HUNTS POINT, NY – While the interest and demand for specialty ingredients continues to rise, the culinary-creative are rarely able to find specialty items through brick-and-mortar retailers. In response to this growing trend in differentiated flavor profiles and produce items, Baldor Specialty Foods as debuted the second in-store, digital kiosk called The Baldor Forager.
First introduced at the Whole Foods Market in Williamsburg, New York, this item brings the company’s selection of unique culinary items to home cooks and can be found at the newly-opened Whole Foods Market at 2101 Pennsylvania Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
“At Whole Foods Markets, we’re all about constantly improving the customer experience,” said Matt Lamoreaux, Whole Foods Mid Atlantic Produce Coordinator. “We know our customers want to try new, special and exotic ingredients, however, it has been a challenge for us to stock fresh, unique produce items that are very fragile and have a short shelf-life. We’re thrilled to welcome Baldor’s unique in-store kiosk to our new store in Philadelphia. Now, our customers have the ability to order a gourmet item and have it delivered directly to the store, retaining the integrity of the product.”
This kiosk allows customers to order one-of-a-kind produce items, and is tailored to the needs of an increasingly sophisticated consumer, according to a press release. The Baldor Forager is answering the call for items like wild mushrooms, heirloom produce and other products that were once the secret of the metro area’s top chefs. Some of these items include fresh, water-grown wasabi root, salsify and an unusual variety of lavender-hued mushroom from France called a Bluefoot.
Baldor curates items like these based on uniqueness, seasonality and popularity with celebrated restaurants.
So how does the company do it? The Baldor Forager presents a digital interface which encourages exploration, discovery by presenting a retail experience focused on customization. Just place an order at The Baldor Forager kiosk and return for in-store pick-up in about a day or two on average.
Baldor CEO TJ Murphy remarked, “High-quality, specialty produce has always been the core of our business. We’re really passionate about the items available through The Baldor Forager and can’t wait to share them with a new audience in Philadelphia.”
I have been looking for such an innovation in the competitive retail landscape that is Sacramento, California, and will admit that I am still on the search; crossing my fingers that something this unique makes it out West! In the meantime, let this story whet your palate Californians.
