Long before Whole Foods, Healthway was in the area selling organic produce and natural foods. The branch in Annandale, pictured here, opened over 20 years ago. Now there are 11 locations.

A family-run business based in Virginia, it's not a produce/bakery/meat/fish market like Whole Foods, but a classic health food store with a small range of fresh produce and a large range of dried goods, like the serve-yourself grains and pulses in bulk in the photograph. In the grocery line are wholewheat pastas, honeys on tap, dried fruits and nuts, and general foods. In the freezer are gluten-free meals. Everything is certified organic, include the pet foods and dried herbs. There's a section for cruelty-free beauty products and homeopathic medicines. A really friendly staff is on hand to guide the novice.