Freshfields Farm: A Raw Vegan’s Perspective

[joshuataylor]

Visited there last night. Seems like a less sketchy version of the Beaver Street Farmers Market. Lots of Organic and Local options, and the prices were on point.

Hopefully they will expand their hours in the future. They close at 7pm during the week, and we witnessed five or six cars turning around in the parking lot when we left just after 7.

[brandim]

@ben Best part for me? Do you see those pineapples?! They're gigantic. Publix has one pineapple for $4.99 (plus tax) but here... 2/$4.00, no tax. I think something else that is great, is that they have a lot of everything for a good price! When you reassess, definitely let me know what you think. As a raw vegan, it is fantastic, stocked full of everything I eat!

@jaxlore I think you will love it. I would say 3/4 of the place is fresh fruits and vegetables, but then on one side, it is meat and meat and meat and more meat... which obviously, I did not check out!

@KenFSU Thanks! I am in love with this place! I hope you love it, too!

@RiversideLoki Ha ha ha... yes, I noticed that the meat selection is huge and the prices are awesome. But as much as I love Publix, this place is a treasure for me!

@thelakelander It is soooooooooo good! If your whole bottle isn't gone by the end of the day, I'll come over and finish it for you.

@BoldBoyOfTheSouth Yes! For what they do have there, it is a great selection... and the displays are kept up very well. There were at least three people stocking up the displays each time I went! While this place (aside from all the meat) is a great place for a raw vegan, it should definitely appeal to even those who just enjoy eating their fruits and vegetables!

@RiversideHusker As non-meat-eater, I couldn't tell you; I'm sure they could, though! I did see that a lot of the meat was local, so it's possible that some are antibiotic free.

@I-10east/77danj7 Maybe you missed the oranges?! Or it's possible they put something else there. There was a big display of navel oranges out front when I went... and they looked good!

@joshuataylor That is so funny you say that it is a less sketchy version of the Beaver Street Farmers Market, because I tried my best to get into Beaver Street Farmers Market, but it was so sketchy/dirty every time I went, I just stopped going. I couldn't get over how gross everything was. Nothing was washed, and it wasn't especially great-tasting to make me want to go back again. The prices were good, but that's about it. I was a little bummed about the hours, too... they seem to get great business, so maybe they will be expanding in the future-- we can hope!

[brainstormer]

I just stopped in on my way home from work this evening.  The place was packed!  And they are definitely out of oranges.   

The quality of veggie and fruit items is higher than other grocery stores in the area.  Prices are comparable.  They have many unique items that would be super expensive in regular stores.

The meat prices seemed much cheaper than Publix, especially the chicken.

Unfortunately their location is awful.  Don't plan on turning left when you leave the parking lot.

No on has mentioned the ice cream.  Had it not been so cold, I would have tried some.  Can any one speak to the taste and quality?

[ben says]

@joshuataylor That is so funny you say that it is a less sketchy version of the Beaver Street Farmers Market, because I tried my best to get into Beaver Street Farmers Market, but it was so sketchy/dirty every time I went, I just stopped going. I couldn't get over how gross everything was. Nothing was washed, and it wasn't especially great-tasting to make me want to go back again. The prices were good, but that's about it. I was a little bummed about the hours, too... they seem to get great business, so maybe they will be expanding in the future-- we can hope!

I'll reassess Freshfield, but you better reassess Beaver Street! How dare you!

[brandim]

@brainstormer Packed because it is awesome! Hopefully they get some oranges, too... it really does seem like the displays go empty like once a day. I know they just got a truck in the other day, so maybe oranges will be coming back soon. Location could definitely be better. I'm just glad Jacksonville has one of the two Freshfields Farms in Florida!

@ben Hahaha... you got it! I will be going back.

[I-10east]

Not to stray too much from the main topic, but has anyone tried the nearby Baldino's Subs down University? I gotta check them out.

[ben says]

Not to stray too much from the main topic, but has anyone tried the nearby Baldino's Subs down University? I gotta check them out.

Never been, but I've wanted to try it. The Baldino's on Buford Highway in Atlanta has insanely good reviews (and lines out the door many of the times I've passed).

[edjax]

Brainstormer......with regard to the ice cream, I was also there on a very cold day, but......I had to try it.  It was a very good soft serve!! Quite tasty and I am pretty sure most of my visits will end with a swirl cone. 

[Scott A Wilson]

@brainstormer Packed because it is awesome! Hopefully they get some oranges, too... it really does seem like the displays go empty like once a day. I know they just got a truck in the other day, so maybe oranges will be coming back soon. Location could definitely be better. I'm just glad Jacksonville has one of the two Freshfields Farms in Florida!

@ben Hahaha... you got it! I will be going back.

I think the location is great. What else is in the area besides the 40 year old WD? They did the proper research and will be successful because of it. They have great food at good prices and the lines move quickly. Use the traffic signal at Spring Park Road to help you turn left if you find that a problem.

[brainstormer]

@scott  I agree with you that it adds something new and "fresh" to the neighborhood.  Because I stopped after work the traffic was a bit much.  I didn't notice an entrance/exit onto Spring Park Road, but if there is one I will definitely use it the next time I'm there.  The traffic light would allow me to turn left on University towards home without fearing for my life.

[ProjectMaximus]

I think the location is great. What else is in the area besides the 40 year old WD? They did the proper research and will be successful because of it. They have great food at good prices and the lines move quickly. Use the traffic signal at Spring Park Road to help you turn left if you find that a problem.

Hmm, there's a fairly new Publix and Super Walmart both about a mile away, much closer than the WD I think you're talking about.

[thelakelander]

The Winn-Dixie they are talking about is about a 1/4 mile away at University Blvd and Terry Road. Freshfield Farm is in an interesting location but it's an area where new infill development should be encouraged.  I just hope someone finally does something with the site where Home Depot was supposed to do.

[ProjectMaximus]

The Winn-Dixie they are talking about is about a 1/4 mile away at University Blvd and Terry Road.

Oh, duh. Well yes, that would be much closer and much less inviting!

[jlmcleod]

I love this place and they are planning on expanding.  The only other store is in Orlando, so I don't think they knew how popular they would be here.  As to that Winn-Dixie up the street, that place is gross. I will drive past it to go to the Publix in Lakewood before I go there.  The prices at Freshfields Farm are very good and the quality of the product is truly stellar.

[RiversideHusker]

Just stopped in there on the way home and was very impressed. They have a nice selection of basic meat/produce as well as a few more "exotic" items. The prices are great. Antibiotic-free boneless skinless chicken breasts for $3.19 a pound is a steal! I plan to go back to stock up on produce. The store is a little cramped, but checkout was quick and efficient.