CHESTER, NJ - A partnership between ShopRite of Chester and the Somerset Hills Learning Institute has led to an exclusive offering debuting on the retailer’s shelves. Paradise Salad is the first product sustainably grown, harvested, and packed by young adult students with autism who are learning job skills at Three Meadows Farm.

“We love nothing more than working with local farms to bring the freshest produce possible to the community of Chester,” said Perry Blatt, Director of E-Commerce and Business Development for Village Super Market, the family-owned business that owns and operates the ShopRite of Chester. “And our relationship with Three Meadows Farm is more than just another business partnership—it is about elevating the work of an incredible organization that is providing life-changing opportunities to young adults with autism. Every Paradise Salad sold at the ShopRite of Chester supports that mission, and we could not be prouder to feature this product on our shelves. We congratulate every student for their hard work and look forward to growing with Three Meadows Farm as they bring new product to market.”

The Somerset Hills Learning Institute is a private non-profit program that offers a broad spectrum of services and education to children, adolescents, and young adults with autism, a press release explained. At the organization’s Three Meadows Farm, students are given the opportunity to experience a multitude of job readiness skills including farming, gardening, greenhouse cultivation, and more.

Paradise Salad—grown at the farm’s hydroponic greenhouse in Bedminster—features a blend of lettuce, sorrel, radish microgreens, and nasturtium, offering a unique and peppery flavor profile, accented by a delightful combination of spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet notes.

ShopRite of Chester is the first retail location to carry the product. The store’s produce buyer worked with Three Meadows Farm to help bring the local product to market, with the goal of helping the farm further expand its offerings.

Will we see similar offerings hitting the shelves of other ShopRite stores? ANUK will surely report.