Simply Fresh | Real Food Blog

At Simply Fresh Market, we believe food should be real, with thoughtfully sourced, clean ingredients. We specialize in products we feel good about putting on our own tables. And we believe that people should have access to clean, thoughtfully sourced groceries, even if they can’t always come into the store. Because the fact of the matter is not everyone can make it into the store every week. Life is busy, schedules change, weather happens, and transportation isn’t always eas

But why would you? Let’s be honest: who actually has the time to make chicken salad at home? You bake the chicken, cool the chicken, mix the dressing, chop the vegetables, and toss in the seasonings; ultimately, you’re left with enough chicken salad to feed the whole of Livingston County—and probably a messy kitchen. That’s the trouble about homemade chicken salad: it’s never a single serving situation. It’s a whole thing. That’s why we decided to make our own chicken salad.

There’s something about meatloaf that just fits this time of year. It’s warm, familiar, and simple in the best possible way. Many families have their own take on this classic comfort food, whether it’s a special blend of ground meats or a go-to chili sauce. When we developed our original recipe meatloaf, we wanted to keep those cherished elements while adding our Simply Fresh "stamp" by using amazing ingredients and specific techniques. We start with the meat: 100% grass-fed,

Just because desserts are often saved for last doesn’t mean they should be an afterthought. That’s why our in-house bakery approaches desserts with intention. We start with real ingredients like organic flour and organic sugar. We never use artificial ingredients, because better ingredients make better desserts. Made with care, the result is a pastry worth savoring every bite. (left to right: Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Cream Pie, Monster Cookie) Chocolate Chip Our chocolate chip

It’s no secret that coffee makes you feel good. But you should also be able to feel good about your coffee. That’s why we partnered with M-36 Roasters of Whitmore Lake to craft a set of signature blends that are balanced, dependable, and high quality. The result is three organic, fair-trade varieties, each sourced thoughtfully and roasted to highlight what matters most: flavor and drinkability. Our signature blends: Dark Roast  a mix of Colombian, Ethiopian, and Mexican coff

Seven simple components, one exquisite sandwich: The Turkey Vs. Bacon. Let's discuss what has made this one stick around for nearly 10 years at Simply Fresh Market. It’s not exactly a new concept: meat, cheese, bread. But that’s exactly the point. The simple sandwich has been a beloved meal for ages. We've learned that when you start with the basics, and do them the right way, you don’t need too much else. Our take on a classic turkey sandwich has undoubtedly become one of ou

Smoothies, like juices , are a lot of work. By the time you’ve gathered your produce, measured out your ingredients, and blended it all together, you’re left with one measly serving and one messy blender. That’s why we at Simply Fresh decided to (you guessed it) simplify things for you. We debuted our line of signature smoothies in January 2025. Ever since, we’ve made it our mission to bring you all of the flavor with none of the hassle. All of our signature smoothies start w

Groceries can be found almost anywhere. There are tons of places you can go for a carton of eggs or a loaf of bread... but cold-pressed organic juices are another story.  Our original recipe juices are organic, cold-pressed in house, and made with intention from start to finish. Since 2016, we've been fine tuning these recipes to supply the perfect variety and selection to our customers. Each 12oz bottle contains two pounds of fresh produce, carefully pressed to preserve flav

Chicken soup is one of those foods that doesn’t need much explanation. It’s familiar, dependable, and exactly what you want when the weather turns cold. For us, the goal isn’t to reinvent it. It’s to do it right. That means starting off with our very own chicken bone broth, simmered in-house to build a rich, savory base. Then we add Amish-raised, non-GMO chicken breast and organic carrots, onions, and celery to create that rich flavor you know and love. If you’re wondering,

A great burger doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs quality ingredients and a little care. Back in 2019, we took on the challenge, and that special blend of quality and care proved to be the right recipe. We wanted a burger that tasted like a classic diner burger, but made with ingredients we'd confidently feed our own family. That's why w e decided to hand-shape our 4-ounce patties using grass-fed, grass-finished Michigan ground beef for a hearty, juicy, and flavo

Everyone loves homemade food, but not everyone has the time to make it. And really, you shouldn’t have to choose between quick and quality.  When we looked at what kind of ready-made meals were already out there, we weren’t exactly impressed. Too many options rely on fillers, preservatives, or ingredients that just don’t meet our standards.  So we took a different approach, and our signature collection of Simply Fresh Gourmet Meals was born.  All of our entrées are made from

Bone Broth isn’t technically a superfood, but that doesn’t mean it’s not super! And this warm, comforting favorite has become a Simply Fresh staple. Made from a blend of organic vegetables and local, grass-fed and finished beef bones, Simply Fresh Beef Bone Broth boasts rich flavor and nourishing goodness in every sip. A typical broth might steep for a few hours, but our beef bone broth is cooked low and slow for 24 hours before we put it on our shelves. A full day of simmeri

At Simply Fresh, we believe holiday food should feel special without being especially stressful. Even if you missed our catering deadline, we’re still cooking—and offering a bevy of gourmet, scratch-made entrées and sides available all week long. Our traditional holiday dishes are anything but ordinary, and each one is made with care right here in our kitchen. Even better, every option includes reheating instructions to make your Thanksgiving prep a little simpler. The center

Crispy, hearty, and made with care, our chicken strips are a comfort food favorite here at Simply Fresh Market.  We start with local, Amish-raised chicken breast, chosen for its quality— it’s humanely raised, non-GMO, and antibiotic-free. This chicken is brined overnight to lock in that juiciness we all crave in a tender. Each piece is then hand-dredged in egg, parmesan, and gluten-free breadcrumbs, which give the tenders that signature satisfying crunch. Our chicken strips a

Tony Gelardi is an idea guy. Always has been. But his most memorable idea— or at the very least, the one that bears his name— wasn’t sketched out on a whiteboard or planned in a kitchen. It happened in the moment, born from a flash of inspiration, a bonfire, and a budding friendship. Years ago, Tony was visiting his friend Ray Moses, who raises his own cattle. Tony convinced him to part with a few pounds, promising to cook up something worth sharing.  Out by a bonfire in Ray’

Fresh, crisp, and always in season, the Kale Apple Salad is a year-round favorite on the Simply Fresh Salad Bar. With a combination of crisp apples, creamy Gorgonzola crumbles, tart poached cranberries, and a satisfying walnut crunch, this salad hits the perfect balance of flavors and textures. A drizzle of our house-made apple cider vinaigrette brings it all together, giving every bite a little extra zing.  More than that, it’s versatile. It’s wholesome, flavorful, and heart

It’s always pumpkin spice season at Simply Fresh — pumpkin chocolate chip muffin season, that is. Back in 2019, Julie Gelardi — the mastermind behind Simply Fresh’s bevy of baked goods — pioneered a festive fall treat: the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffin. Of course, Julie didn’t set out to create a definitive dessert. The goal was simpler: to make a gluten-free muffin that a) tasted good and b) felt like fall. Gluten-free baked goods tend to get a bad rap. All too often, they’r

Walk into any grocery store and you’ll see it everywhere: organic . From bananas to beef to bags of candy, the label pops up constantly. But what does it really mean? Organic food is grown without chemical fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), antibiotics, or artificial additives. These foods are never exposed to herbicides, fungicides, or pesticides. Instead, organic farming uses natural methods like compost, crop rotation, and biological pest control to keep s