Freshfields Farm: A Raw Vegan’s Perspective
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Metro Jacksonville's Brandi Gregory takes a trip to Freshfield Farms and provides a tour of the new store through the eyes of a raw vegan.
Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-jan-freshfields-farm-a-raw-vegans-perspective
Wasn't all that impressed. It was OK, but I'd have to really, really want to trek over from riverside to get there. I can see myself going there maybe once every month or two.
The positives:
1) Obviously fresh, moreso than Publix (At least on a visual and touch inspection).
2) Good prices
3) Good selection of meats
The bad:
1) Just felt that it was a terrible use of usable square feet. You wouldn't know it until you walked inside, but the place is small. Probably half the size of the riverside publix. I think they could have done a much better job from a construction/use standpoint.
2) With the exception of 1 or 2 items, the fruits/veg weren't anything "different" than what you'd find at a normal grocery store.
3) The deli meats were pre sliced and looked terrible
So I guess I can sum it up in "it's OK, good prices, average selection...would probably only go back if they had something I needed or if I was in the neighborhood"
Will go back again this week to reassess.
Why would you expect a store that basically only has produce and meat to be anywhere near the size of even a smaller Publix??
Quote from: edjax on January 16, 2014, 07:44:55 AM
Why would you expect a store that basically only has produce and meat to be anywhere near the size of even a smaller Publix??
Because I was in this building before it was completely torn/down and renovated, and I was in this building before they started laying the groundwork for Freshfield. It's huge. You'd think they'd sell, I dunno, products you can't get at every other store in town.
Was hoping something more along the likes of Dekelab's farmers market...a better use of space by way of more product variation.
Someone was just raving about this place yesterday. I will definitely have to check it out. I appreciate the raw vegan perspective as well, even though I love grass roots, its nice to round out the shopping with a few other choices.
Cool article, Brandi. I have been meaning to check this place out. Will have to stop in this evening.
As an evil, dirty carnist, the place is great for meat prices. I scored about 2 months worth of chicken, beef, pork, etc. for around 100 bucks. And the quality has been good with everything I've eaten so far. But yeah, the selection isn't anything special. The only reason I would go is because it's on my way home from work. Otherwise I'll just keep going to riverside publix which is 7 blocks from home.
I think I'm going to check this place out this weekend. Brandi has sold me on the strawberry lemonade.
Great selection and displays.
Looks great.
I'm not a vegan, though, there are still plenty of fruits and vegetables there that I really enjoy.
There's a building behind there, I assume it's their warehouse, but it does look a lot bigger from the outside than the inside.
Good prices, but you just can't beat http://www.carrollsmeatshoppe.com/ for the best prices on meats. Especially if you shop their monthly calendar.
Is the chicken/beef antibiotic free? And if so, how does the price compare to the Public Greenwise chicken/beef?
Just came back from Freshfields Farm (pretty weird name, as it seems like 'Freshfield Farms' roll off the tongue better). They have a nice selection of fruit, although for whatever reason, I couldn't find any oranges. FF reminds me of a fruit and veggie version of the Star Meat House (Edgewood, former Mom's Kitchen); Both have fruits, veggies, and meats. Star Meat House has soul food meat (pig tails etc) where as Freshfields have organic fruit. Ironically both Freshfields Farm, and the Star Meat House are in Jax and Orlando.
I might totally be making this up, but for some reason I remember reading somewhere that the layout was a necessity based on the way they load their products, package the products on site, and maybe something about a future expansion as well?
Not sure where I read this...either an article about the store or on its website.
I for one am a fan although I don't go very often.
Quote from: I-10east on January 16, 2014, 02:18:57 PM
Just came back from Freshfields Farm (pretty weird name, as it seems like 'Freshfield Farms' roll off the tongue better). They have a nice selection of fruit, although for whatever reason, I couldn't find any oranges. FF reminds me of a fruit and veggie version of the Star Meat House (Edgewood, former Mom's Kitchen); Both have fruits, veggies, and meats. Star Meat House has soul food meat (pig tails etc) where as Freshfields have organic fruit. Ironically both Freshfields Farm, and the Star Meat House are in Jax and Orlando.
They had a huge sale on big naval oranges this past week...we loaded up on them so that may be why they didn't have any oranges this week
Visited there last night. Seems like a less sketchy version of the Beaver Street Farmers Market. Lots of Organic and Local options, and the prices were on point.
Hopefully they will expand their hours in the future. They close at 7pm during the week, and we witnessed five or six cars turning around in the parking lot when we left just after 7.
@ben Best part for me? Do you see those pineapples?! They're gigantic. Publix has one pineapple for $4.99 (plus tax) but here... 2/$4.00, no tax. I think something else that is great, is that they have a lot of everything for a good price! When you reassess, definitely let me know what you think. As a raw vegan, it is fantastic, stocked full of everything I eat!
@jaxlore I think you will love it. I would say 3/4 of the place is fresh fruits and vegetables, but then on one side, it is meat and meat and meat and more meat... which obviously, I did not check out!
@KenFSU Thanks! I am in love with this place! I hope you love it, too!
@RiversideLoki Ha ha ha... yes, I noticed that the meat selection is huge and the prices are awesome. But as much as I love Publix, this place is a treasure for me!
@thelakelander It is soooooooooo good! If your whole bottle isn't gone by the end of the day, I'll come over and finish it for you.
@BoldBoyOfTheSouth Yes! For what they do have there, it is a great selection... and the displays are kept up very well. There were at least three people stocking up the displays each time I went! While this place (aside from all the meat) is a great place for a raw vegan, it should definitely appeal to even those who just enjoy eating their fruits and vegetables!
@RiversideHusker As non-meat-eater, I couldn't tell you; I'm sure they could, though! I did see that a lot of the meat was local, so it's possible that some are antibiotic free.
@I-10east/77danj7 Maybe you missed the oranges?! Or it's possible they put something else there. There was a big display of navel oranges out front when I went... and they looked good!
@joshuataylor That is so funny you say that it is a less sketchy version of the Beaver Street Farmers Market, because I tried my best to get into Beaver Street Farmers Market, but it was so sketchy/dirty every time I went, I just stopped going. I couldn't get over how gross everything was. Nothing was washed, and it wasn't especially great-tasting to make me want to go back again. The prices were good, but that's about it. I was a little bummed about the hours, too... they seem to get great business, so maybe they will be expanding in the future-- we can hope!
I just stopped in on my way home from work this evening. The place was packed! And they are definitely out of oranges. :(
The quality of veggie and fruit items is higher than other grocery stores in the area. Prices are comparable. They have many unique items that would be super expensive in regular stores.
The meat prices seemed much cheaper than Publix, especially the chicken.
Unfortunately their location is awful. Don't plan on turning left when you leave the parking lot.
No on has mentioned the ice cream. Had it not been so cold, I would have tried some. Can any one speak to the taste and quality?
Quote from: brandim on January 16, 2014, 04:25:55 PM
@joshuataylor That is so funny you say that it is a less sketchy version of the Beaver Street Farmers Market, because I tried my best to get into Beaver Street Farmers Market, but it was so sketchy/dirty every time I went, I just stopped going. I couldn't get over how gross everything was. Nothing was washed, and it wasn't especially great-tasting to make me want to go back again. The prices were good, but that's about it. I was a little bummed about the hours, too... they seem to get great business, so maybe they will be expanding in the future-- we can hope!
I'll reassess Freshfield, but you better reassess Beaver Street! How dare you!
@brainstormer Packed because it is awesome! Hopefully they get some oranges, too... it really does seem like the displays go empty like once a day. I know they just got a truck in the other day, so maybe oranges will be coming back soon. Location could definitely be better. I'm just glad Jacksonville has one of the two Freshfields Farms in Florida!
@ben Hahaha... you got it! I will be going back.
Not to stray too much from the main topic, but has anyone tried the nearby Baldino's Subs down University? I gotta check them out.
Quote from: I-10east on January 16, 2014, 06:47:48 PM
Not to stray too much from the main topic, but has anyone tried the nearby Baldino's Subs down University? I gotta check them out.
Never been, but I've wanted to try it. The Baldino's on Buford Highway in Atlanta has insanely good reviews (and lines out the door many of the times I've passed).
Brainstormer......with regard to the ice cream, I was also there on a very cold day, but......I had to try it. It was a very good soft serve!! Quite tasty and I am pretty sure most of my visits will end with a swirl cone.
Quote from: brandim on January 16, 2014, 05:54:13 PM
@brainstormer Packed because it is awesome! Hopefully they get some oranges, too... it really does seem like the displays go empty like once a day. I know they just got a truck in the other day, so maybe oranges will be coming back soon. Location could definitely be better. I'm just glad Jacksonville has one of the two Freshfields Farms in Florida!
@ben Hahaha... you got it! I will be going back.
I think the location is great. What else is in the area besides the 40 year old WD? They did the proper research and will be successful because of it. They have great food at good prices and the lines move quickly. Use the traffic signal at Spring Park Road to help you turn left if you find that a problem.
@scott I agree with you that it adds something new and "fresh" to the neighborhood. Because I stopped after work the traffic was a bit much. I didn't notice an entrance/exit onto Spring Park Road, but if there is one I will definitely use it the next time I'm there. The traffic light would allow me to turn left on University towards home without fearing for my life.
Quote from: Scott A Wilson on January 16, 2014, 08:54:24 PM
I think the location is great. What else is in the area besides the 40 year old WD? They did the proper research and will be successful because of it. They have great food at good prices and the lines move quickly. Use the traffic signal at Spring Park Road to help you turn left if you find that a problem.
Hmm, there's a fairly new Publix and Super Walmart both about a mile away, much closer than the WD I think you're talking about.
The Winn-Dixie they are talking about is about a 1/4 mile away at University Blvd and Terry Road. Freshfield Farm is in an interesting location but it's an area where new infill development should be encouraged. I just hope someone finally does something with the site where Home Depot was supposed to do.
Quote from: thelakelander on January 16, 2014, 10:16:14 PM
The Winn-Dixie they are talking about is about a 1/4 mile away at University Blvd and Terry Road.
Oh, duh. Well yes, that would be much closer and much less inviting!
I love this place and they are planning on expanding. The only other store is in Orlando, so I don't think they knew how popular they would be here. As to that Winn-Dixie up the street, that place is gross. I will drive past it to go to the Publix in Lakewood before I go there. The prices at Freshfields Farm are very good and the quality of the product is truly stellar.
Just stopped in there on the way home and was very impressed. They have a nice selection of basic meat/produce as well as a few more "exotic" items. The prices are great. Antibiotic-free boneless skinless chicken breasts for $3.19 a pound is a steal! I plan to go back to stock up on produce. The store is a little cramped, but checkout was quick and efficient.
Has anyone tried their Applewood Smoked Chicken? Holy crap, it's SO flavorful!!! The smoked seasons permeate all throughout the meat! IMO it's easily the best flavorful rotisserie 'esque' chicken that I've tasted in Jax so far, and it's just $5.99. On the down side, it's pretty small (about the size of Publix's rotisserie) but that great smoked flavor more than makes up for it.
The pulled pork is good as well.