Village Provisions selective in search for sustainable products

Rachel Thompson/News-Register##Alaina Shivley shows off some of the goods on display at Village Provisions, which she runs with her mother, Julie. The two women said they carefully select merchandise with health in mind.

Rachel Thompson/News-Register##Village Provisions at 615 N.E. Lafayette Ave. offers home goods, foods, personal care items and other merchandise, with a focus on local and sustainably produced goods. The shop opened in October 2023.

Julie Shivley and her daughter, Alaina Shivley, opened Village Provisions last October to provide a place to buy local and Oregon products made and grown organically and sustainably.

“We have such an incredible variety of foods and goods available here,” Julie said, adding that “we always ask ‘is there a local alternative?’ when considering items for the shop.

Village Provisions, at 615 N.E. Lafayette Avenue, offers a wide array of goods, from beeswax candles and bowl covers and servingware made from clay, concrete and wood, to locally farmed meat, produce, dairy products and even maple syrup made in Sheridan.

Shoppers also will find foods, mixes and snacks that are gluten-free or dairy-free along with treats such as Vadnay Chocolates, Alea breads, Betty Lou’s Smackers, Briar Rose cheese and Alchemist’s Jam preserves. Nuts and seeds are available in bulk, and there’s a rack of wine, too.

Natural and chemical-free cleaning products, bug spray and personal care products available too, including Rough Cut soap from Carlton. Velvet Monkey teas and ethically sourced coffees from local companies also are on the shelves.

“We’re very selective … We look at a company’s practices” as well as its location, Julie said, noting that many items in Village Provisions are hard to find elsewhere in the county.

The Shivleys curate products from more than 60 purveyors in Yamhill County, other parts of Oregon and nearby. They make an exception to the “local” rule with organic garlic grown by Julie’s brother near their hometown in Illinois.

Julie is a midwife, fertility consultant and functional nutritionist with about 20 years of experience working with medical practices and 30 years working with clients.

She said she thought about the need for a shop like Village Provisions during the COVID pandemic. In regular stores, “shelves were empty; lots of things weren’t available.” Yet, at the same time, she realized, “we have everything here.”

That includes flours, grains and spices grown in Oregon along with more easily-found products such as hazelnuts, fruits, vegetables and meats.

She and her daughter also saw opening Village Provisions as a way to “bring the community together and promote health.”

Julie said their philosophy for Village Provisions has six pillars: offering locally grown and raised products; bringing the community and local resources together; supporting organic, regenerative practices; supporting the environment; inspiring shared meals and community; and supporting vibrant health.

In addition to selling healthful products and supplements made from whole foods, Julie offers health consulting virtually and in-person in a private office adjacent to the Village Provisions sales floor. She calls that part of the business “Vital Health Nutrition,” and said her work “dovetails beautifully” with the availability of organic and sustainable items offered in the store.

“Health and well-being include the soil, the food you eat and your lifestyle,” said Julie, who also talks to clients about diet, herbal supplements, sleep and exercise.

Alaina is a horticulturist, in addition to a partner in the business. She vets all the produce that comes into the store.

The Shivleys moved to McMinnville in 2022 after living in the Canby area for many years and Oregon for three decades.

“We came to the state to raise kids and hike, bike, camp,” she recalled. “I like the philosophy of Oregon; the focus on the way people live, the Oregon Health System, how the state was intentional about urban growth.’

When Julie went looking for a place to open a shop, Alaina and her brother, Kieren, became involved — he helped build display shelves and other equipment for Village Provisions.

Alaina and her mother opened in October and have since offered field trips to purveyors, and classes such as a 21-day detox program in addition to selling products. More classes are planned, along with a summer open house from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 27.

The event will include games and presentations by vendors who supply food, wine, olive oil and body care products.

Julie also is continuing her health consultation businesses. Appointments are available.

Village Provisions is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 503-809-1490 or visit the website, villageprovisions.market.