Louie Castriota and Brad Clark pose inside the newly opened Leg Up Farmers Market in York. Clark, right, an industry veteran, helped design Castriota’s, left, dream store where locally produced, healthy products are sold and the profits benefit Leg Up Farms and Able-Services. Leg Up Farmers Market opened last month with great enthusiasm from York residents seeking healthy, natural and organic products. The 18,700 square foot full-service, natural foods grocery store supports non-profit Leg Up Farm, a therapy center in Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania for children with special needs, and Able-Services, a day program for adults with special needs, in York.
The store, located at 3100 North George Street in York, is the dream of Louis Castriota, who along with his wife Laurie, opened Leg Up Farm in 2010 and Able-Services in 2014.
To plan, open and operate the store, Castriota hired Brad Clark to serve as chief operating officer. Texas native Clark has many years experience in the natural and organic foods business. He worked for Whole Foods for 22 years and Earth Fare, based in North Carolina, for several years. After a move east, he met Castriota through his wife, who works for Leg Up Farm.
Clark drew the initial store design on a sheet of paper with a plan to fit as much as he could into the building size.
“The store offers all natural products,” Clark says. “Our goal is to have a huge local presence and it increases every day. There will be no private label. We want to show that we will support the local economy.”
Shoppers will find an excellent selection of locally grown, organic produce. They can also order fresh juice, smoothies and coffee at the Juice and Brew coffee bar, where Leg Up Farmers Market roasts its own beans and uses freshly squeezed juice.
Local bakery products, including gluten-free and vegan versions, are sourced from Sugar-Whipped in Lititz and Cooper Crust in York. They are all-natural with no artificial colors or additives.
Prepared food offerings include brick-oven pizza, with freshly made dough, sauce and all natural toppings; sushi sustainably sourced and made by the in-house chef; and paninis, sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups and hummus all made in-house.
Meat is showcased in a 12’ service case featuring grass and grain fed beef and pork, supplied by farmers located within 50 miles of the store. Current suppliers included beef from Forge Hill Farm in Mt. Wolf and grain-fed pork from the Dale Nolt Farm in Manheim.
“Our staff is extremely knowledgeable,” Clark says. “Our product traceability far exceeds anyone in the industry.”
Fresh fish and seafood are all sustainably sourced.
Leg Up Farmers Market offers a wide variety of bulk food items, including peanuts that can be ground into fresh peanut butter. Balsamic vinegar and maple syrup are among the 120 items available to buy in bulk.
“Buying bulk foods reduces the packaging needed,” Clark relays. “The customer can buy as little or as much as they want.”
Other exciting items include artisan cheeses and honey, supplied locally by Gingrich Apiaries.
Clark says the store is mindful of its carbon footprint and encourages shoppers to consider the environment as well. Any food waste is composted into nutrient-rich soil for planting. Energy conscious customers can recharge their electric powered vehicles at two charging stations.
“Food has a much deeper connection than just satisfying hunger,” says Louie Castriota. “Eating right helps our bodies function better. We feel better and mentally we feel better. When we buy food produced by local artisans or grown by local farmers, it really supports the economic engine in our community. The money stays in the community to create jobs.”
Castriota said he hopes the store will promote healthier lifestyles and it will also be used as a learning lab for adults utilizing Able-Services. They will go to the store to shop for items and take them back to create recipes.
Leg Up Farm and Able-Services will also benefit from the profits generated from the store. Castriota hopes to expand the number of special needs children and adults served by the non-profits entities.
The store, located at 3100 North George Street in York, is the dream of Louis Castriota, who along with his wife Laurie, opened Leg Up Farm in 2010 and Able-Services in 2014.
To plan, open and operate the store, Castriota hired Brad Clark to serve as chief operating officer. Texas native Clark has many years experience in the natural and organic foods business. He worked for Whole Foods for 22 years and Earth Fare, based in North Carolina, for several years. After a move east, he met Castriota through his wife, who works for Leg Up Farm.
Clark drew the initial store design on a sheet of paper with a plan to fit as much as he could into the building size.
“The store offers all natural products,” Clark says. “Our goal is to have a huge local presence and it increases every day. There will be no private label. We want to show that we will support the local economy.”
Shoppers will find an excellent selection of locally grown, organic produce. They can also order fresh juice, smoothies and coffee at the Juice and Brew coffee bar, where Leg Up Farmers Market roasts its own beans and uses freshly squeezed juice.
Local bakery products, including gluten-free and vegan versions, are sourced from Sugar-Whipped in Lititz and Cooper Crust in York. They are all-natural with no artificial colors or additives.
Prepared food offerings include brick-oven pizza, with freshly made dough, sauce and all natural toppings; sushi sustainably sourced and made by the in-house chef; and paninis, sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups and hummus all made in-house.
Meat is showcased in a 12’ service case featuring grass and grain fed beef and pork, supplied by farmers located within 50 miles of the store. Current suppliers included beef from Forge Hill Farm in Mt. Wolf and grain-fed pork from the Dale Nolt Farm in Manheim.
“Our staff is extremely knowledgeable,” Clark says. “Our product traceability far exceeds anyone in the industry.”
Fresh fish and seafood are all sustainably sourced.
Leg Up Farmers Market offers a wide variety of bulk food items, including peanuts that can be ground into fresh peanut butter. Balsamic vinegar and maple syrup are among the 120 items available to buy in bulk.
“Buying bulk foods reduces the packaging needed,” Clark relays. “The customer can buy as little or as much as they want.”
Other exciting items include artisan cheeses and honey, supplied locally by Gingrich Apiaries.
Clark says the store is mindful of its carbon footprint and encourages shoppers to consider the environment as well. Any food waste is composted into nutrient-rich soil for planting. Energy conscious customers can recharge their electric powered vehicles at two charging stations.
“Food has a much deeper connection than just satisfying hunger,” says Louie Castriota. “Eating right helps our bodies function better. We feel better and mentally we feel better. When we buy food produced by local artisans or grown by local farmers, it really supports the economic engine in our community. The money stays in the community to create jobs.”
Castriota said he hopes the store will promote healthier lifestyles and it will also be used as a learning lab for adults utilizing Able-Services. They will go to the store to shop for items and take them back to create recipes.
Leg Up Farm and Able-Services will also benefit from the profits generated from the store. Castriota hopes to expand the number of special needs children and adults served by the non-profits entities.
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