Under the U.S. Department of Agriculture standards, parts of Mount Rainier and neighboring Brentwood were considered “food deserts” because many residents would have to travel too far for good food.

But recently the area has turned into something of a health food oasis.

In Mount Rainier, the long-running co-op grocery, the Glut, has been joined by the Waterhole organic juice bar and Sweet & Natural bakery and cafe just steps away.

Now the owners of Sweet & Natural plan to open Journey to Health, an organic wellness café and juice bar, which is scheduled to open down the street in winter 2020, and will offer a plant-based and gluten-free menu.

The vegan soul food cafe Dodah’s Kitchen is also opening soon right across the street from the planned wellness cafe. And the area’s own urban farm, New Brooklyn Farms, has spearheaded new county rules that will allow it to expand its operations.

Further, the Savor food hall just up the road in Brentwood sells herbs grown at New Brooklyn in an “indoor mini farmer’s market” called Relish Market and offers a “plant-based food apothecary,” called VossFood.

These locally owned and managed shops are part of a broader movement toward healthy eating that in many ways can be seen all along the Route 1 corridor.

For grocery stores, in addition to the Glut in Mount Rainier, there is Yes! Organic Market in Hyattsville, Whole Foods in Riverdale Park and Mom’s Organic Market in College Park.

For restaurants, there’s also the Provost organic restaurant in Woodridge, the upcoming Gangster Vegan Organics in Riverdale Park and Nu Vegan Cafe in College Park.