Think Global, Eat Local at Media’s New Berry Fresh Cafe

Berry Fresh 2Look no further than the end of the trolley line at W. State Street for Media’s latest culinary offering, Berry Fresh Cafe. Serving “food with a purpose,” the cafe opened in August with the goal of exposing Media residents to the health, environmental and economic benefits of the açaí berry.

The casual eatery, accented with bright colors and walls constructed from reclaimed Kennett Square mushroom wood, is owned by Erik Krogstad, a lifelong Delco resident who calls Springfield home. When asked why he chose Media as the location for Berry Fresh, Erik cited Media’s diverse dining culture, one where people are interested in health-conscious initiatives, locally owned businesses and social responsibility.

Conceptualized in 2006 while Erik and his wife Heidi were in Brazil visiting her family for Carnivale, Berry Fresh Cafe showcases açaí and its many benefits. An antioxidant powerhouse, açaí is a superfood that has been associated with lower cholesterol, higher energy, improved cellular health and more. But the benefits go beyond the body. Growing and selling açaí not only boosts the Brazilian economy but also reduces deforestation of the rainforest, as natives of the Amazonian region where açaí is grown cultivate the fruit rather than cutting down the trees.

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At the heart of the cafe’s menu are its açaí bowls. Each 16-ounce bowl starts with frozen, pureed açaí, which is then topped with fruit, granola and your choice of toppings (including, among many others, bee pollen, coconut flakes, flax seeds and cacao nibs). The menu features nine different bowls, ranging from Berrylicious and Vegan Bliss to Protein Power and Coco-licious. Jump-start your day with Erik’s recommendation, A Bowl of Energy, and you won’t need a cup of coffee to get going. Feel a cold coming on? Dig into the Antioxi-Strong Bowl, loaded with açaí, blueberries, banana, strawberries, your choice of milk (almond, coconut or soy), ground flax seed, organic granola and raw, unfiltered local Dutch Gold honey. The day I visited, I was treated to the Berry Trio Bowl and found the cold, fruity mix, accented by crunchy granola and a sweet honey drizzle, to be incredibly satisfying and energizing.

Berry Fresh Sandwich

Also on the Berry Fresh Cafe menu is an array of smoothies, paninis and sandwiches. It’s worth noting that all of the smoothies (and the açaí bowls, too) are dairy- and yogurt-free, made from all fresh fruits and organic juice, with no sugar added. The entire menu is naturally grown and GMO-free, with ingredients sourced from UNFI, the leading independent national distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods. A member of Media’s Fair Trade Committee regularly visits Berry Fresh to make sure that, as much as possible, ingredients are fair trade as well. Paninis and sandwiches are veggie-focused and served on quinoa bread, making the cafe a perfect lunch stop for vegans and those with gluten sensitivities. Erik’s favorite is (what else?) the Erik’s Choice sandwich, with organic hummus, baby spinach, tomatoes, avocado and shredded carrots.

Looking ahead, the cafe will start rolling out new menu items later this fall, like carrot/pumpkin spice, kale/lentil and roasted tomato soup, and will begin serving oatmeal with açaí, avocado and egg sandwiches and avocado pita pizzas during brunch hours. You will also be able to catch Berry Fresh at the Oct. 5 Media Food and Craft Festival.

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Berry Fresh Cafe recently extended its hours and is open from 8 a.m.–8:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Be sure to follow along on Facebook and Twitter to see what’s next!

Berry Fresh Cafe is located at 300 W. State St. in Media; phone: (610) 892-3779.

Sandwich photo credit: Berry Fresh Cafe; all other photos credited to Michele Kornegay.

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