Family Health Food Store Celebrates 50 Years of Community Wellness

Sometimes, a brief detour can change the course of a family’s history. In 1976, Donna Chartier was passing through Colorado Springs when she stopped at a small health food store. After a three-hour conversation with the knowledgeable owner, Donna was inspired. With just $10,000, she opened her own small store to support her own health and her community.

Fast forward to today, and that 700-square-foot shop has expanded into a thriving 3,300-square-foot wellness hub in Durant, Oklahoma. Originally carrying only vitamins and herbs, the store now offers a wide array of essential oils, skincare, and groceries. Following Donna’s passing in February 2024, her daughter, Jana Marksberry, took the helm. Bringing 20 years of her own health food store experience, Jana continues to honor her mother’s legacy by putting customers’ needs first and maintaining a meticulously neat and organized shopping environment.

Family Health Food Store was first introduced to Dr. Ohhira’s® Probiotics by their representative, Larry Hutchins. They were drawn to the product because it uniquely combines prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics from a fermented food source. Through one-on-one education and literature, the staff helps customers understand the “Dr. Ohhira’s® Advantage,” explaining how the formulas contain multiple strains of bacteria, alongside beneficial paraprobiotics, the inactivated cellular components, and postbiotics that provide significant gut support.

The real proof, however, is in the customer feedback. Jana notes that customers who haven’t seen a difference with other brands often report rapid relief with Dr. Ohhira’s®, especially when returning their stomachs to normal after a temporary bout of stomach issues. The team prides itself on helping their Facebook community and local patrons understand the importance of the entire digestive system, focusing on both recovery and everyday prevention.

This September 2026, Family Health Food Store will proudly celebrate its 50th Anniversary. If you are ever in Durant, be sure to stop by and experience their incredible dedication to wellness firsthand.