Marlene Beadle remembers when friends playfully teased her for snacking on sunflower seeds.

That came at a time when health-conscious food was “just for hippies, or so they thought,” she said. Nowadays, many of those friends — and a rabidly loyal customer base — are following her lead.

Beadle channels her passion for healthy eating into Federal Way’s prime hub for natural and organic foods. Marlene’s Market and Deli is celebrating its 35th anniversary this month, and after more than three decades, the business is still growing.

“People are trying hard to fix their health,” Beadle said, “and good food is what does it.”

Marlene’s specializes in quality groceries and local organic produce without the pretentiousness associated with some upscale markets. The restaurant on the second floor is a popular lunch spot with soups, a salad bar, coffee, custom juice drinks, homemade vegetarian dishes and more — including “Marlene’s Lunch” with rice, salad and soy cheese. Beadle and crew are always reading up on nutrition news, and employees use their job to learn about healthy eating.

The store also sells an array of vitamin supplements and body care products, and serves as a host for classes and seminars related to living better.

Aside from the obvious goal of running a successful business, Beadle said the store fulfills a personal mission of providing products that people want — and need.

“My purpose isn’t just to make money. It’s to give people things that make them healthy and make them feel good, and help families grow healthy,” said Beadle, who marks her 77th birthday in June. “I love my store. Every day, I still want to come to work.”

Beadle credits two books for fundamentally changing the way she looks at healthy eating and living: “Stay Young Longer” by Linda Clark and “Let’s Eat Right to Keep Fit” by Adelle Davis. She keeps both books wrapped in plastic on a shelf in her office.

“It made sense to me,” she said of the messages in those books.

The business began in 1975 under the name Federal Way Health Foods in its first location at the former Federal Way Shopping Center. Known as Marlene’s Market and Deli since 1986, the business moved a few more times before settling in the Gateway Shopping Center at 320th Street and Interstate 5. A second Marlene’s Market and Deli opened 16 years ago on 38th Street in Tacoma.

Marlene’s has few local competitors in the organic food market aside from Trader Joe’s. Last year’s closure of Metropolitan Market in Federal Way actually boosted business at Marlene’s.

With about 55 employees at the Federal Way location and nearly 110 employees total, Marlene’s also offers medical and retirement benefits. In addition, the business is a family affair, employing Beadle’s three daughters and four grandchildren.

One of those daughters, Lisa Gebhardt, is the general manager for both stores. She credits Marlene’s approach to customer service and building relationships as a key to success.

“We’re very down home. We care about people who come in,” said Gebhardt, relaying the story of one loyal customer who arrives every morning before the store opens to enjoy coffee and a treat, then comes back later in the day to pay.

Check it out

An open house and Earth Day celebration will run 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at Marlene’s Market and Deli, 2565 S. Gateway Center Place, Federal Way. The Tacoma branch at 2951 S. 38th St. will also celebrate at the same time. The events will feature door prizes, demonstrations and free samples. Marlene’s will also offer giveaways from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 21 and 29; items include Odwalla juice, Ice Age Water, Boar’s Head gift bags and more. To learn more, visit www.marlenesmarket-deli.com or call (253) 839-0933.

Did you know?

– Organic foods are produced without synthetic processes involving pesticides, chemical fertilizers, genetically-modified organisms, antibiotics, food additives, solvents and more.

– U.S. sales of organic food and beverages grew from $1 billion in 1990 to $24.8 billion in 2009, according to a 2010 survey by the Organic Trade Association.

– Organic foods tend to cost more than conventionally-produced foods due to lower yields and higher operating costs for organic food producers.

– Organic food producers in the United States require special certification to sell their food as organic.