Integral Yoga Natural Foods

. at Integral Yoga Natural Foods in Charlottesville

Integral Yoga Natural Foods
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Health Store

A full service vegetarian natural food store with a juice bar inside. Offers prepared foods for grab n go. Open Mon-Sat 9:00am-8:00pm, Sun 11:00am-6:00pm.

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923 Preston Ave, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA, 22903
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+1-434-293-4111
iyfoods.com
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- Last update on 08 Jun 2014 by Guest
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4 Reviews

First Review by Super-Tofu

Simcha

Points +65

Vegan

06 Apr 2019

Disappointing - Edit

I admit it was a long time ago when I worked at Integral Yoga Natural Foods in NYC, and that Charlottesville is much smaller than New York. But when we stopped in here, I guess it was unfair to expect a similar place to where I had worked.

This IY reminds me of the co-ops I've been to in Asheville and Knoxville. They have a nice juice bar, a lot of really lovely-looking organic produce -- more than most co-ops, actually - but as I am in Charlottesville on vacation, I had little need of produce. The bulk section looks pretty good. The small hot bar had some delicious carrot ginger soup, but also a masala with dairy in it. And to me, the biggest problem with this store, aside from the expense, is the proliferation of dairy products. I think they carry Daiya for vegans, if you don't mind Daiya's parent company testing on animals; and then the majority of the cheese is dairy, dairy, dairy.

Since dairy production is intertwined with the meat industry, I find this really disappointing and angering. A place may not sell animal flesh, but it's the same difference if you're selling milk. I have long said about co-ops and other places that I don't mind paying more for food if I'm supporting a business that is going in the right ethical direction. But because I do have a budget, if I'm going to spend my money at a place with a lot of dairy, I might as well go to Whole Foods and get more for what I spend. It's not quite the same, but it's similar. IY even had a couple of ready-made Tofurky sandwiches to go; but they all included dairy cheese slices. I probably would have bought them otherwise for our trip back home from Virginia. But no such luck.

The staff were all incredibly nice and friendly, however. That does help.

Pros: Produce looks great!, Really nice staff, Parking available

Cons: Way too much dairy, Expensive like co-ops, A little run-down, sad vibe

bigfootmarty

Points +18

Vegan

09 Jun 2014

I love going to YOGURT, [ as a friend and I called - Edit

fun place to visit
-always friendly and helpful
- monthly specials always great

veganvixenamy

Points +204

Vegan

15 Sep 2013

10% student discount! - Edit

I went here today for the second time. I need to get to know the busline better so that I can come here more often! I had a scrumptious vegan milkshake (peanut butter cup with chocolate almond milk), and a prepared vegan sandwich. Both were fresh and delicious. The avocado on the prepared sandwich was very fresh and vibrant.

Their produce is actually LOCAL and organic. My mom and I were impressed to see organic grapes in fresh stock.
I also enjoyed stalking up on bulk spices (sea salt, ground black pepper) and bulk essentials (chia, Turkish figs, chickpeas, raw cashews) in the extensive (more so than Rebecca's Natural Food's Store) bulk section. It was cost effective and efficient.
Also they have a great selection of more expensive noms (like raw kale chips, raw almond butter).
And their selection of vegan ice cream beats Foods of All Nations, Rebecca's, and maybe even Whole Foods!
They have a pretty good selection of vegan cheese, but no Kite Hill (I haven't seen this on the west coast yet), nor do they have raw vegan cheese (can't remember the brand) that is sometimes sold at Fresca on Addison in Richmond, Virginia.
The 10% student discount with ID is great!
I want to support them as much as possible...probably my favorite Grocery Store in Charlottesville. :)

Pros: great vegan smoothies!, extensive bulk, local produce, 10% student discount!

Cons: too far to walk from where I live, not all vegan

Super-Tofu

Points +181

Vegan

09 Feb 2008

Great selection of vegan food in deli case! - Edit

While on a business trip to Charlottesville, I stopped at Integral Yoga Natural Foods to pick up some lunch, as -- according to Happy Cow -- it was the surest place for me to find some vegan food. It's a quick five-minute drive from the UVa campus; just from walking through the front door of the shop, it seems like a nice little co-op with a standard variety of health-food items, vitamins, herbs, holistic medicine items, and books. (Note: I didn't do any shopping; I went straight for the deli/juice bar.) The tiny cold case in the back of the store was crammed with at least 10 different clearly-labeled vegan and/or raw items -- eggplant manicotti, dolmades, spring rolls, nori rolls, balsamic veggie salad, and blueberry "cream" pie, just to name a few. The food I tried was flavorful and filling -- I felt like I was eating something I had made myself. They also have a fully-stocked juice bar; my wheatgrass shot was fresh and tasty. Unfortunately, the store has no place to sit and eat -- a few outside tables would be nice -- but that's a small price to pay for delicious (yet cold) home-cooked vegan goodness. One minor downside was that the employee behind the deli case was pretty rude: she repeatedly rolled her eyes and sighed as she scooped out my selected food items, and she didn't make eye contact with me even ONE time while begrudgingly taking my order. Not sure what the deal was there. The cashier at the front of the store was pleasant enough, and I picked up a napkin and a fork on my way out the store to go eat in my car. A nicer deli employee would have made this a five-star (or five-cow) review. Otherwise, a sure bet for fresh vegan/raw food on-the-go! They offer a 10% student discount (with ID), too.

Pros: Variety of vegan/raw options, 10% student discount (with ID), Quick drive from campus/downtown

Cons: Rude deli counter staff