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Photograph by Skye Dunlap
Cupertino Natural Foods owner Shari Barbella says she raises her children, Terran, 4, and Breanne, 7, within the natural foods 'lifestyle.'
Cupertino Natural Foods: a natural choice
By Michelle Ku
Shari and Tony Barbella like to think that they've helped to change the world. When their health food store, Cupertino Natural Foods, opened 30 years ago, it was a revolutionary concept. Today, the natural foods concept is commonplace.
"The whole business was very different [when the store opened in 1970]," said Tony Barbella, the founder of Cupertino Natural Foods. "Very few people were into it then. It's now become mainstream. A lot of what we do here is generally accepted now.
"We've changed the world."
And for the Barbellas, operating an alternative food store wasn't just a business--it became their way of life.
"I've raised my children within the lifestyle," Shari Barbella said. "Neither of them have been exposed to antibodies. ... It's not necessarily eating vegetarian. It's making conscious food choices, eating healthy and having an awareness of alternatives to medication and drugs."
A family-owned business, Cupertino Natural Foods is the oldest health and natural food store in Cupertino. Since opening its doors, the shop has established a reputation for quality products at reasonable prices. The Barbellas also gained a reputation for being very knowledgeable about their products. Several area doctors, nurses and chiropractors refer their patients to Cupertino Natural Foods.
"Customers come in with a specific need," Shari said. "They don't want to take prescription medicine and are looking for herbal alternatives, or they can't eat wheat breads and want to know what else is available."
The store has a full selection of vitamins, herbs, teas and groceries. The Barbellas sell only allergy-, meat- and yeast-free items. Cupertino Natural Foods carries a wide variety of fresh sandwiches and wraps.
In addition to natural foods, the store has a large selection of books.
"Education is the key," Shari said. "There is so much literature out there and people need to keep up."
If a customer cannot find a specific item, the Barbellas handle special orders at no additional cost.
From now until June 26, Cupertino National Foods is holding a storewide sale. Every item in the store is discounted, and there are weekly specials.
The store is also holding a contest that ends on June 26. Customers can accumulate prize dollars to win one of the 10 prizes, including a 27-inch TV, a three-CD system and a juice extractor.
Cupertino Natural Foods is at 10255 S. De Anza Blvd. Call 408/253-1277. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
