Foodshed.io and Fresh Thyme Market Bring True Farmers-Market Sourcing Into Major Retail

Tech-enabled platform expands local farm access, connecting independent growers directly to Fresh Thyme shoppers

LIVINGTON, Montana — Foodshed.io, a leading technology-enabled platform that connects local farms with major retailers, announced the success of its collaborative “Farmers Market” in-store concept with Fresh Thyme Market, the Midwest-based better-for-you grocer committed to fostering healthier communities. The pilot marks a major step forward in bringing authentic, local agriculture into mainstream grocery aisles.

Working closely with Fresh Thyme, Foodshed.io integrated eight independent farms, ranging from small family operations to mid-sized growers, into six stores across the Chicago and Indianapolis regions. Farmers delivered their products directly to participating stores, enabling Fresh Thyme shoppers to access more than 27 distinct seasonal varieties typically found only at community farmers markets. More than 95 farm-to-store deliveries took place during the inaugural run.

“Foodshed.io was founded on a simple conviction: local farmers deserve stronger market access, and consumers deserve better food,” said Dan Beckmann, CEO of Foodshed.io. “For too long, the traditional supply chain has made ‘local’ the exception rather than the rule. This program flips that model on its head. We’re bringing farmers straight into major retail, and we’re doing it with urgency, purpose and respect for the people who grow our food.”

Fresh Thyme Market echoed the program’s impact. “It has long been our goal to provide guests with the freshness, variety, and quality of a true farmers market,” said Anja Kauffman, Director of Produce and Floral at Fresh Thyme Market. “Partnering with Foodshed.io allows us to strengthen relationships with local growers and bring their products directly to the communities we serve.”

As demand for local sourcing continues to rise, Foodshed.io and Fresh Thyme plan to expand the “Farmers Market” concept into additional markets throughout Fresh Thyme’s footprint next season.

About Foodshed.io

Foodshed.io is a logistics and marketing platform that enables major retailers to source produce from local, independent farms while ensuring quality and safety. Its innovative app partners with leading retailers and institutions nationwide to deliver fresh, locally grown products. Based in Livingston, Mont., with significant operations in St. Louis, Mo., Foodshed.io is majority female-owned and operated.

About Fresh Thyme Market

Fresh Thyme Market is a better-for-you, Midwest-based grocer with a mission to foster healthier communities by offering real, fresh food, vitamins and body care products. The grocery retailer was born from a genuine desire to help people live better and healthier lives and does so by focusing on three core pillars: quality, experience, and community. Every day, Fresh Thyme Market works to be a trusted resource in our communities, bringing people access to real food at affordable prices. By offering an immersive, intuitive shopping experience and a local focus on what the community needs, each store provides fresh, natural, and organic food, as well as vitamin and body care products. To learn more, visit freshthyme.com.