The Golden Almond

I decided to check this place out after seeing an advertisement on the back of a Natural Awakenings magazine. Kombucha? Sold. Moving to the south has me seriously missing some staples of the PNW.
As soon as we walked in, I made a beeline for the refrigerated cases in the back to check out their kombucha selection. Either they were out or the demand around here is just lacking because there were only 2 different kinds, one flavor of the Synergy brand that had chia (which you can buy at Publix) and one other brand, which I think might’ve been brewed in Ohio (the only other place I’ve seen this particular one was in Louisville). They do have kombucha starter kits, which is a plus.
I noticed that many of their products can be found at your typical grocery store if you know where to look. In addition to being pretty pricey, the sticker prices on each individual product are frustrating. In my opinion, it just seems more efficient to have the prices displayed on the shelves so that customers don’t have to pick things up and search for them.
On a more positive note, the staff is very attentive and friendly.
In general, it doesn’t quite do anything for this Seattle transplant but for the area, it is a decent little store.

Nicely stocked natural health and food store. Went here today to try to find more places that carry non-​dairy products like yogurt and ice cream. They had a small but perfect selection. Gonna come here often.

Its small, but its all we’ve got in FWB. I do wish they carried a little more variety, but being a vegan in a podunk, meat eating town isn’t easy. The Golden Almond makes it a bit easier.
The staff are friendly, but the prices are a bit high.

Ok so we don’t have a locally owned natural foods coop in FWB or a Whole Paycheck, but we do have this place. I would have to drive to Pensacola weekly if it wasn’t for Golden Almond. The people are friendly and helpful and they will order anything they don’t have or bulk if you want. I wish they would expand a bit but because we are in a smaller area I think they would probably lose cash. You can get the best priced and most delicious organic juices and smoothies here too. Sometimes they offer a little salad that is yummy. If you come here a lot get their frequent buyer card for a discount it’s worth it! Check in on Facebook once a month for a 10% disc.

I recently visited this GOLDEN ALMOND gem by my Allergists office. It’s so cute! I love the whole mom and pop shop feel about it. It holds all organic snacks and household products, alternative remedies, and a small selection of frozen organic foods. No fresh produce available though.
They do have coupons available on their website that I would recommend since shopping here can get pricey.
I especially love their CHEESY KALE CHIPS that are about $ 6/​bag. But what I really like is their juice/​smoothie bar. $ 6.75 for 12 oz or $ 7.75 for a 16 oz. They also carry organic fresh made soups for sale. Check it out for local holistic services on their community board in the back and the people working there are so nice and sweet.

Finding this place was like having the heavens open up with choirs of angels singing, or at least it made me happy inside, but it came at a price. Not knowing the area and wanting to get some whole foods turned out to be hell on earth due to traffic, driving around and getting lost and the the straw that broke the camel’s back. Shortly thereafter, we felt like we were crapped on because there were 3 places that were in Destin and we drove 25 minutes one way to find the Golden Almond.
To people vacationing in the area of Destin and wanting to go shopping for some of your regular healthy staples, this can be one of your stops and I’ll fill you in on the rest. People that live in Ft. Walton Beach, you can check it out and make recommendations to the owner if you like her to carry something that she doesn’t have.
The Golden Almond does not sell any produce, but they do have most everything you’ll need to make smoothies that stick. Flaxseed & the oil, coconut water, agave nectar, raw nuts, medjool dates, even Living Nutz (see my review for
). They also carry all types personal care products like toothpaste, sunscreen, hair cleaner that’s natural and organic, so if you left something at home, you can pick it up here.
Our faves here were the Spiru-​tein packets. I know that name sounds nasty, but those packets make some really tasty smoothies and they’re healthy which makes no sense because they taste like they should be polluting your body with crap, but they’re not. I recommend the Chai Latte, the Cookies & Cream, the Orange Cream and the Black Cherry OMG — yum!
The ladies that operate the store are so nice and helpful; they will find items for you in the store, call other stores nearby for you to help locate the items you are looking for and offer to order the items for you, which is very nice, especially if you live in the area.
For other health food stores/​places to get organic, check out these:
*The Name is Natural Destin, FL
*Fresh Market Destin, FL (Right next to the Home Depot if you go 98E)
*Publix (they have a decent amount of organic foods & products)
*Feelin’ Good Health Foods Destin, FL