Ellen G. White: The Australian Years: 1891-1900 (vol. 4)

The Health-Food Work

It took quite a struggle to get the health-food work in Australia on its feet. While the delegates and visitors in July, 1899, were spending three weeks at Cooranbong attending the union conference session, they could observe the steps being taken to convert the sawmill structure into an efficient food factory. As Ellen White brought her Sabbath-afternoon address on “The School and Its Work” to a close, she was asked a question regarding the connection of the health-food business and the school. In her answer she indicated that there was a very close connection between the two: 4BIO 432.7

The habits and practices of men have brought the earth into such a condition that some other food than animal food must be substituted for the human family. We do not need flesh food at all. God can give us something else. 4BIO 432.8

When we were talking about this land, it was said, “Nothing can be raised here.” “Nevertheless,” I said, “the Lord can spread a table in the wilderness.” Under His direction food will go a long way. When we place ourselves in right relation to Him, He will help us, and the food we eat in obedience to Him will satisfy us.... 4BIO 433.1

The health-food business is to be connected with our school, and we should make provision for it. We are erecting buildings for the care of the sick, and food will be required for the patients. Wherever an interest is awakened, the people are to be taught the principles of health reform. If this line of work is brought in, it will be the entering wedge for the work of presenting truth. 4BIO 433.2

The health-food business should be established here. It should be one of the industries connected with the school. God has instructed me that parents can find work in this industry and send their children to school. But everything that is done should be done with the greatest simplicity. There is to be no extravagance in anything.—UCR, July 28, 1899 (Counsels on Health, 495, 496). 4BIO 433.3

Seventh-day Adventists throughout Australasia were informed through the Union Conference Record of December 1, 1899, that the manufacturing of health foods at Cooranbong was under way. Readers were told that after a long and determined and persevering effort, the Sanitarium Health Food Factory was well fitted up and able to turn out health foods rapidly. The arrangements of the factory were said to be “clean, roomy, and pleasant,” and as to the products: 4BIO 433.4

They are now manufacturing granose biscuits, granose flakes, bromose, nuttose, antiseptic [charcoal] tablets, granola, caramel cereal, nut butter, wheatmeal biscuits, gluten biscuits, gluten meal.... White and brown bread, for the school and the immediate neighborhood, are also made at the factory. We are thankful to see this enterprise at last on its feet. 4BIO 433.5

The health-food business in Australia was just coming of age, and the prospects were bright. 4BIO 433.6