Tired of Searching the MegaMart For What You Need? Bonterra Farm Market Has You Covered!

Have you ever needed to run to the store for just a few things, maybe some milk and some  items to complete the evening’s dinner and found yourself wading through aisles and aisles of “extras”?  It seems as if our grocery stores just keep getting bigger and bigger as the years go by.  How many aisles on average do you think you truly need to visit on a typical trip?  If you are in pursuit of a healthy lifestyle full of whole foods and organic items, you could probably do without the surplus!

BonTerra Farm Market has arrived just in time.  With so many of us now turning to farmer’s markets for fresh and locally harvested items, BonTerra is a welcome addition to the valley as what should be considered a permanent European-style farmer’s market in North Phoenix.  Here, the market, deli and espresso bar will feature natural and organic grocery items, bakery, hot and cold pre-prepared items, gourmet and specialty items, imported wine and beer, a coffee shop and a full restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as offering catering services.

BonTerra is the first of its kind in Arizona and offers a 4,000 square foot store space which has been designed to be more convenient.  Founder, Bud Langstron, developed the store with a business concept positioned somewhere between Whole Foods and a community farmer’s market.

“In this day and age, people don’t want to navigate 30,000 sq. ft. of retail space and 100,000 products just to grab a few items to prepare dinner for their families, and farmers markets are starting to become more popular with mainstream consumers, but most of them aren’t open every day,” Langstrom said. “It is our goal to expedite the farmers’ market shopping experience while offering the best quality products in a clean and convenient shopping experience and low-prices he said.

And, BonTerra Farm Market’s bodega model may be on to something – President Obama recently acknowledged the “Healthy Bodega” movement and created a program initiative in his annual budget that would increase the healthy options available in urban markets.

In the store’s grocery department, you will find more than 50 kinds of produce, Boars’ Head meats, cheeses and packaged goods, multiple varieties of organic milk, juice and eggs, and bread from renowned bread bakery Simply Bread, as well as specialty gourmet food items imported from Europe.

BonTerra Farm Market is also a full sit-down restaurant featuring healthy sandwiches, salads, entrees and Mediterranean-inspired recipes. Breakfast specialties include the Frittata Italiana ($6.95) featuring Eggs, salami, ham, capiccola, pancetta, roasted bell peppers and  fresh mozzarella with a potato pancake and buttered toast, while lunch and dinner specialties include The Greco Burger ($9.95), 8oz Angus beef, grilled eggplant, lettuce, onion, tomato, Tzatziki feta sauce and sweet potato fries and Eggplant Caprese Napoleon Salad ($8.95), Layers of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, grilled eggplant, with pesto and balsamic vinegar vinaigrette with garlic herb bread.

“Consumers are getting back to basics in the preparation and consumption of food, and by providing just what people need in a small market setting they know will be open and they can get in and out of quickly and inexpensively when they need something, we are able to fill an important niche in the grocery market,” he said.

BonTerra Farm Market is located 4326 E. Cactus Road in Phoenix and can be reached by calling 602-569-3410. The store is about one block west of Tatum Blvd. on the north side of Cactus Rd.

Langstrom hopes to expand the market to other high-traffic locations including downtown Phoenix as the project grows. BonTerra Farm Market is now open daily – Mondays through Saturdays from 7am-10pm and Sundays from 8am-9pm.

Announcement by Taryn Jeffries, Phoenix Bites Staff Writer