2nd Street Organics - Information

INTRODUCTION &
MISSION STATEMENT

        Welcome to the official website of Second Street Market. Located on the corner of 2nd Street and Kansas Avenue, downtown Hayward, Wisconsin, it's our honor to provide the local communities with organic, natural, bulk and whole foods.

        Thanks to all for our first successful year in business!

        We present this website as a tool we hope will be well used in your quest for natural health, this being in line with our mission statement:

        Second Street Market is a provider of organic, natural, bulk and whole foods. We strive to provide the purest products and the most useful and current information available. Utilizing the most ecologically sound methods of operation (e.g. purchasing from local organic farms and ranches, using biodegradable agents and products throughout the store and minimizing our environmental footprint, all to the greatest extent possible) will remain an unwavering priority. Never forsaking the importance of great customer service, we are here for the community, for the planet.

        So, please, take our site for a ride... and let us know what you think; we value your input.

FROM WHENCE WE CAME

Our family has been a part of the Hayward community for well over 40 years, starting when Cindy Rice, the family matriarch, moved here with her family as a young girl.

Over five years ago our entire family starting switching from a reliance on the conventions of modern convenience to a more complete, natural approach to life. At this time, it became starkly evident that Hayward was in sore need of an organic and natural grocery store... a place where all of our grocery shopping could be done.

In late 2005 Bailey and Chase, two of Cindy's oldest grandchildren, and Bailey's husband Jason worked with Cindy to cultivate ideas and lay the initial groundwork for an organic and natural foods store.

Joining the Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce in early April of 2006 officiated the swap of paper and pen for hammer and nail!

At this point responsibilities were divided; Chase became outsourcer and manager for organic produce, essential oils and other herbal products. Bailey and Jason teamed up to tackle the large task of managing grocery and general merchandise. All the meanwhile, with unmatched energy, grandma Cindy worked towards and oversaw completion of the store in all regards (she ran laps around everyone else involved!)

As tired as we were excited, the doors we opened on the 8th of July, 2006. A week later saw our grand opening celebration, and the rest is history. We couldn't be more thrilled to be here and plan on sticking around for quite a while!

GET TO KNOW US!
Meet the 2nd St. Market family; people who walk the talk.

CINDY RICE, Owner, Grandma
"I was never taught about the intrinsic relationship between food and body as a younger person, now I have the opportunity to share with others what I wish I knew then." Yes, Gram is still going strong after 5 kids, 14 grandchildren nearly two years of having her own business- she even has energy to care for her naughty blue parakeet at the end of each day. How does she do it?

SUSANNE BECKWITH, Manager
We're thankful to have a large family full of bright people. For example, our aunt, Susanne Beckwith has a mind like a beehive: busy, organized, clean and effecient. So it is that she'll be taking over Mr. Jason's accounting duties when he leaves. Susanne is a part of our family's health revolution, as she lives and eats as organically and naturally as possible. We're looking forward to continued growth and improvement here at the store with Susanne guiding our finances.

BAILEY ROBERTS, Grandchild, Manager
Everyone loves Bailey. A lot. Here at the store, she is loved 5 ways: as cousin, best friend, grand-daughter, wife, and manager. Focusing on the professional side of our admiration, we still gaze in wonder at the girl who memorizes entire sales catalogs perfectly and without trying. Her organized mind is complimented by her passion for health and athletic prowess. If she's not eating delicious organic food, she can be found with her husband on the trails, running, biking or skiing. All said is only a fraction of why we love her. We'll miss you, Bailey- Have fun in Montana!

JASON ROBERTS, Manager
Jason, in a word, is focus. Thanks to his diligence, and patience 2nd St. has experienced steady and happifying growth. Tag-teaming the grocery managing with his wife, Bailey, and carefully caring for the accounting needs, Jason has been a priceless member of management. His personal experience with natural health has also been a boon to the store. His ability to cook well has been a boon to Bailey (she might have died from starvation on her own!) Needless to say, you also will be missed greatly- We love you, Jason!

FOOD, HEALTH & OTHER ISSUES

The greatness of getting back to the earth is something we want everyone to experience. Choosing organic and natural products has an effect that reaches far beyond the general horizons of perception. Not only is organic food generally denser with nutrients than its conventional counterparts, it also promotes bio-diversity, healthy soil and water ways, local economy, and the peace of mind that comes from making the right choices. The downloadable document of enforced standards for organics from the USDA is 554 pages long (http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/NOP/standards.html). Below is a more brief definition of organic practices.

Organic Food is produced according to certain legally regulated standards. For crops it means they were grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers or sewage sludge, and that they were processed without ionizing radiation or food additives. For animals, it means they were reared without the routine use of antibiotics and without the use of growth hormones. It also dictates the ethical and humane treatment of animals while they are alive. At all levels, organic food is produced without the use of genetically modified organisms.