Earth Fare will open its first Michigan store in Portage, at 5070 S. Westnedge Avenue, on Feb. 25.
As mlive.com reports, the local operation is part of a growing Asheville, North Carolina-based chain of supermarkets in the Southeast and Midwest that has been anticipated by area people who like natural and organic foods.
The Earth Fare on South Westnedge will employ 96 workers.
Earth Fare markets itself as the provider of the freshest produce, seafood and meats, and it touts its scratch-baked organic breads, made in-house deli options and knowledgeable staff.
Its stores are full-service supermarkets that also sell frozen food, dried goods, beer, wine, vitamins and herbal supplements. Stores also have food stations that offer cookies, pizza, salad, sushi and other items.
“Customers can confidently shop knowing that our products are free of high-fructose corn syrup, artificial fats and trans-fats, antibiotics and synthetic growth hormones, as well as artificial colors and sweeteners, and that’s just the beginning,” said Dave Mock, chief merchandising officer of Earth Fare. “Earth Fare is proud to read the labels so that our customers don’t have to.”
The store is expected to feature a growing number of locally produced and grown regional products, says mlive.com. According to information provided by Amanda Arnet, new store marketing manager for Earth Fare, the business also will partner with local organizations, including Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes, to provide regular donations.
Construction of the supermarket began in late April on a 5.3-acres site off South Westnedge Avenue adjacent to the Lowe’s Home Improvement store. Construction of the project, part of a multimillion-dollar development on that site by Portage-based developer Hinman Co., was completed recently.
Earth Fare has 35 stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio and South Carolina.
