Mollie Stone's sources produce from around the globe. Seasonal, locally grown, exotic, tropical and specialty products grow with the varying seasons in many locations. Because we are a locally grown, independently owned company, we are also privy to small farms with small harvests of products you won't see elsewhere. The key is to buy the best from the right location at the right time!

When is the right time?

We pride ourselves on buying at the right time, not just because it is available. We have a just-in-time system that allows stores to order what they need on a true basis of need, not just because the warehouse sends it to them. Years of experience, knowledge of global conditions, and long-trusted relationships with small and large growers all provide insight to when and where the peak flavors and most nutritious commodities can be found.

How does Mollie Stone's decide what fruit to bring into its produce departments?

Mollie Stone's buyer has an office and distribution center at the San Francisco produce terminal, and walks the market five days a week starting at midnight to see firsthand what is and what isn't fresh. The buyer samples many fruits and vegetables daily, monitoring the quality, texture and taste. We test fruit for sugar content with a refractometer to ensure sugars are present and plentiful. Pressures and temperatures are tested as well to ensure freshness and quality.

What about organic produce?

"Organic Produce" is fruits and vegetables grown by farmers who focus on renewable methods as well as the conservation of water and soil, so that our future generation may enjoy what we have today and will carry on a cyclical means of living.

Mollie Stone's has carried a full line of organic produce long before it was popular with the mainstream markets, and remains committed to organics today. We actually started as a natural food store and evolved into a full-service market with organic and natural foods as the nucleus, and added essential conventional items for complete convenience (hence, the "Best of Both Worlds").

We offer a full line of both organic as well as conventionally grown products daily; however, when local is best (in season and within 200 miles) and organic is a value, we decide to carry only organic on some items. Organics aren't always available, so with our experience and constant monitoring of flavors and overall quality we decide what our mix of organic and conventionally grown products will be daily/weekly.

We go further with our commitment to renewable resources, recycling all materials we can to minimize our contribution to the trash stream. Read more about how we reduce our carbon footprint here.