The Fresh Market to mark 40th anniversary

The Fresh Market plans to celebrate 40 years in business next month with an array of special deals and products — and a golden ticket contest featuring two anniversary chocolate bars.

Kicking off July 1, the anniversary promotional campaign also will include a Fourth of July celebration meal, and The Fresh Market will sell a limited-edition collection of exclusive items created in partnership with its vendors, the Greensboro, N.C.-based specialty grocer said.

The Fresh Market's 40th anniversary campaign includes a special edition of its magazine (pictured left) plus a range of exclusive product offerings (pictured below, right). (Images courtesy of The Fresh Market)

The July 4th meal, priced at $40, serves two and includes first-cut New York strip steaks (two 10 oz. cuts), asparagus with diced red peppers and sea salt (16 oz. steamer bag), two loaded twice-baked potatoes and a shrimp cocktail tray (8 oz.).

The Fresh Market said the special-edition products include Special Anniversary Wine Exit 92 Anniversary Edition, Special Anniversary Ruby Red Bouquet, Poppy Hand-Crafted Pimento Cheese Honey Butter, Homestead Raspberry Lemonade, TFM Celebration Crunch Snack Mix, Anniversary Elevated Bacon Cheddar Burger, Le Fermier Lavender Yogurt, Killer Brownie Cookies and Cream special edition, Pimento Cheese Panini and Thomas Sauce kabobs.

Related:Chilean retail group acquires majority stake in The Fresh Market

All 40th anniversary products and recipes and a history of the company can be found in The Fresh Market Magazine’s special July edition.

“Our goal at The Fresh Market is to make every season special for our guests, and our 40th anniversary is one we want to make especially memorable,” CEO Jason Potter said in a statement. “Our team has curated these one-of-a-kind commemorative products and offers that not only embody the origins of our brand but, more importantly, we know guests will really enjoy.”

Beginning July 5, and while supplies last, the fresh, natural and organic grocer also will introduce two Anniversary Chocolate Bars in Dark Chocolate Himalayan Sea Salt and Toffee Pretzel Sea Salt flavors. Customers who find a golden ticket inside will win a $40 The Fresh Market gift card.

In March, The Fresh Market marked a milestone with the launch of its first customer rewards program, called the Ultimate Loyalty Experience, in which shoppers can save on items throughout the store with exclusive member pricing.

The Fresh Market was founded by Ray and Beverly Berry after he left his job at The Southland Co. overseeing 3,600 7-Eleven stores. They opened the first The Fresh Market store in March 1982 in Greensboro, embracing an open, farmer’s market concept providing an enhanced shopping experience and focusing on fresh, locally produced foods.

Related:The Fresh Market launches its first shopper rewards program

Overall, The Fresh Market now operates 160 stores in 22 states, with most locations in Florida. Last month, the retailer announced that Cencosud, a leading retail group based in Chile, had acquired 67% stake in the grocery chain in a deal valued at $676 million.