Fresh Madison Market Celebrates First Anniversary

One year after Fresh Madison Market opened its doors at 703 University Ave. in downtown Madison, the locally owned market has since experienced the usual growing pains of a new business, but also has been embraced by the local downtown and campus community, students, and general public.

To commemorate its one-year anniversary, Fresh Madison Market (FMM) this week will celebrate the occasion with in-store specials, iPad and grocery giveaways, and a rollout of their commitment to local businesses and products with the launch of a “True Local” campaign focused on highlighting Wisconsin-made products.

Exclusive to Fresh Madison Market, the “True Local, Made in Wisconsin” logo will be printed on in-store POP vehicles with a goal of highlighting all of the local products in the store’s inventory by making the items easily identifiable.

Customers will also be able to download a special mobile application on their smartphone to further enhance the store’s commitment to the local vendor. The application will take in-store materials one step further, by enabling customers to scan a barcode by taking a picture of it with their smartphone. Fun, interactive media will teach the consumer about the brand and how the product is made. If the product is not made in Wisconsin, the app will offer local alternatives in the store’s inventory. There may even be a coupon available that the customer can scan at checkout.

FMM created the exclusive app in partnership with SnowShoeFood, LLC, which was founded by a group of UW graduate students who entered themselves as a competitor in the UW-Madison‘s Climate Leadership Challenge.

SnowShoeFood’s submission was a mobile app that helps users evaluate the environmental impact of the food available for purchase at a grocery store. The team won a $15,000 prize recognizing their innovation, as well as a one-year lease for their idea.

The group approached store owner, Jeff Maurer, with their idea and incorporated Fresh Madison Market’s store philosophy and ideas into their submission. Maurer thought this app could benefit his tech-savvy customer base, which is very environmentally conscious and locally committed, alongside an interest to highlight his commitment to carrying local products.

“We are so fortunate to be located in the middle of the University of Wisconsin campus,” said Maurer. “This group is indicative of the great group of smart students at this University and we’re proud to have been partnered with them. I see this app not only good for us but for our vendors such as RP Pasta, Silly Yak Bakery and more. It creates great awareness for them and subsequently, increased sales. These sales stay in Wisconsin enhancing our local and state economies.”

Representatives of SnowShoe Food, LLC. will visit the store to demonstrate how the app works, as well as describing its benefits and answering consumer and media questions. Smartphone users who download the app during the two-week anniversary celebration will be entered into a drawing for a free iPad.

Currently exclusive to FMM, SnowShoeFoods, LLC. is currently recruiting more grocery stores outside of Dane County to carry the app.