ROBERT HUDSON

Increasing people’s health awareness is one of the things that Linda’s Health Foods aims to do.

Linda Michalski, owner of Linda’s Health Foods, located in downtown Troy, said her interest in health was what lead her to open the business.

“I started by working for a health food store and became very interested,” Michalski said. “Eventually I went out on my own.”

She opened her current establishment in Troy on Oct. 1, 2009.

Despite her current store only being open for a few months, Michalski said she has extensive experience in health.

Michalski got her start as the owner of a health food store located in South Fla.

“I’ve had a health food store in South Florida,” Michalski said.

“My family’s from Troy, and I moved to be close to them.

“I’ve been in the health business for about 30 years. I do nutritional testing ,and I just incorporated the store in with the testing.”

Michalski specializes in nutritional testing for customers and offers healthy foods and materials.

“I get a lot of referrals from people that have been tested nutritionally, that wanted to see what their nutritional needs are.

“I have Vitamins, minerals, herbs. I have frozen food, refrigerated food I have a lot of gluten-free products for people who are gluten intolerant. That’s a big thing in Troy.”

Michalski also said that she tries to help accommodate customers even if she does not have what they need in the store.

“I do special ordering for people,” Michalski said.

“I also carry a wide variety of herbs and do special formulations for people if they need it.”

Michalski said that while she certainly wants her business to be successful financially, helping people is a top priority.

“Troy needed a health food store,” Michalski said. “People were having to drive about 50 miles to get the things they need.”

Linda’s Health Foods is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.