MADISON – When Patricia Garcia opened her Fresh Starts Cafe’ in Madison over a month ago, she blended the perfect ingredients together — the ability to truly help others in a way she is passionate about, and meet a community need at the same time.

Because of her upbringing to appreciate eating healthy and her immense love for the relaxing atmosphere of quaint coffee shops, Garcia found herself face-to-face with an idea. There were plenty of options for coffee shops in Huntsville and a few healthy eating choices, but to find it all under one roof is a rarity in this area.

Garcia took a bold step and Fresh Starts Café in Madison was created – a perfect blend of both.

“I was wanting to start a business of my own,” Garcia said. “I like to create things, and I have a passion for healthy eating. So, why not make a go of it?”

Last week, Garcia was joined by Madison Chamber Director Pam Honeycutt and several Chamber members in a ribbon cutting ceremony for her new venture.

Garcia says she has set out to provide a safe alternative for eating out.  Fresh Starts Café, located at 7559 Hwy 72 W suite 111 near the corner of Hwy 72 and Nance Road, is a self-described “mom and pop” café and kitchen serving a menu comprised entirely of organic, natural and non-GMO ingredients.

Customers are met with a relaxing ambiance as they order a fresh cup of hot coffee or tea and a made-from-scratch breakfast burrito or the smashed avocado toast topped with organic hemp seeds and micro greens.

With a mixture of organic food and homemade recipes, Garcia says her goal is to offer a meal you can trust to provide your body with optimal fuel. “Our unique menu has something for everybody, from our vegetarian bowls to keto-friendly options like our popular primal bowl and keto coffee,” she said.

They have a wide range of delicious healthy meals, drinks and smoothies.

“I grew up that way,” Garcia said explaining the recipes she uses come from her family’s own heritage. “My mother raised us on homemade, healthy, and very flavorful meals made with fresh ingredients and non-processed foods.”

Being a mother, Garcia has created a children’s menu that comes from her experience with her own child.

The entire menu comes from Garcia’s belief that eating healthy changes lives. “My family saw what a huge difference it made emotionally, psychically and in the way we respond to people.”

“We believe it has become all too common for businesses to cut corners at the expense of their consumers,” she added. “We care about the health and well-being of our community, and our answer to the issues of our time is to dance to the beat of a different drum, get back to nature and be the change we want to see. We seek to pioneer a new industry standard that we hope will ripple into ever greater effects and a brighter future for all.”

Healthy eating is Garcia’s passion and she uses her cafe to help invest something positive in the lives of anyone who walks in. She uses this platform to help educate the community on the importance of healthy eating and encourage customers to consider a fresh start in their eating habits.

“A lot of people want to eat healthy, but don’t know where to start. We want to encourage change and do our part to help people,” Garcia said. “It’s never too late to have a fresh start.”

And, her customers appreciate that. During the day it is easy to see why so many people already love Fresh Starts Cafe. Many come to eat, some are there to work while sipping their favorite brew in a relaxing setting, and there are those who have found that Fresh Starts Café is a perfect meeting place. The mix of the right atmosphere, great food with all healthy choices, delicious drinks and friendly faces is what has already made this café a regular stop for many returning customers.

Fresh Starts Café is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. seven days a week. For more information, go to freshstartscafe.com or call 256-325-3944.