Besides boasting a snazzy website that includes a recipe book, health toolbox, and weekly challenges, Earth Fare has cornered the Charlotte market on vegetarian and vegan grocery shopping... and perhaps even dining.
Touting themselves as "the healthy supermarket," Earth Fare works hard to back up their claim. According to their food philosophy, Earth Fare has banned foods from their shelves containing trans-fats; high fructose corn syrup; artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, and preservatives; antibiotics; synthetic growth hormones; bleached flour and among other "unmentionables." They even provide a "Boot List" of funny-sounding ingredients and whether or not they're allowed through Earth Fare's doors. Looking at this list, one may begin to wonder what exactly those other local grocery stores are selling, excluding - of course - Trader Joe's, which pretty much follows the same guidelines.
Watch the video to learn about Earth Fare's socially responsible product policy.
Speaking of those other grocery stores, a vegetarian, vegan, or even a health-conscious citizen may be hard-pressed to find a prepared lunch-hour meal, or family-sized dinner from the deli department on the way home from downtown. But at Earth Fare's deli-bakery, it's like "(veggie) cheeseburgers in paradise".
With clearly-labeled "vegetarian" and "vegan" tags, approximately half of Earth Fare's prepared deli foods are suitable for those following a healthy plant-based diet. On any given day, you may choose from mock chicken salad, Israeli couscous, barbeque tofu, buffalo soy nuggets, eight bean soup, roasted vegetables, orange mashed sweet potatoes, curry tofu, sesame kale salad, vegetable sushi, seasoned quinoa, and Pacific Rim tofu. And it appears their selection only continues to increase.
Not to be outdone, the Earth Fare bakery department is one of the few in town catering to vegans - those following a pure plant-based diet with no animal products. Vegan carrot cake is their specialty, with the staff readily admitting that the sales of this vegan slice of heaven top their "regular" carrot cake counterpart containing egg and milk. If carrots aren't your thing, be sure to look for their vegan blondie (with chunks of dark chocolate), vegan brownie (if you happen to be a chocoholic), or vegan cookies (in oatmeal raisin or chocolate chip varieties).
As for drinks, their all-natural selection can't be beat, with plenty of naturally-sweetened teas, and kombucha for the die-hard health nut that doesn't mind the occasional chunk of raw culture in his or her beverage.
The Earth Fare café is Charlotte's version of the Whole Foods café (it seems no Charlottean can figure out why the latter chain won't embrace Charlotte), with free WiFi, comfy booths, and outdoor seating available.
And best of all, Earth Fare not only is familiar with "vegetarian" and "vegan" terminology, but they'll also welcome you with a giant smile and likely have a new veg-friendly recommendation up their aprons next time you arrive.
Comments
The soy nuggets at Earth Fare are awesome...those and the vegan chocolate chip cookies! And the head chef is very nice and if you have any ideas, he is more than willing to bring new vegetarian items or recipes in for people to enjoy! Thank you for writing this wonderful article about such a fantastic store!
Ms. Wilson, what a fabulous piece on Earth Fare! I have heard of them but didn't really know what they are all about. Thank you so much for opening my eyes to healthier options and for being an advocate for vegetarians and vegans world-wide! Hopefully my town (Denver,NC) will build an Earth Fare soon! Thanks again Ms. Wilson!
Would love a Whole Foods in Charlotte still!! A lot more deals to be had there. Things can be much cheaper when you combine WH's coupons with a manufacture coupon on 1 item. Earthfare only has coupons from Mambo Sprouts on their Web site and in store- a lot on eccentric items. Still frequent EF, but would love a competitive choice!
The vegan chocolate cookies at EF are good! They could do with some more vegan bakery options though... specifically vegan cakes. WF does have a better selection of those (not that there is a WF in my current area but the town I used to live in had one).
I absolutely love EF. The Ballantyne location has the best employee's - very helpful and friendly. The South Park location, however, is much, much different. They are always out of something in the cafe area (that's the cafe - Not the deli area) and when you order a smoothie they become very disgruntled. I hate having to travel all the way to Ballantyne but I avoid the South Park location at all costs.
David - agree, the soy nuggets had me looking twice to make sure I wasn't eating chicken! The vegan chocolate chip cookies kick my butt when it comes to trying to stay healthy. ;)
Dana - so glad I can help! I'm hoping the Lake Norman area will get some Earth Fares and Trader Joe's up there as well, since we may be headed that way for an apartment soon!
Lib - for sure! I can't for the life of me figure out why WF won't come to Charlotte! I tried writing them, but alas, no love, no response.
KSClarke - Likewise, butt-kicking vegan cookies at EF!! And agree, the carrot cake is killer, but I'd give my left pinkie finger for a vegan chocolate cake option. :D
Charlotte - Boy oh boy, do I agree with you there! My hubbie and I actually avoid much of SP for those same reasons, EF and otherwise. Ballantyne is our EF of choice, and the deli staff has some of the nicest people in the world!
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