Trillium was started in 1973 as a food co-op called Lincoln Cracker Barrel. Our store front was the building just north of the Bijou Theater in what is now Paws in the Sand. That was a time when many co-ops formed as people were reacting to the adulteration of our foods. Very little food was available that wasn't processed and treated with chemicals. Organically grown was a term only gardeners were familiar with. Packaged food with artificial colors and flavors, produce grown with harsh chemicals, animals fed antibiotics and raised in severe confinement, these were the norms and still are in many supermarkets.
Trillium was part of a wave of co-ops who offered organically grown whole grains in bulk and organically grown produce as it became available. Cheese made without rennet and fruit dried without sulfur were also very popular.
In 1977 the co-op purchased a building and moved in. In 1979 the name was changed to Trillium Natural Foods Grocery. In 1993 a decision was made to sell the store and it became privately owned. Very little changed in policy though. The emphasis on making clean wholesome natural foods available continues. Some things have improved. In 2002 a national standard for organically grown was established which helped with the availability of organically grown foods. Most things are now available organically grown. Packaged foods similar to mass market items are available that are made using many if not all organic ingredients. So great advancements have been made in consumer understanding of nutrition and the benefits of avoiding pesticides. Many farmers have also come to understand the significant gains in soil fertility and personal health benefits from avoiding pesticides and using organic methods.
New challenges now face us with the use of Genetically Modified Organisms. Most corn, soybeans and canola as well as other crops are now genetically modified. So even though they look and even taste like real food they are not necessarily so. They have been changed so that they can survive heavy doses of pesticides or produce their own pesticides. Adequate testing has not been done to insure that these changes do not make the food toxic. Some private tests on animals have aroused serious concerns. Until more is known one can only try to avoid any food not made from organic ingredients. Organic regulations prohibit the use of genetic modification.
Trillium continues to work to eliminate foods known to be genetically modified. It has been difficult though so some products which have the nonorganic food lower in the list of ingredients have been retained.
We welcome customer input and continue to learn that way.