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Fresh and tasty, free of chemicals, additives, and genetic modification — food the way it used to be eaten! This is what Lynn and Robert Semanchik, owners (with their daughter Ashley) of The Fresh Fig in Pennington, are offering customers at their new natural food market.
"With all the pollutants in the air as well as food additives, it is important to eliminate as much as possible. We have no preservatives, steroids, or food coloring in our food. These can all be harmful to your health," says Lynn Semanchik. "This is the healthiest way to eat and a simple way to eat. It's the way our grandparents ate."
More and more people are discovering the benefits of eating organic and natural food, she adds. "Many people have food allergies today, and they are looking for healthier alternatives. There is a lot of openness now to trying different ways of eating. I also hear such inspiring stories of how it helps people with illnesses, including my own mother."
This is a subject which has always interested Ms. Semanchik. From the time she was a girl, she wanted to know "What is in the food we eat? I always remember a teacher telling me, 'You are what you eat.' My grandparents grew their own garden, and then later, I made all my own baby food for my kids."
Favorite Fruit
With her background in home economics, Ms. Semanchik was attracted to the idea of offering people healthy natural food and products. When the location at Corner Stone Court at 1 Tree Farm Road in Pennington became available, she did not hesitate, and The Fresh Fig opened its doors last November.
"The time was right to do this," she explains. "My mother had always said to me, 'You should open a health food store.' The fig was her favorite fruit, thus the name, and the store is a tribute to her."
Customers are coming from all over the area and beyond, including Pennington, Princeton, and Hopewell, as well as from northern New Jersey, she reports, and they are all ages.
"I am thrilled to have this new health food store close by," says Hopewell resident Susan Neri. "There is nothing like it here. I have food allergies, and I have been coming since it opened."
Free-Range
Customers have been pleased to find a varied selection of organic seasonal produce, meat from grass-fed cattle, free range chickens and eggs, also organic sliced turkey and cheeses, organic milk and milk from free-range cows.
There is also a big selection of bulk items, including nuts, dried fruits, and herbs. Personal care products, such as soaps, lotions, moisturizers, and cosmetics, are popular, as is the selection of vitamins and homeopathic remedies.
A variety of teas, coffee, soft drinks, baby food, honey, organic nutrition bars, cookies, crackers, and pet food is available, and there is a frozen food section, including soy and rice ice cream and assorted ethnic meals.
One of the most popular features of The Fresh Fig is its organic juice bar, which also offers protein drinks, and take-out, such as soups, salads, and sandwiches, all made daily.
Fresh-Squeezed
Delicious fresh-squeezed organic fruit drinks are prepared by Mr. Semanchik, with apple and pear, wheat grass and carrot juice favorites, along with the "Fresh Fig Rejuvenator" (carrot, spinach, celery, ginger, and lemon juice), and the similar "Fig High Energy" drink.
"The benefits of fresh fruit juice is that its enzymes aid in digestion and absorption," explains Mr. Semanchik. "Pasteurized juices kill the enzymes."
"I think the juice bar really sets us apart," adds Ms. Semanchik. "Although we have been open only a short time, customers are finding us, and we already have lots of repeats and great word-of-mouth. They discover that we have a lot of choices, and we are competitively-priced.
"I very much enjoy the give-and-take and sharing information with people," she continues. "If they are looking for something specific, I want them to let us know, and if we don't have it, we'll try to get it. We also offer up-to-date information on current issues and what is happening in the organic field."
The Semanchiks look forward to expanding their products and offering customers even more healthy eating choices. "We are here to stay!" they report.
The Fresh Fig is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10 to 6; Thursday 9 to 7; Saturday 10 to 5; Sunday 11 to 4. (609) 737-3447.
