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On the Road: The Fresh Market, Tampa, FL

produce with pamela

I want to love The Fresh Market, but where’s the local?

Don’t get me wrong – Texas grapefruit is amazing – but I didn’t see any Florida citrus.

The only Florida tomatoes I saw were the small grape variety, and I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t scoured through the packages.

The irony of getting stuck in traffic at the Plant City Strawberry Festival on my way to the airport after leaving this store – with no local signage on peak season berries – was not lost on me.

If The Fresh Market wants to win more customers, people have to feel like it’s a unique experience with carefully curated flavors.

These produce departments are designed to entice shoppers into a fantastic eating experience. The in-house fresh-cut and prepared meals are gorgeous.

But I feel like an emphasis on local – especially in Florida – is missing.

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Pamela Riemenschneider is the Retail Editor for Blue Book Services.