Fresh Market

Fresh Market is a "junior" Whole Foods in the Southeast. Same good looking stuff, pumped-up deli with entire meals, and higher prices. One of the things we found on the shelves was Heinz Turkey Gravy in a jar. Who the heck would buy that, at prices 50% over Kroger?

Fresh Market is not just in the Southeast; they have stores throughout the eastern half of the country. In the Chicago area, there are stores in Geneva (off Randall Road), Kildeer (on Rand Road just north of Deer Park Town Center), Wilmette (in Edens Plaza), and, as of last month, downtown Lake Forest (around the corner from Caputo Cheese Market). We shop there occasionally and have found that they have generally high-quality meats and prepared foods, with quite a large selection of the latter.

I would not call it a "junior Whole Foods" as WFM specializes in natural foods, and Fresh Market does not. But they both feature cooking demonstrations and helpful customer service.

I really like Fresh Market.

In my experience, Fresh Market has some wonderful produce in comparison to Whole Foods. It's pricey. But, overall, cheaper than what you find at WF. This past spring, I feasted on wonderful fresh peas and an incredible variety of beets from my local Fresh Market. Much to my surprise, one day they had a big display of Buddha's Hand- a citrus native to southern California- and something I have no idea what to do with. No one else did either since they ended up all going bad without many being sold.

Like WF, they have lots of bulk items including freeze dried green beans and okra- unusual snack foods for me at least. The Fresh Market in Atlanta is the only place in town that carries Intelligenstia Coffee. High end frozen Foods. Well prepared deli items. And, their own coffee roasts- for which I don't particularly care.

Most of their stores also sell lots of local items. It's not nearly as pricey as Whole Foods. Each week, they have a handful of good meat specials -mostly choice beef. Every now and then, you'll hit their $7.99 a pound tenderloin special.

Thanks for your thoughts. I did not at first notice that FM did not have a large component of organic/"natural" foods, but upon relection that is certainly true of the Macon store.

As for their produce, there was a large selection of items not normally seen in mainstream grocers in central GA. But the quality was suspect, primarily due it being beyond useful shelf life. There were a lot of wrinkled peppers and cukes.

The bakery was impressive both in size and number of offerings. But as is true in most grocers today the "artisan" bread was nothing more than a flavored sponge. I long for authentic Latvian or Polish rye that I used to get at Eurofresh in Tinley.

FM did have a nice wine selection and a reasonable variety of beer. Cheese and prepared foods were great. Also liked the bag & buy snacks and candy.

We'll go back as the alternative is to drive 125 miles to Atlanta.

I still wouldn't buy Heinz gravy there...........................

I just remembered that FM did have Slotkowski smoked Polish. While smoked sausage is found all over down here, nary a Polish seasoned one in sight.

Fresh Market to explore sale amid 'competition pinch'

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ ... story.html