Do we really know what goes into or on our food and do we really want to know?

At the Duck Soup Co-op you can get a healthy alternative to foods which contain ingredients which you cannot pronounce.

Janet Razbadouski, manager of the Duck Soup Co-op., located at 129 E. Hillcrest Dr. said the store has been in business since 1974.

She said before the co-op was on Hillcrest Dr. it was located behind the DeKalb firehouse on 7th and Pine Street and it was called Juicy Johntanks which served natural foods.

Natural organic foods are “foods without sugars, fillars, hydraugenated fat, additives and preservatives,” Razbadouski said.

“We have the largest selection of organic natural food. We have organic cheeses, beans pastas and produce, just to name a few,” she said.

“We have 100 products in bulk and people can scoop out what they want, she said.”

Razbadouski said the Duck Soup Co-op is a member owned co-op and non-profit organization. Members own $70,000 worth of the Co-op.

To become a member of the co-op there is a $25.00 refundable equity share in the co-op and there is a $10.00 yearly fee. Members of the co-op get a discount on the off-the-shelf price of different items. Working members, who work regularly at the co-op, get a discount, too.

Members also get discounts if they buy items in bulk. Working members join a work committee like prepacking committee and chesse cutting committee “so they can get some experience in a particular area. Anyone can walk in and apply to be a member.”

Razbadouski said they also have a board of directors that is over the co-op who are members and they hire employees.

“It all depends on the product,” she said in regards to the prices of items in the store. “The cheese is the best and cheapest in town, grocery items are kind of espensive,” she said.

“On some things the prices are cheaper than a health food store. Food in the bulk ends up cheaper than pre-packeged food in the store,” she said.

She said the Northfarm co-op is the wholesaler who supplies the cheese and bulk food to the soup co-op.

At one time the co-op sold food only to members but since March 11th it has been opened the general public, she said. “This change in policy makes us more accesible to the public. We encourage people to come in and shop. We’re having a grand opening in April,” she said.

Razbadouski said she has been eating natural foods for sometime. She said she definitely feels a difference when eating these foods. “Eating a wide variety of food is important,” she said.

Linda Hildreth, a member of te co-op, said she is very pleased with the service and its new location. She said that she buys cheese, bulk items, spices, vitamins and cosmetics at the co-op.

In regards to the opening the store to the general public she said,”opening to the public is a wonderful idea.”

She said the natural foods have definitely made her feel great.

The Duck Soup Co-op is open Wednesday from 10:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. “In April we will be expanding our hours,” she said.