‘I am cancer-free, and I’m much happier, healthier and energised’

By Mary Dennehy

FIVE years ago Blessington resident John Price was diagnosed with prostate cancer, a challenging period in the father-of-three’s life that introduced him to the concept of organic fruit and vegetables and growing organic spouts from seed.

John decided that he wanted to make a lifestyle change and that changing his job was vital to achieving this, so, alongside his friend Ciaran Farrell, he established health business GreenValu in the Whitestown Business Park in Tallaght.

An innovative and inspiring business, GreenValu has not just sprout shoots here in Ireland, but also in countries such as Spain and Russia – with John and Ciaran selling around 3,500 of their personally designed, patented masticating juicers in Ireland alone each year.

GreenValu also stock in well-known outlets such as the Happy Pear and Avoca.

The Echo recently visited the GreenValu premises and it became quite clear that the customer is at the core of the business, with the team placing an emphasis on educating customers and supporting people in introducing changes to their lifestyle.

Customers from all walks of life visited the shop during The Echo’s visit and each one was greeted on a first-name basis, followed by a personal chat with John about what they were buying, growing or juicing.

John told The Echo: “We have people from all walks of life coming through here, some people are recovering from an illness, others are sick or living with a chronic illness, some are high-profile national and international athletes and others just want to introduce healthy changes to their family’s diet.

“I have enjoyed massive rewards from juicing and growing organic sprouts and wheatgrass from seed.

“I am cancer-free, and I’m much happier, healthier and energised.

“I am a firm believer that when a person is ill that they should always follow a good medical route, alongside a good nutrition route.

“When you have cancer, for example, the treatment will deplete your immune system, but feeding your body with the right nutrients will make you stronger and build your immune system, which can support quicker recovery.”

He added: “There are so many more nutrients in organic wholefoods and the benefits alone of taking a shot of wheatgrass every day are huge – there are 90 of the 102 minerals and vitamins that the body can absorb in one shot of wheatgrass!

“We are a very niche, very lifestyle-orientated and educational business, but anybody interested in what we do is welcome to drop in and have a one-to-one chat.

“We also run educational workshops because we know, and I’ve been there, how hard it can be to introduce changes and new foods into your life.”

At its shop in Whitestown Business Park, GreenValu grows its own organic wheatgrass alongside selling wheatgrass seed and a whole range of food products from organic muesli to rice milk and fermented vegetables to seeds for sprouting and grow kits.

They also stock their unique juicer, which is also stocked by 15 nutritionists nationwide.

Visit www.greenvalu.ie for more or drop into the shop or call 5444336.