Terra Foods offers year round organic vegetables, produce, dairy, and more
By Suzanne Misciagna, Staff Writer, The Times
Terra Foods, located at the Market at Liberty Place in downtown Kennett Square, offers something for everyone including local organic vegetables and produce, cooking oils, dairy products, gluten free products, fresh breads and more.
KENNETT SQUARE – Take a stroll through the historic downtown area and you will find shops and restaurants galore. But, a new establishment, the first of its kind, recently opened its doors to the Kennett Square and surrounding community.
On Nov. 1, Owners Nina and Mahen Gundecha officially opened Terra Foods to the public – the first year-round organic food market in Kennett Square.
Terra Foods is the newest member of establishments to be housed in The Market at Liberty Place, a 10,000-square-foot-complex located at 148 West State Street. The Market is home to an eclectic mix of merchants offering items ranging from fresh seafood, steaks, and pizza to wines, juices, and baked goods.
“I always buy organic food whenever possible,” says Nina Gundecha. “But sometimes the search for organic food isn’t always convenient.”
While growing up in Africa, Gundecha ate farm fresh food on a daily basis. Later on, while living in London, Gundecha recalls eating fresh, local foods conveniently offered at many local town markets.
As a busy mom shuffling her children back and forth to activities in the Kennett Square area, Gundecha longed for a one-stop-shop where she could buy organic and natural food products nearby.
On a visit to the new Market at Liberty Place which opened last year, Gundecha met Liberty Place owner Larry Bosley, who shared his vision of an organic market joining the Liberty Place family. Gundecha shared this vision too and soon, thereafter, Terra Foods was born.
Terra Foods offers year round fresh, organic local produce, vegetables, and dairy products including milk, cheese and yogurt. The food is all grown locally through the Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative – a partnership of 75 local organic farms including some in Chester County.
“We live in an area surrounded by farmers and we like to support and encourage those businesses,” says Gundecha.
Terra Foods also offers gluten free products; high quality cooking oils and vinegars; grains; legumes; flours and pastas; sauces and spreads; teas, herbs and spices; additive free, hormone-free organic deli meats; snacks, bars, and chocolates; and fresh breads.
Terra Foods Manager, Mike Lukaszewicz, partners with local organic farms to provide high quality organic food items year round.
“People want to know where their food is coming from, says Mike Lukaszewicz, Store Manager for Terra Foods, with over 12 years of experience in the Natural Foods Market. “By partnering with local organic farms, we have direct contact with the farmers growing our food and can provide our customers with quality food items.”
Lukaszewicz is quick to point out that Terra Foods is not a supermarket. “We are a food market modeled after many of the small town markets you see in Europe with a focus on buying what you need, not buying in bulk,” says Lukaszewicz. “Sometimes buying food can be overwhelming with too many options to choose from,” Lukaszewicz adds. “We promote choice with a focus on using what you buy.”
Once customers purchase their food, the Terra Foods staff is happy to offer suggestions on how to prepare it.
“Many people are not sure how to prepare certain foods, such as kale,” says Gundecha. “We give them ideas, often sharing our own recipes with them,” she adds. This is just the type of hands-on customer service that Gundecha and Lukaszewicz pride themselves on offering their customers.
The Terra Foods motto is to eat well and enjoy. And, there are plenty of opportunities to do just that. Join Terra Foods every Friday night as free, live music is offered at The Market at Liberty Place. The first Friday of every month is Kennett Square’s First Friday Art Stroll. Visitors may stop by The Market for free music, art exhibits, and shop for an array of healthy, organic food items from Terra Foods. Upcoming holiday events include the Pop Up Holiday Shop at Liberty Place Market every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 12 noon – 6 p.m. beginning November 28 through December 22. Visit Terra Foods and other Liberty Place vendors as well as local artists, jewelers, and craftsmen offering unique gifts.
Terra Foods is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to
5 p.m.
Terra Foods is located at the Market at Liberty Place, 148 West State Street in downtown Kennett Square.
