The 320 Market Cafe
Monday, August 18, 2008
I’m always on the lookout for places to pick up locally grown foods, whether it’s in the city or the burbs. Lately, I’ve been finding more little gems in the burbs! My latest favorite is the 320 Market Cafe in Swarthmore. They keep a nice stock of locally grown fruits and vegetables. Over the weekend they had local squash, corn, tomatoes, peaches, and a whole host of others. They’ve also made a pledge to only carry mushrooms from Chester County (according to their newsletter, ChesCo mushroom producers are facing stiff competition from Chinese producers - who charge less, but also produce an inferior product).
Additionally, 320 stocks Birchrun Hill cheese, Seven Stars yogurt, and Natural by Nature milk, and coming this Fall you’ll be able to pick up local, organic, pastured chicken and local grassfed and pastured beef.
I should also mention that they have stellar pico de gallo. The avocado may not be local, but the tomatoes are.
It’s really great to see the 320 Market Cafe making an effort to support local farmers and our local economy. I’ve heard reports that many other small markets in the vicinity (not just Delaware County, but throughout our region) are moving toward this model, In increasing numbers, people care about where their food comes from and have the desire to keep small farmers afloat.
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320 Produce is a great market! I love that they have fresh (FRESH, with the stalks still attached) garlic in the summer from a local farmer. If you have never had fresh garlic, the taste is much better than the dried stuff you get in the local acme. My mother (who lives in Swarthmore) is Italian, and she is VERY picky about tomato sauce! 320 Produce’s frozen marinara sauce is the only sauce she will eat other than her own homemade sauce. Also, Jack, one of the co-owners, really knows his cheeses (and olive oils)...if you ask him, he is great at recommending good ones. He hand-picks each one they carry. Great sandwiches, too...(they use good italian bread...my husband is addicted to them.) When I’m home, 320 is my favorite place to eat/shopping..much better than Whole Foods and the only fresh/local take-out place in the area.