The Downtown Farm Stand sources local and organic foods to serve in their downtown Muncie grocery store and deli.
On Main Street, there is a little shop that you may have heard about. The Downtown Farm Stand, owned and operated by Dave and Sara Ring, is a wonderful local place to grab organic groceries and build your own sandwich for lunch. They can deliver your groceries to you, or you can go pick them up from the store yourself, old fashioned — like the vibes you get when you go into the store.
About 12 years ago, Dave and Sara were organic farmers in Muncie and wanted to have an easier way to sell their produce. They went to farmers markets but struggled to sell their produce — and so did many other farmers in the area. So, they decided to start a grocery store for just local organic food. This makes it easier for the farmers. They just drop off their produce, and the store sells it for competitive prices in downtown Muncie, where fresh food like that may not always be available.
Everything that comes out of the Downtown Farm Stand is locally sourced and organic. They sell produce from local organic farmers that big box stores wouldn’t buy from.
The farmers that sell to them are their friends, which helps to build the community aspect of the store and keeps customers coming back. Dave says that there is no doubt that the community feeling in their store is what keeps customers loyal. The employees know most of the customers by name, greeting them when they walk in and helping them to find whatever it is that they need in the store.
The environment sets them apart from the other businesses in the area. Dave and Sara raised their children in the store and run the store themselves.. They also are involved in the community, supporting different events in the area.
But it’s not just a grocery store, it’s a restaurant too. Dave said that the synergy of the two parts would only enrich the community, making it beneficial to those in the area.
Dave wants everyone to know that they really appreciate the support of the community and the support of the customers that have been shopping with them for 12 years (or even longer because of the farmers markets). They always lose a little business when another big box store is brought in, but they want to thank the people who continue to shop with them even though other stores may be closer or faster. Dave thanks everyone for a great 12 years, and hopes to be here for at least another 12.
If you would like to check out this business, you can go to their website here, or visit them at 125 E. Main St., right here in Muncie, Indiana.
