Local Produce Available at The Fresh Grocer

The Fresh Grocer has joined forces with The Common Market, a Philadelphia-area wholesale distributor of local foods, to make it easier for shoppers to buy locally grown produce. The collaboration is the first between a full-service supermarket and the organization.

“Connecting local farms to Fresh Grocer customers continues to build on their commitment to quality, value and the health of our region,” noted Tatiana Garcia-Granados, co-founder and executive director of The Common Market, which is based in Philadelphia.

Area-grown produce from farms in The Common Market’s consortium first arrived at three of the seven Fresh Grocer stores last week in Drexel Hill, Pa., west Philadelphia and north Philadelphia. The items are merchandised in farmers’ markets within the produce sections of each store in high-traffic areas. Accompanying informational signage tells the story of each farm as a way to build personal connections between farmers and customers.

“The Fresh Grocer is committed to offering high-quality perishables,” said Patrick J. Burns, president and CEO of the Drexel Hill-based chain. “Providing customers the option to purchase locally grown produce is another great way to offer the freshest products available while continuing to support our local farmers.”

Come direct from five local farms, the first produce items available at The Fresh Grocer’s in-store farmer’s markets include iceberg lettuce, kale, Swiss chard, blueberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, butterhead lettuce and broccoli.

The grocer will carry Common Market-sourced produce year-round, with items available according to their seasonality.