A few good changes at The Fresh Market
Some corporate people were out at the Fresh Market (2540 South Bayshore Drive) today.One told me they were checking up on the store and installing new ovens that will cook the food faster. For instance a chicken that takes 2.5 hours now will only take about half an hour.She was taking inventory of the deli area and making sure they don't run out of things, which is constantly a problem there. They had a lot of nice new items in the deli; I bought a bunch of new things. Sylvia swears by their salmon wraps so I got one.
The corporate lady (wish I remembered her name) told me that the Grove store is the busiest and does the most volume out of all 78 of their locations. She said she was going to check this blog out, so now would be a good time to list your suggestions for her in the comments section.
posted by Tom Falco at 2:40 PM
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32 Comments:
now they need to get all the hydroginated oils from their pastrys and bin stuff and ill be happy.
Maybe they can come up with a system that will keep people form putting their dirty hands into the candy and nut bins to sample the stuff. Yuck. All those germs are not good.
My main peeve is the way things are set up in the store. Its almost impossible to maneuver your shopping cart around the deli area. The people waiting to be served block traffic. I understand that it's set up very attractively and everything is enormously tempting however. its not very practical. I also understand that the store is smaller than Whole Foods which is easier to get around in, but I' sure the designers can come up with a better solution than having to meander around people to get to what you need.
bakery looks pitiful worse than Publix, I mean I understand they ship everything from who knows where but those cakes are just plain vomit.
I know Ovidio (store manager) and we spoke so much about it, he needs coffee bar, doing coffee, capuchino and espresso with couple of high chairs, he needs tables outside so people can eat their lunch, also need for soup station, those crappy soups they get are big no no. (have you tried tomato soup yet, runny marinara) Just what they did with olives station they can do salad and soup station.
I guess headquarters will only do what they are used to it thats it, they are really not open to suggestions.
They were supposed to have an outdoor cafe and they should since we are giving up our waterfront for them to be there.
I love their fresh squeezed OJ.
I remember when FM opened. It was a shoppping pleasure. What most impressed me was the great attitude of the staff. Everyone greated you with a smile, "welcome", "did you find everything that you needed", "have you tried___?" Now we have Milam zombies roaming the isles and robot check-out clerks. I frequent FM for lunch and for dinner take-out... 2 people behind the counter and 15 customers, off to Gardners I go! The fish is great and fresh. But they need to put the special back in the place!
You hit the nail on the head. I stopped going to Milam's because of the staff and now the staff is all at Fresh Market, including that really nasty one that Grapevine hates. She came directly from Milam's with her Milam's attitude and bad habits.
No one at Milam's says hello, they are zombies there. Rude zombies.
do they ever have weekly specials or put anything on sale? Do they have a flyer, do they post it, do they mail it, hand it out.....???
I think The Fresh Market is a fabulous addition to our community. I am really thankful for the fresh organic produce at reasonable prices. I have had a great experience with the staff there, who have always been helpful and unassuming - as staff should be.
I surely don't need someone greeting me just because I'm in their proximity. If I look like I'm lost, confused, or need help, then yes, by all means, come to my rescue.. obviously!
Zombies aside.
The one pressing "issue" I have with The Fresh Market, is this; while I duly appreciate the excellence in produce, i.e. unblemished organic: apples, broccoli, onions, heirloom tomatoes, lettuces, fennel, etc. I disagree with the unforgivable waste that occurs with the produce that is not perfect. On any given day, the very efficient Produce Staff are sorting through the fruits and vegetables, discriminatingly removing the unsavory looking ones. Problem is, the slightly blemished (i.e. organic fuji apple) is tossed directly into the garbage, without reproach - pounds and pounds of it, and its brethren every day!
Ideas pop into my head: food bank, feed homeless, in-house damaged discount produce area; anything but the blatant waste of tossing almost perfectly good food into the dumpster.
Short of dumpster diving, I asked the manager if I could purchase the discarded mounting pile of apples (and tomatoes) - perhaps at a lesser price? The answer: no way, sorry, but it's not my doing. It is official, unrepentant Fresh Market corporate policy - where even slightly blemished produce must go into the garbage. No soft spots. No second chances. No discounts. No, no, no. I was quickly reminded that yes, of course, I'm in America, this is the American Way. But still I was appalled. I juice. I can and would easily utilize 20-30 pounds of slightly imperfect produce. I go through 50-60 lbs (of primo goods) in a week – easily.
The point being, there are more forward thinking alternatives to resolving such unnecessary wastefulness. It solution is certainly NOT creating more garbage, when said produce is still in the category of token First World food.
I look forward to a viable, noticeable solution.
As for the zombies, please don't hire chaff from Milam's, whom the bloggers here seem to have great disdain.
That's my comment to The Fresh Market corporate lady, who presumably will be reading this blog, and gaining valuable insight directly from the community that supports their busiest store.
I like the Fresh Market and dont care whether someone says hi or not. I dont mind the Milams people either. I go to a market to shop, not talk to strangers.
I agree with Elena's comment that congestion is a problem at FM. I also wish that they would post days where they get their veggies in. Every time I go there it seems as if they are always out of mushrooms. I like their seafood but I think its overpriced in most cases. The sausages there are awesome. I get the chicken/asiago/mushroom one all of the time and I like that you can buy sausage, steaks, chicken breasts/cutlets in singles rather than being forced to buy a package with a few in there.
The bins with snacks are pretty good. I go for the spicy sesame sticks, roasted corn, and occasionally those chocolate/toffee pretzels.
The prepared foods area is great too but they run out of items somewhat frequently. One thing Ive really become a fan of is the premade pizza. They always have one on special for $5.99 and Ive never had a bad one. The crust is nothing special but it gets really crispy on a pizza stone and I like that a lot.
Overall I think they do a good job but the costs are high. They do have items on sale from time to time and I loved the 79 cent blueberry deal they had! They can only get better and Im looking forward to it.
How quickly we become jaded. This building where Fresh Market is now was an abandoned boat hangar for 20 years. And nobody complained about it then.
People did complain when they wanted to tear it down. It took local activists to keep those buildings. Thanks FM for using our historic building and giving us a business that everyone can use.Also, thanks to the activists, especially the kids, that had to sit through those boring commission meetings to preserve our heritage. I can only imagine what would be there now had we not fought the demolition.
I really like the Salmon Wraps they are GOOD....
Here are my 2 sense on the zombies:
I think the zombie attitude is a Miami cultural thing. I'm guessing that most people who are bothered by it (like myself) come from more open, talkative communities (such as the Pacific Northwest or the Midwest).
If you don't notice or care about staff greetings, you probably grew up here or places where it's bizarre for total strangers to blurt out "Lovely day, isn't it?"
It's taken me over 7 years to accept the "this is just my job, I don't have to socialize with you" society but it doesn't mean I like it. I've noticed, though, that if I'm friendly & outgoing, people respond in kind.
Wow. It's great to hear other people complain that about the unfriendliness in the area. I thought that it was just me. It doesn't matter if I'm running in the morning, walking my dog or even shopping, I try to walk around, smile and say hello. Nobody in this town seems to even acknowledge your presence, unless they already know you. It's a good thing that the weather is so warm here, because the overwhelming majority of people are not.
No one should be ignored, smile at a stranger, a maintenance man, the mail person - everyone deserves to be acknowledged.
Love the bread selection and the escargots are divine. The wine guy with the samples is pretty cute too. Went one time and the store didn't have any lemons. I was horrified. Okay, maybe very disappointed.
I would love to see some small amount of warm cooked food that includes side dishes. I love the rotisserie, etc...but there's nothing to go with it. There's definitely a selection of chilled and prepared items...but i'm one of those hold-outs that don't have a microwave. Whole Foods have definitely cornered the market on prepared and warm foods, I hope the downtown Miami one is still on it's way.
wow some of you need a big cup of STFU, for one what the hell is wrong with the bakery? everything i have had from it was to die for, my only complaint is if i don't get there early i miss the triple chocolate chunk brownies, for that matter whats wrong with publix bakery? i've never looked at their pastry's but they have great breads and being the type of market it is i don't expect anything gourmet. what waterfront did we sacrifice for this market, was there a beach there before that i missed over the years?
i love the place, i say cheers to a job well done.
if ya want something to complain about how about forming a group to outlaw the construction of town homes in the grove, and try to enjoy the good things like the fresh market ;)
To be honest, if you are used to "real" pastries from NY or Boston, etc., you'll see the difference. I have never gotten anything from their pastry counter that was decent.
I think the only good thing from the bakery are the pies, which I think are brought in from outside and not baked there.
it's a grocery store for christs sake, i've traveled the world, i mean i guess i get what your saying but i think everyone with half a brain knows even a high end grocery store is still a grocery store not a pastry shop. go to a pastry shop if their goods are not up to your high north east standards *rollseyes* with your Anonymous comments i'd guess you're probably just some manager from milams anyways
It's true, their pastries taste like cardboard. Go to a real bakery if you want good pastries. Even Publix has a better bakery.
EriK I am a pastry chef graduate of J&W and been in the business for very long time and when I travel and I come home tired I love to stop by and bring home something sweet, I have not as of yet found something eatable in the pastry section, you are a bit ignorant tho calling people names, it is not called for. It is OK if you like low end pastries like Milams and Publix but most of us that are living around here would like better quality. I live a block away and would really like something better in that department. But than again people like you would not know the difference.
Cheers
chef Mark Campagnuchi
your name brings up zero results on google which means in your long time in the business you've done nothing worth mention and as someone who was a chef for years in my youth i would think someone of your experience would know that a grocery store is not where one goes to get gourmet pastries, your highbrow condescending erik you peasant act was cute though. oh upon further investigation i see no listing for a Mark Campagnuchi in the state of florida, hmmm.
anyways i'll go back to my trailer now eat my publix cake and screw my sister.....
good day to you "Mark"
ALL I WANT IS THE CHICKEN WINGS! One of the best hot items the store has to offer. If your there during the rush it is hard to justify waiting till your BINGO number is called. Have prepared hot station, freshly prepacked for those in and outers.
As far as the soups, cream based soups is a No No. I love Gardner's Market soups, fresh and not always cream based. I just have a problem paying almost $5 for a cup.
Also, what happened to the outdoor cafe there that was advertised as COMING SOON! Would be a great idea and location for affordable fresh breakfasts. Would also make a great rest spot for all the walkers/bickers/bladers. Things that make you go HMMMMMMMMMMMM.
Maybe more of a sandwich selection for the lunch crowd that wants to grab something quick and get back to work. I know they have the panini's and the wraps but there isn't enough selection. Thanks!
When making your soups and sandwiches, please remember some of us are vegetarians. Last time I looked for a sandwich, there was a Greek Salad Sandwich. Hey, I don't like olives, so now what? What's my second choice. And soups can be made without meat stock.
Tip for you my friend -- the soups at Focaccia on Grand are vegetarian, no meat and no cream and are made fresh everyday. They also have great sandwiches and salads -- also made fresh everyday.
Overall I enjoy Fresh Market- prices are reasonable - Whole Foods prices are outrageous !
However they run out of produce - such as rabbit and whole chickens and shiitake mushrooms at the most inconvenient times - such as when I am shopping for a dinner party !
Another problem is the checkout lanes at the busiest times . Usually only half are operational. On Sunday night I almost put down my basket with the intention of leaving for Publix. Many other people were doing just that. Instead I formed a new line at an empty checkout lane. About 30 people followed. Sure enough - FM found a cashier from one of the many wandering assistant managers ! !
I was told that the soups at Focaccia
are made with meat stock. Maybe that has changed. I'll ask next time I'm in. It's usually the stock that wrecks the soups for a vegetarian.
My only problem with Fresh Market (and it's a consistent one) is the one Asian lady who works at the bakery. Every single time I ask her for something, she always gives me the same response "We don't have anymore, no more" and never looks me in the eye. It's like she's too busy to even check if they have any pecan tarts in the back, or whatever I'm asking her for that day. The other night my husband and I were there and he couldn't find any apple pies out on the table so he says, "I'm going to ask at the bakery." I told him, "dont even bother, she'll just tell you that they don't have. " And sure enough, he walked over and got the exact response I warned him about. After a few words were exchanged, she simply turned around and ignored my husband.
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