Albany Fresh Produce

Dunno what their actual hours but Unilocal says midnight. The darkness in the windows and the time now suggests sometime before 10pm

My main problem is remembering that they are now there and available — I became used to having to go up to Safeway or Andronicos for fresh meat or vegetables along Solano Ave. Having a neighborhood store that not only sells meat but carries organic produce and dairy is fantastic!
It’s a small shop so they’re not able to restock with shiny fresh stuff every day. There will be days when some of the produce is past its prime, but that happens with both organic and small produce stores and, in my opinion, is a small price for the consumer to pay for having it close to home and not picked when green and flavorless like the stuff big groceries stock!
And they’re NICE! Just really pleasant, friendly and open. We bought a quart of organic milk there one day and, as we were heading home, I questioned if the way the carton was expanded was okay or a sign that it was not so good. We went back to the store and the owner said it was fine but, so that we’d be sure, he showed us that all the other cartons of organic were just the same and then OPENED the one we’d brought and used it in his own fresh-​brewed coffee! Of course he gave us another. Which was fine for breakfast the next day.
I love that they have some bulk bins of dry goods and also some interesting Middle Eastern spices and condiments available in addition to the usual corner store goods.
I hope they stay and flourish. Which will only happen if people in the neighborhood patronize them regularly. Previous incarnations at this corner location haven’t always done so well, but part of that was the people behind the registers being not as cheerful and open as the current staff and part the quality and type of goods offered. The current owners do seem to understand what the majority of Albany residents value (fresh, local, organic, healthy) so I think they have a good shot at success. Help them out though and, when you need a few things for supper, stop at Albany Fresh rather than Safeway. It’s good for our neighborhood!

Albany Fresh Produce is the new market at the spot formerly known as «Happy Produce.» The new owners are fantastic, and they have expanded into fresh meats (free range chicken and grass fed beef!) and dairy products as well as a much larger, fresher selection of vegetables and fruit.
It’s always been a dream of mine to be able to buy every ingredient for a gourmet home-​cooked meal right on that corner, and I did it last weekend for a recipe from Bön Appetit: fettuccine and parmesan from Zarri’s and asparagus, fresh shiitake, shallots, fresh oregano, fresh thyme, whipping cream, and eggs from Albany Fresh Produce. Tonight I’m making chicken cacciatore with their delicious chicken thighs.
Thanks for brightening up our neighborhood, Albany Fresh Produce!