Thrifty Specialty Produce and Meats has been chosen as the 2023 first quarter winner of the Mayor’s Business Spotlight Program.
If you live in Brevard County, you’ve probably heard of or often frequent this quarter’s Mayor’s Business Spotlight winner.
Thrifty Specialty Produce and Meats is a family-owned and operated business that was established in 2011 as a small single-unit endcap produce market in a plaza located at 2135 Palm Bay Road NE. Since then, they have expanded to occupy the entire plaza and have quickly flourished into perhaps the most popular full-service specialty grocer in Brevard County (and beyond) with three additional locations in Melbourne, Rockledge, and St. Cloud, with plans to open more locations in the future.
Upon entering their expansive 15,000 square-foot Palm Bay facility, you are greeted by a “visual feast” of color and variety made up of some of the freshest produce in town. Aside from its produce, Thrifty offers its customers a wide assortment of high-quality foods such as meats, seafood, international foods and products, a hot food bar, an onsite bakery, and much more! They also offer catering, takeout, and delivery options to ensure convenience to their patrons. “It’s been an exciting journey for us to grow our business alongside a community that continues to grow stronger every day. Palm Bay for us feels like home and will always have a special place in our hearts.” says owner Pedro Hernandez.
Thrifty Specialty Produce is innovative in the type of products they offer, including items you wouldn’t find in a typical grocery store. They provide these specialty products at a fraction of the cost of competitors, keeping them exclusive in the industry. They source goods from all over the world using various vendors and feature local produce in season. Each section of produce is labeled with the place of origin to ensure customers know exactly where their food comes from.
They have been a strong community partner by giving back through various donations and sponsorships to charitable events and partnering with Brevard Public Schools to provide nutritional information sessions, food, water, and more to students and faculty. They are also an active member of the Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce.
Thrifty Specialty Produce and Meats was presented with a Proclamation at the December 15th, 2022, Regular City Council Meeting as the Mayor’s Business Spotlight Program recipient for the first quarter of 2023. “They not only have specialty meats and produce, but they have some excellent chow when it comes to Latin flavor food. If you haven’t had the sweet bread they bake on premises, I’ve got to tell you, you don’t know what you’re missing; the delicacies there are impeccable!” says Mayor Rob Medina.
