By Barb Gingher
Growing up in an Italian family meant always having homemade meals. We enjoyed ravioli, meatballs, gravy, and stuffed cabbage, all made with love. As life got busier, those long recipes became rare, but the love in our cooking never faded.
After moving around for years, I found a hidden gem on Amelia Island: Nassau Health Foods and its Amelia Fresh Café. The staff there truly care. You can see it in how they treat every customer. Their shelves are filled with everything from vitamins to organic meat and fresh local produce, even vegan options, plus a great selection of wines.
The produce manager always has a smile and knows customers by name. The café team prepares delicious made-to-order meals and happily accommodates special requests. They even encourage you to try before you buy, sharing recommendations along the way. It’s a lively place where workers and retirees chat while waiting for healthy food. You can feel the kindness in the air.
As I leave, the staff’s smiles and warm eye contact assure me I’ll be back soon. Nassau Health Foods feels like a family that genuinely cares about the health and happiness of their customers.
Thank you to the owner and team at Nassau Health Foods for creating this welcoming, compassionate space.
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About the Author: Barb Gingher has lived in Fernandina Beach for 25 years. She retired in 2017 from her role as Nurse Executive at Baptist Medical Center Nassau. Barb is also involved with Compassionate Fernandina, a community group dedicated to promoting kindness and respect for each other and our planet. In 2017, the city of Fernandina Beach embraced their mission, committing to actions that foster compassion throughout the community.
If you have a story about kindness in Fernandina, reach out to Peggie Weeks at pegweeks@gmail.com
