A modest new market committed to selling local produce, meats, and more has opened up at 1900 West 1st Avenue, at the corner of Cypress.
The 1700-square foot space, open seven days a week, is the first brick and mortar location from Vancouver’s organic home grocery delivery service SPUD, and specializes in organic, local, small-batch goods.
Inside in Be Fresh Local Market (Jess Fleming / Vancity Buzz)
Showcasing a variety of farm fresh goods, local artisan foods and products means the produce at Be Fresh Local Market is reminiscent of the fruits and veggies you might find at the Vancouver Farmers’ Markets.
With so many people here in Vancouver becoming increasingly more conscious of where their food comes from, this style of grocer is a welcome addition to the neighbouhood.
Fresh organic produce at Be Fresh Local Market (Jess Fleming / Vancity Buzz)
Grocery shoppers who drop by the Kitsilano outpost can expect to see range of local artisanal eats, like Nice Vice Cream, Erin Ireland’s To Die For loaves, Two Rivers Specialty Meats, berry jams from Kits Kitchen, and more.
Besides the market, Be Fresh also features a café, where visitors can grab delicious and nutritious Be Fresh meals-to-go, freshly baked goods, smoothies, and coffee made with A.G.R.O Roasters beans from East Vancouver.
Local products at Be Fresh Local Market (Jess Fleming / Vancity Buzz)
The new storefront and program speaks to SPUD’s devotion of being the lowest impact grocery store in North America and offers shoppers a unique and seamless grocery shopping experience.
In addition to purchasing supplies in store, customers frequenting the West 1st location also have the option to set up home delivery in store on the computer provided. This is a great resource, especially when customers purchase too many things to carry or simply want to order more items than the store carries.
Comparatively speaking, Be Fresh is a lot smaller than most traditional grocery stores, however, Be Fresh leverages SPUD’s warehouse and distribution centre. In doing so, Be Fresh offers their customers a range of over 4000 products from organic milk and bread to ice cream, toilet paper, and laundry detergent.
Ordering at Be Fresh Local Market (Jess Fleming / Vancity Buzz)
Working in conjunction with Be Fresh, SPUD’s new environmentally sensible bike program means SPUD shoppers within a two kilometre radius of a Be Fresh Local Market can get peddle powered grocery delivery five days a week for free. Customers living outside the designated zone will be able to get their goods delivered right to their doorstep via a truck.
“Twenty years ago, the Big Box retail concept entered Canada. Times have changed however, and we believe that local community-based shopping is what people are looking for,” says Peter van Stolk, CEO of SPUD, in a media release. “Be Fresh provides the balance for the conscious consumer wanting local organic products, minimal environmental impact, as well as a great vibe. Using a creative combination of technology, logistics and cool looking bikes, we create a unique experience that doesn’t steal from our children.”
Be Fresh Local Market
Address: 1900 West 1st Avenue
Phone: 604-568-7783
Website: www.befreshlocal.com
Hours: Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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