A high-flying career as a fashion designer came to an abrupt end in 2006 when Kristen Morrison’s third child was born with Down syndrome.

Rejecting doctors’ opinions that nothing could be done, Kristen set about finding natural ways to improve her son’s health and development with optimum nutrition and innovative learning methods.

As a result, Gryffin has had a healthy start to life, exceeding all expectations in his cognitive ability, movement and overall health. Kristen documented her holistic approach in her book, Naturally Better, guiding parents on how to naturally improve the health of children with a range of conditions and concerns.

Today Kristen and her husband Joseph, along with their daughters Bronte and Pele and a young tribe of health-conscious staff are the friendly faces behind Malvern café and co-op store, Street Organics – continuing to spread their message about nurturing health and wellness with real, organic food.

Beginning as an online store, Naturally Better Foods, it morphed into a co-op style store in Murrumbeena before opening the Street Organics concept store in Malvern, with the cafe launching in 2013.

All meals, treats and snacks are made in house from scratch and cater for gluten free, paleo and vegan diets as well as low-FODMAP options.

“We press fresh nut milk every morning for our coffees and often hear our customers comment they have never seen such a big array of gluten free, vegan and organic treats in a cake display fridge,” says Kristen.

“Having discovered the incredible health benefits of eating cleanly and organically, we strive to keep our prices as affordable as we can. It can be super expensive to feed a family this way, as we well know.”

Street Organics offers a membership program which allows customers to access products at co-op prices, and dry goods are available Australia-wide through their online store.

The unique High Street shopfront features a grocery store with seating out front, inside, upstairs and down the ‘galley’ – an old corridor with a bar and wifi. There will be outdoor seating in the spring.

“The first thing people smell is the fresh-baked muffins, hot vegetable soups, nuts from our milks, ground coffee and a subtle aroma of organic essential oils from our personal care products.

“We have been told our gluten free, vegan caramel slice is the best in Melbourne, and the cashew milk latte is to die for.”

Also on the menu at Street Organics this winter are vegan curries, boozy slow-cooked stews and beef chilli, all served with a selection of grains or cauliflower rice, to eat in, take away or have home delivered throughout greater Melbourne.

“We also have some really exciting new menu items on the way from Masterchef’s Alice Zaslavsky who is the first of a series of guest chefs working with us to bring something different to our menu.”

Store / Café: 1430 High St, Malvern, Victoria

www.streetorganics.com