Let me guess--you're on the keto diet? No? Maybe you're gluten-free or vegan. Or perhaps you want to know that the meat that you're eating is humanely raised using no antibiotics. No matter the diet, Green Acres Market at the Village at Briarcliff likely has that which you seek.
Green Acres was started 25 years ago by John and Barb Hoffman in Wichita. After giving birth to a daughter with special needs, Barb dove into being a caretaker. As so often happens, Barb's health started to decline under the strain of caring for her daughter. To take care of herself, she consulted Dr. Reardon, an early adopter of functional medicine. His care started her on the path to holistic health.
The Hoffmans had started in the greenhouse plant business, but after discovering the world of organic food and health supplements, they wanted to share it. Thus, the first Green Acres was born in Wichita.
Starting small, they focused on finding products that bucked the trends of big agriculture--organic foods and trusted supplement lines. For many years, they were happy with one store in Wichita. Twelve years ago, their second-born daughter, Shannon, decided that Kansas City needed a Green Acres as well. Their second store started a modest expansion that now includes four stores in Wichita, two in Oklahoma, and one in Kansas City North.
The Briarcliff location is more than a grocery store. Of course, they feature great produce, both organic and conventional, with conventional produce available when it is safe to do so. You won't find the 'dirty dozen' of fruits and vegetables that are most likely to retain pesticides in their skins, but more resistant plants, such as thick-skinned things like pineapple may be available.
Outside of the produce section, Green Acres features myriad products aimed at specialized diets, whether that's quinoa pasta for those avoiding gluten or coconut water to rehydrate without overloading on sugar. They also pride themselves on their supplements, which made such a difference in Barb Hoffman's life so many years ago. Green Acres also features natural beauty products.
Beyond the aisles, Green Acres is a favorite stop for lunch, dinner, or take away food, as their prepared foods department rivals many restaurants. With freshly baked pastries, sumptuous salads, four fresh soups daily, and specials, they offer lots of options for those looking for something quick, easy, and tasty. They are also a pickup site for Evolve Paleo Chef, whether you've ordered ahead or need a quick meal on the go.
The Briarcliff Village location prides itself on its wine and beer selection. They focus on natural wines, biodynamic wines, and small estate wines. A store favorite is Fitvine, a line started by runners that offers nutritional information about each glass, allowing imbibers to know how many calories and sugars they are ingesting.
In addition to being a grocery store, Green Acres also acts as a bridge to other holistic services. They often offer events with Northland Physical Medicine when possible. Chiropractor Kendra Pearson, D.C. enjoys guiding people in a healthy lifestyle and has lead seminars on the Keto lifestyle through the store. Dr. Jane Russell, an integrative functional-medicine expert, will be giving a talk about the benefits of functional medicine in November.
The market has always been the center of life in most communities, and Green Acres Market aims to be that center for health-minded people.
