Green Earth Expanding Healthy Food in Emmaus

When people think of Emmaus, they often are reminded of the major publisher in the borough, Rodale, which has thrived on its image of healthy living.

So when Robert Dieter saw a chance to own the only natural food store in Emmaus, he ate it up.

“I’ve been a vegetarian for 20 years and a vegan for 13 years,“ said Dieter, now owner of Green Earth Natural Foods. “I wanted to become involved with it.’’

He said his interest in natural food came when his dad had a heart attack at age 51.

“I’m 51 now!” he said.

Dieter, a resident of  East Greenville, doesn’t work at Rodale. He’s employed at Knoll, an international office furniture  maker in Montgomery County.

But he said all of his three employees once worked for Rodale. They include Linda Bosard, Kristin Cannavino and Diane McCurley.

McCurley owned the former Queens of Emmaus Health Food and Nutrition Store. Having owned the store for five years, McCurley decided to sell last year.

Dieter bought the operation and moved it from 516 N. 6th Street  to 1328 Chestnut Street, both in Emmaus. He renamed it Green Earth Natural Foods, and it's been open for three months.

“We decided to move it to a better location and to expand the store,” Dieter said. The new store measures 1,600 square feet compared to 750 square feet at the Queens store.

They are also working on an addition that would accommodate food service for smoothies and other fruit treats.

“Everything here is healthy,” McCurley said. “We believe in living a healthy lifestyle.’’

She said Queens was known for catering to customer needs, and that will continue at Green Earth with McCurley as manager.

“It we don’t have an item,’’ she said. “we’re order it for the next day.”