January 2026 – Think of your microbiome as a bustling community of tiny helpers living in your gut that keep digestion running smoothly. They also play a role in immune health, chronic disease prevention, and mental well-being. While the science behind the microbiome can get pretty complex, taking care of it doesn’t have to be. The basics are simple: eat probiotic and fermented foods, and ease up on processed foods, added sugars, too much caffeine, and alcohol. Learn more about the microbiome here https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/microbiome/
Drivers offers a wide array of fermented foods, focusing on probiotics and gut health, including kefir, probiotic drinks, various brands of kimchi (Queens, Mother-in-Law), sauerkraut (Wild West Ferments, Wildbrine), miso (Miso Master, South River), traditional pickles (Bubbies, Sonoma Brinery) and fermented veggies like beets, onions, and radish (Golden State Pickle Works.)
Here’s a taste of what you’ll find chilling in our fridges:
Sauerkraut and Pickles
Fermented foods have a long history in many cultures, with sauerkraut being one of the most well-known. Considered an Eastern and Central European dish, a traditional sauerkraut is made with sliced cabbage and salt. Golden State Pickle Works offers an award-winning cabbage kraut, and a range of outstanding salt-brined pickled veggies. Salt-brined pickles retain probiotic cultures, while vinegar-based pickles do not.
Miso
Miso is a traditional Japanese ferment. It’s thick paste is produced by fermenting soybeans with salt and kōji and sometimes rice, barley, seaweed, or other ingredients. South River and Miso Master have both been producing unpasteurized, naturally fermented miso in the US since the 1970s.
Kimchi
A Korean fermentation of cabbage with spicy pepper, garlic, ginger and more. We carry a number of outstanding kimchis, including Queen’s and Ozuké’s traditional style, and Twins Premium Cubed Radish “KKakduki” style.
Kefir
Kefir is a fermented drink with probiotic benefits comparable to yogurt. While traditionally made from dairy milk, we carry plant-based options as well. Kefirlab and Forager both offer probiotic kefir made with alternative milks.
Supplements
Probiotic supplements add to your existing supply of friendly microbes. We carry a few options in our dairy fridge. Jarrow is a combination of multiple strains of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, the beneficial bacteria that naturally occur in a healthy digestive tract. Available in vegetarian capsules and womens health formula.