.“
The Party will be held at Floor Covering Brokers Warehouse outlet center at the corner of Barlow and S. Airport roads in Traverse City. The $25 donation includes butler-served hors d‘oeurves from Grandview Catering and dancing to the sounds of the Due North Band. There will also be an auction of dozens of prizes ranging from tall ship cruises to furniture, sailing & kayak lessons, pilates classes, Lake Leelanau cocktail cruise, home decor, diner and lunch packages, donated art and many more.
“The idea is to benefit Goodwill‘s shelter and ongoing needs,“ Stanton says. “Right now, our pantry is down to passing out cans of green beans. Goodwill really needs our help and this is a fun way to lend a hand.“
Tickets are available in TC at the Goodwill store on S. Airport, the Instant Framer, Pure Essence Salon and Floor Covering Brokers, as well as at the Silver Tree Deli in Suttons Bay.