Garden Cove Produce vs Fresh Market – Huntsville

I decided to check out another local “health food” store here in Huntsville yesterday. Garden Cove produce is located on Meridian St. just off Pratt Ave, so not a haul for me at all. It’s cute on the outside, but definitely has a different vibe from Fresh Market.  Fresh Market is fancier, no doubt.  Garden Cove is groovier.  The Fresh Market clientele are mostly yuppies. The Garden Cove clientele consists of older folk and younger “hippie” types.  This assessment is based on one visit, so take that with a grain of salt.

Garden Cove has a variety of produce, both conventionally grown and organic, and the prices are reasonable. They also have signs telling you where the produce came from and why it’s healthy (eg. good source of potassium). I like knowing the origin of the produce, and the rest is just a bonus. The World’s Healthiest Foods site is a great source to find out nutritional information on a variety of foods.  But I digress.

Garden Cove also has a variety of bulk items, which is something I appreciate.  Why should I buy a $4 box of quinoa when I only need half a cup?  As someone who cooks for one, I appreciate being able to buy in smaller amounts.  I end up spending and wasting less.

Fresh Market has some bulk items, but not enough.  Candy and maybe dried fruits?  I remember looking for grains and being unable to find them.  One thing they have that I do appreciate is the olive bar.  I haven’t seen another in Huntsville yet.

Garden Cove also had a good selection of other “health food store” type items.  Most of these are a tad pricey. I couldn’t find any protein powder at Fresh Market, but I saw some at Garden Cove.  They also had a large selection of different vitamins and supplements.   Oh, and frozen wheat grass juice.  I have a funny story about that that I’ll save for later.

Garden Cove doesn’t appear to sell meat, poultry or fish.  Fresh Market sells all three and has a butcher (but so does my beloved Star Market).  Fresh Market also has a prepared food section, but it looked more expensive that what I’m used to at Whole Foods.

Both stores have their strengths, so I can see myself patronizing both for different reasons.