Page 66 - February2019

sweet potatoes when you rst walk in. We buy direct. We source locally when we can. We do everything in our power to provide you the freshest, healthiest harvest at the lowest price.”
EARTH FARE
hood market,” according to its website.
In 2018, the Palm Harbor-based chain was acquired by Omaha, NE-based The Healthy Edge, Inc., a subsidiary of AMCON Distrib- uting Co., a consumer products rm. The stores opened in 1993 and originally oper-
ated under di erent names.
FRESHFIELDS FARM
The produce department’s aisles are lled with many tropicals, roots and other items. Fresco y Mas is designed to provide shoppers “an authentic Hispanic grocery store experi- ence,” according to Southeastern Grocers. The stores market products catering to each store’s neighborhood, according to its website.
LUCKY’S MARKET
Earth Fare, Orlando, FL
Marketing “healthy food for everyone,” the Fletcher, NC-based Earth Fare is one of the largest U.S. natural and organic food retailers. It operates more than 40 locations in 10 states in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. In 1975, Earth Fare opened its rst store in Asheville, NC. In 1997, it expanded to Charleston, SC, and in 2007, expanded with other stores in that state, in North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. Earth Fare runs 13 stores in Florida, with locations in northern parts of the state in Tallahassee and Gainesville all the way down to South Florida, where one is slated to open soon in Boynton Beach.
“We are committed to local and organic,” according to its website. “We planted our roots over 40 years ago with a commitment to provide healthy, delicious and organic produce – and today we o er more certi- ed organic produce than anyone else. We also relish the opportunity to bring fresh, local produce to your table by working with farmers who take great pride in growing heir- loom varieties and seasonal favorites.”
EARTH ORIGINS MARKET
Natural grocer Earth Origins Market oper- ates eight stores, all in Florida. The locations, in Lake Mary, St. Petersburg, Palm Harbor, Port Charlotte, Gainesville, Ocala and two in Sarasota, “strive to be your green neighbor-
66 / FEBRUARY 2019 / PRODUCE BUSINESS
“Bringing the farm to you” is the slogan of FreshFields Farm, which operates stores in Orlando and Jacksonville. Started in 1973 in Orlando as a small meat market, Momm’s Meats Popp’s Produce later changed its name and underwent several expansions, including opening in Jacksonville in 2013.
A red barn façade is what shoppers rst see upon entering the stores, which only sell produce and meat. The stores’ mission isn’t to be a conventional supermarket. “Much of our product comes directly from farmers, growers and packing plants. By buying in bulk directly from the source, we eliminate distri- bution trucks and warehouses, which gets farm fresh food to you fresher and cheaper,” the chain says on its website.
FRESCO Y MAS
Lucky’s Market was started by chefs Trish and Bo Sharon in Boulder, CO, who wanted to create a grocery store chain appealing to food lovers with a ordably priced organic, natural and local foods. The chain of 36 stores in the Midwest and Southeast operates 16 stores in Florida.
Visiting the store, shoppers notice a large selection of fresh produce. The stores are designed as farmers markets, and the produce department features wooden crates, barrels, eld bins and garage door entrances that portray a natural feel of the variety of produce sold in the store.
PUBLIX
FreshFields Farm, Orlando, FL
Lucky’s Market, Alafaya, FL
Fresco y Mas, Orlando, FL
Produce is a big part of Fresco y Mas, a chain of 25 stores that caters to the Hispanic demographic in South Florida and Central Florida. In 2016, Jacksonville-based Southeastern Grocers, Winn-Dixie’s parent company, opened the Hispanic-themed chain in former Winn-Dixie stores. The stores serve shoppers in Miami, Hollywood, Hialeah, Homestead and Lauderhill. In 2018, South- eastern Grocers expanded the banner in Orlando and Tampa.
Fresh produce is important for the 800 Publix Super Markets stores in Florida. It began in 1930 in Winter Haven, FL, and has since expanded throughout the South- east. Lakeland, FL-based Publix markets to customers through 1,213 stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. In Georgia, it operates 186 stores. Publix is the 10th largest U.S. volume supermarket chain and the largest employee-owned grocery store.
Publix touts its longstanding relationships with farmers closest to its stores. “We work
Publix, Tampa, FL
Earth Origins, Lake Mary, FLL
SUPPLEMENT