Fresh Market Livens Up Food Shopping

It’s week two of our exploration of health food markets in the Towson area. The town’s newest addition is high-end grocer , which opened last week on Dulaney Valley Road, across from . 

Store: Fresh Market

Location: 838 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson

Phone: 410-494-4930

Website: http://www.thefreshmarket.com

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.  

The new Fresh Market doesn’t look anything like the old Super Fresh that used to stand in its place. The former sold day-old angel food cake, limp produce and operated with self-checkout registers. You won’t find any of those things at Fresh Market. 

Today, the space has been transformed into what feels like an open market. Brightly colored fresh foods and flowers make it a happy place. Bins line the center of the store, filled with everything from coffee beans to grains to every kind of trail mix you can imagine.  

The store carries popular lines such as The Fresh Market Brand items (TFM), Godiva, Almond Breeze, So Delicious, Fage, Kefir and Out of Africa.

As you shop, stop by the butcher to order fresh meats, the seafood counter for scallops and the bakery for freshly baked cakes and breads. The prepared food bar contains items like double baked potatoes, chicken kabobs, creamed spinach and Waldorf chicken salad.  

The store’s slogan is “Experience the Food.” According to its website, the store’s mission is to provide only the best, freshest selection of meats, produce, seafood, baked goods and prepared dishes. This is not just an organic market—it's a high-end store that carries a wide variety of items such as organic produce, Coho salmon, first cut seasoned rib roast, Pirate's Booty snacks, signature deli meats and domestic and imported cheeses.  

Fresh Market accomplished its mission. It’s a beautiful grocery store. Customers stop under each awning, just as they would stop in various shops in Europe. All that’s missing is a mural of blue sky and clouds painted on the ceiling. 

Pluses: It’s a beautiful store that carries decadent treats like Godiva chocolates, flower baskets, bins of coffee beans and unique high-end specialty items you may not be able to find other places. Everything is fresh, including the meats, which are cut or ground daily. Bakery items are made fresh, and customers are invited to sample most of the prepared foods. There’s plenty of free parking, but don’t use it for mall parking, because security officials patrol the lot for violators.

The Fresh Market’s baked goods are delicious. My favorite is the pineapple coconut bread. The website provides a ton of information to help consumers with things like how to select the right wine for your dinner party or understanding the differences between various cooking oils. Also, because Fresh Market has its own brand, TFM, some items are less expensive than national brands. 

Minuses: This is a high-end grocer, so it’s not cheap. Shopping there is an experience, but it might not be your all-in-one grocery store. There are bins and bins of candy, smack in the middle of the store, which means moms with children could have a hard time making it out of the store without jelly beans, gummy worms, unicorn pops or crying children. 

Costs: Cloverland organic milk costs $4.19 per gallon.

I didn’t find Ezekiel Bread, but found Ultimate Grains All Natural Whole Grain Bread, which was on sale for two loaves for $5.  

Join us next week as we visit The Natural Market in Timonium to learn why this tiny health market, hidden behind Giant Food, maintains a loyal following.