FoodWorks Natural Market Offers Alternative To Supermarket Experience

By Nancy K. Crevier

Despite an economic atmosphere where many businesses are choosing to downsize, FoodWorks Natural Market owner Ralph Johnson, of New York, whose three other natural supermarkets in Connecticut and Rhode Island have thrived for more than 20 years, felt that the store would fill a needed niche in this section of the state, and that now was the time to expand, said general manager Kathy Susara.

FoodWorks Natural Market opened December 17, 2010, in the Clock Tower Square, 477 Main Street, Monroe. “We think and hope that people are trying to eat better and eat healthier,” said Ms Susara, and she is pleased to already see a growth in business at the new store, particularly taking into the account the grueling winter that has passed.

“We’ve had a terrific response from the community in welcoming us here,” said Ms Susara.

“I am very happy not to have to drive all the way to Whole Foods in Westport now to shop,” said Newtown resident and health counselor Melanie Drohan, as she browsed the aisles on a rainy afternoon. “I love having a store like this nearby,” she added.

FoodWorks Natural Market is a full-service supermarket focused on providing all-natural groceries and environmentally friendly dry goods to a health conscious clientele. “I would say our demographic is probably women ages 30 to 60,” said Ms Susara, “and a lot of those women are moms. Women want to buy healthier for their children and the environment,” she said.

A 24-foot refrigerated case borders one wall of the 5,600-square-foot store, featuring organic-only produce. Linked to that is a section filled with chilled fruit and vegetable juices, waters, and other natural beverages.

On the opposite side of the store, a case of equal size carries natural, local, and organically produced dairy and meat items. Dairy sensitive shoppers will find a line of “cheeses” made from soy, almond, or rice milks, as well. Raw milk is available at FoodWorks, and locally produced cheeses and yogurts join the more nationally known brands.

Fresh ground, all Angus ground beef, rib-eye steaks, and ground turkey, and chicken, all certified humane, organic and cage-free eggs, and tofu from The Bridge in Middletown can be found in the case, as well. Adjacent to the refrigerated section is an extensive frozen food department, where everything from breakfast items to snacks to breads, vegetables, fruits, fish, meats, desserts, and packaged meals can be found.

A large selection of frozen, gluten-free items is sold at FoodWorks. “We carry DePuma’s frozen, gluten-free pastas, which are made locally, and they are delicious,” said Ms Susara, “and we also carry his gluten-free pasta sauces in the grocery section.” The frozen foods are an excellent complement to the numerous other gluten-free grocery items to be found at FoodWorks, Ms Susara said.

It is that greater variety of specialty food items, vegan foods, and vegetarian foods that sets FoodWorks apart from mainstream supermarkets, said Ms Susara, as well as the customer service. “We are here for our customers,” she said. “We want people to feel like FoodWorks is their small, hometown store.” Questions to the knowledgeable staff are welcomed, and FoodWorks plans to hold regular, low-key question-and-answer sessions at the store to help educate the public about various products and environmental concerns. The store sets up sampling trays on a daily basis to introduce shoppers to new and popular items.

Another draw to FoodWorks Natural Market, Ms Susara said, are the many specialty items. An extensive selection of vitamins, homeopathic remedies, and tinctures fills one section of an aisle. “Our store manager, Holly Bishel, has many years of experience in this area, and can answer questions,” Ms Susara said.

Specialty flours are available and special dietary needs are addressed by many items stocked, or FoodWorks will happily assist in special orders, she said. The store also tries to support local products, so long as the items meet strict FoodWorks criteria of containing no artificial colors or flavorings, no genetically modified ingredients, no growth hormones or antibiotics, or other artificial ingredients. “We like ‘clean’ products, made with ingredients that people recognize,” stated Ms Susara.

Among the local products carried are honey from New Haven, sold in bulk or bottled, salsas, eggs, raw milk, cookies, granola, and coffee that is roasted in East Lyme.

FoodWorks is also proud of the number of items sold in bulk. Nuts, beans, peas, cereals, granolas, snacks, and flours can be purchased in amounts that range from ounces to pounds. The same goes for the Frontier herbs and spices sold in bulk. “Buy a pinch or a pound” extols a sign above the spice rack.

Staple items such as pastas, rice, sauces, nut butters — including convenient squeeze packets — jams, breads, canned goods, and cereals are stacked in colorful displays up and down the spacious aisles, and a full line of Yogi and Traditional Medicines teas rounds out the huge tea department. But there is no need to make a second trip elsewhere for dry goods. Dish soaps, detergents, paper goods, pet foods, cleaning supplies, and earth friendly disposable diapers are in good supply at the market.

“We have a wonderful book and gift section, too,” said Ms Susara, where informational and cook books, palm oil candles, T-shirts, cards for all occasions, and other small gift items can be found. A skin care department features products by Suki, Dr Hauschka, EvanHealy, and Zuzu, and baby care products by Weleda and Kiss My Face are among the items for babies and new mothers.

Shoppers with small children will appreciate the bright window corner set up with two tables and chairs, and a pint-sized picnic table and toy cash register. Premade sandwiches, wraps, and salads, delivered twice a week from the Guilford FoodWorks store, are conveniently located in a nearby refrigerated unit for those who need a lunch break before finishing up with shopping.

Regular customers will want to look into the frequent shopper programs, said Ms Susara. FoodWorks offers a free Vitamin Card and a free Health and Beauty Card, both redeemable after ten punches for $15 off of a purchase; a Frequent Shopper Card for a one-time cost of $5 that entitles the holder to $15 off of the grocery bill after ten punches; and a Health and Wellness Program for those with chronic or debilitating diseases. A five-cent per bag discount is rewarded to customers using reusable bags, and FoodWorks provides a ten percent discount on full-case purchases, as well as a 15 percent discount to senior citizens, every day. Information on these programs is available at the checkout counter.

“We are looking forward to more people discovering us here, in Monroe,” said Ms Susara.

FoodWorks Natural Market will hold its Grand Opening Saturday, May 14, from 10 am to 2 pm. Free samples, food tastings, talks by holistic practitioners, raffles, and door prizes are expected to make it an enjoyable occasion for all, she said.

FoodWorks Natural Market in Monroe is open from 9:30 am to 7 pm, Monday through Saturday, and on Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm. The store is at 477 Main Street, Monroe, in the Clock Tower Square. For more information call 203-452-9500.