What do you get when the owners of a natural food market, with 40 years of experience in sourcing the finest organic foods, decide to start cooking some of it up on-site? An award-winning cafe and deli, serving up delicious, life-enhancing meals that balance health and convenience in a tasty blend.
“We’ve got such a large variety of good, local, organic produce on-hand that it just made sense to bring talented cooking into the picture,” says Chris Schneider, who opened Mother Earth’s Storehouse with his brother Kevin 40 years ago. “The chefs go out and shop the store, see what’s good, get inspired. We get a lot of nice feedback on it from quite a few customers. People say they look forward to coming here, so it definitely draws them in. “
“This is a great place for vegans or people who stay gluten-free to come with their friends, because everyone can find something to enjoy.” –Chris Schneider, co-owner
Having both the market and the cafe all in one makes putting together a quick and healthy dinner a breeze: stop by the cafe to order an entree or a salad, and then grab some items in the store to make it a meal. You could probably pick up a few tips from the chef in the process. “We have great chefs who love inventing salads and specials,”
says Chris. “We have a dedicated vegan chef, and customers seem to be loving the dishes she comes up with. This is a great place for vegans or people who stay gluten-free to come with their friends, because everyone can find something to enjoy.”
When Mother Earth’s Storehouse opened four decades ago, the concept of eating foods that are organic, fresh, and local hadn’t yet gone mainstream. Thankfully, a lot of us have been awakened to the reality that where our food comes from has a direct correlation to our health. Fresh, local, and organic food literally saves our lives, not only by steering us away from the toxins found in the mass-produced variety, but also by supporting the local growing economy and supply chain that keeps our valleys green and our farmers happy. (Plus, it tastes amazing.)
“Daily menus and specials vary, but you can count on everything being house and scratch-made, and as organic and local as possible.”
The bountiful display of organic fruits and vegetables is only the beginning of what’s offered at Mother Earth’s. The bulk-foods aisle carries an almost endless variety of dried fruits, grains, nuts, spices, teas, and coffees. It’s easily the largest bulk department in the Hudson Valley, and allows us to stock up on the healthy foods we love at a lower price, and also reduce our packaging footprint.
They even offer kombucha on tap, a grind-your-own peanut butter station, various infused oils, and flavored balsamic vinegars. Mother Earth’s also carries a wide selection of supplements, as well as household and personal care products. Even for those who are not “health foodies,” Mother Earth’s is the go-to for hard-to-find ingredients—and a nourishing lunch.
“We’ve had either a juice bar or food counter for many years,” says Chris. “We’ve always had some kind of food service on site. When we expanded the store, people were really positive about the deli, so we added more room and seating.
The scratch baked goods are a hit, too; we have all kinds—vegan, gluten-free, traditional—and people seem to really appreciate that. We’re constantly looking for ways to improve the whole operation.”
The eat-in offerings win raves. “It's epic,” says Mark from New Paltz of the salad bar. “Eden-like. Hyper-fresh with like twenty-five ingredients, some prepared, all lovingly maintained and fussed over by that Salad Goddess lady. So many delights! The pickled hot red peppers. The poached potatoes in vinaigrette. The creamy, garlicky house hummus.
That amazing curried stuff. And all your leafy green and rootsy and night-shady standards, chiffonaded and julienned with nary a wilt or speckle of brown.” That amazing curried stuff. And all your leafy green and rootsy and night-shady standards, chiffonaded and julienned with nary a wilt or speckle of brown.” That’s just the salad bar, mind you.
There are soups, entrees, wraps, sandwiches, and baked goods. Got a yen for some gluten-free, vegan mac and cheese, followed up with apple pie? An organic chicken burrito, perhaps? Vegans can feast on beautifully executed tempeh, while omnivores can enjoy savory chicken fettuccine and a side of Middle Eastern barley with pomegranate. Daily menus and specials vary, but you can count on everything being housemade, and as organic and local as possible.
Mother Earth’s Storehouse and Cafe has always been on a mission to make healthy living easier, whether you’re looking to grab a picnic or stock your pantry. If you’d like to learn more about what to do with all the lovely organic goodies, they offer cooking demonstrations and classes (check the calendar on their website).
Cafe and deli operations are located at both the Poughkeepsie and Kingston locations (there’s a third store, in Saugerties). Whichever shore you’re roaming on, the Schneider brothers and their hardworking crews are ready to feed you a lunch that you’ll feel good about all week long.
mother earth’s storehouse
Saugerties
249 Main Street
845-246-9614
Kingston
300 Kings Mall Court
845-336-5541
Poughkeepsie
1955 South Road
845-296-1069
visit us at: motherearthstorehouse.com
