By Kaitlin Dilworth
Contributor
When looking for a healthier alternative to a burger and fries for lunch, students don’t have to look far. In the same amount of time it takes to go by McDonald’s, healthy and hearty organic meals are available from such restaurants as the Epicurean at the Waco Outreach Foundation Facility at 400 Fourth St. in downtown Waco.
Epicurean chef Han Ashley said she is dedicated to creating meals for a healthy living. Restaurants like the Epicurean are giving people a chance to eat healthy food conveniently and for a good price. Almost all selections are vegan, containing no animal products. “Our food is always flavored, delicious and naturally nutritious,” Ashley said.
Food For Thought is another local Waco restaurant where you can find healthy food choices.
“All of the produce is fresh and the chips and salsa are homemade,” Food For Thought employee Cole Scranton said.
The restaurant also offers a variety of soups, salads and sandwiches all made with fresh produce.
Food for Thought is located on the corner of 12th Street and Speight Avenue.
“Other healthy restaurants in Waco besides Food For Thought would probably be McAlister’s Deli, Dee’s Mediterranean, Olive Branch and Panera,” Scranton said.
Organizations such as the World Hunger Relief Farm are key contributors to this movement toward healthier living. The farm offers fresh and seasonal produce sold through their Village Store. The store is open weekdays 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Village Store offers grass-fed beef, goat meat, goat milk, farm fresh eggs and award-winning honey. Every Saturday, the farm offers vegetables grown on the farm.
