Shopping Green

By Julie Thibodeaux    

The voting is now underway for our Green Business Awards, and as the votes flow in we're going to be taking a closer look our nominees. Today, getting to know some of the great green food stores in DFW.    

Green Source DFW’s 2012 Green Business Awards feature some outstanding picks for Best Green Food Stores. Here are the nominees beloved by readers:

The Sunflower Shoppe is a pioneer of the health food scene in Fort Worth. Since opening in 1970, the store has grown from a vitamin and supplement supplier into a full-scale green grocer offering healthy and organic food, eco-friendly personal products and a soft-serve frozen yogurt stand. The family-owned business, operated by the third generation of the Bradford family, also has a location in Colleyville. www.sunflowershoppe.com

Sprouts Farmers Market, which has 12 locations in North Texas, has become a local favorite Metroplex-wide. In addition to traditional grocery items, the Arizonia-based chain features organic produce, pantry items, frozen food and household products. The first Sprouts store opened in Arizona in 2002. Today the company has 150 stores in eight states. www.sprouts.com

Urban Acres in Oak Cliff offers a co-op style market with 10 pickup locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Founder Steven Bailey aims to provide fresh organic food that supports Texas agriculture. The owner also ensures all meats and dairy come from sustainable farms where pastured animals are treated humanely. The business, which opened in 2009, now has 1,200 co-op customers. urbanacres.wordpress.com

Dallas Farmers Market has been a mainstay in Dallas for six decades. It opened for business in 1941 and has evolved into a year-round market. For those wanting “buy local,” a number of its farmers bring in items grown from within 150 miles. The market also features specialty and prepared foods, flowers, shrubs and trees. dallasfarmersmarket.org

Meanwhile, The Green Spot Market and Fuels, offers a unique green venue in DFW -- a green convenience store and alternative fuel station. Unlike traditional grab-and-go markets, the store features exclusively healthy and organic snacks, beverages and convenience items. Outside, biodiesel and an electric car charging station is offered in addition to unleaded gas. The location also hosts a local farmers market twice a month. greenspotmarket.com

Check out the latest voting results and vote today to support your favorite venue!

Sign up for the weekly Green Source DFW Newsletter to stay up to date on everything green in North Texas, the latest news and events.

 Julie Thibodeaux, covers environmental issues, green topics and sustainable living for Green Source DFW. Previously, she worked as an editor and writer at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Contact her at Julie@greensourcedfw.org.