Diane Larkins – Sheridan, Wyoming … The Better Life Natural Food (BLNF) store in Sheridan, Wyoming, was launched by Gerita Leibelt, wife of Lonnie Leibelt, the pastor of the Sheridan Seventh-day Adventist Church at that time, July 10, 1978.
In an effort to find some healthy flour to teach the church community how to bake whole wheat bread, Gerita and church members pooled resources to purchase whole wheat flour. There was no health food store in Sheridan in those years.
The news began to spread by word of mouth, and people of the community showed interest in buying bulk food. A section of the Sheridan Church’s fellowship hall was partitioned off to provide a store space that was accessible to the community.
Church members rallied to bag and label food goods in smaller portions more suitable for purchase by the public. The store space eventually became too small to accommodate the demand, and soon, a contractor was hired to remodel the fellowship hall, doubling the size.
Currently, the BLNF store is open two afternoons a month and loyal customers have it penciled on their calendars. The store is stocked with a variety of organic oats, flours, nuts, seeds, legumes, rice, dried fruits, canned vegetarian analogs, and more. Many informational programs have been offered free of charge through the store including Diabetes Undone, depression, personal finances, cooking schools, the eight laws of health, and promoting the Arm of the Gospel. Signs of the Times magazines are provided with each purchase.
The most exciting part of the BLNF are the connections made in the community: people knowing we are there; people sharing their struggles, cares, and concerns; and that divine appointments take place. Customers comment on how grateful they are for the store being there, letting the store know they are unique and the only Adventist health store for miles around. The funds from sales are used for evangelism and needs in the community.
—Diane Larkins is writes from the Sheridan Seventh-day Adventist Church and supports the BLNF. Photos by Rajmund Dabrowski.