Frequently Asked Questions

Yes we do. However, we cannot accept coupons with other stores listed on it. 

No, Kimberton Whole Foods does not carry produce coated in Apeel or Organipeel. Learn more about this food coating, here.

Yes, we have an excellent selection of rich, local raw milk and raw milk cheeses.  In addition, we also carry raw goat milk and cheeses.  We do not carry raw butter, as it is not permitted in Pennsylvania.

Nearly everything you see on our shelves can be ordered by the case, making it a great way to get discounts on your favorite go-to items. Read the details of our Special Order Program here. For more great ways to save, read our blog, “7 Ways to Save at Kimberton Whole Foods“.

Yes, gift cards are available in any denomination and may be purchased in-store or online. Physical gift cards can be purchased in-store only. We are unable to process gift card sales over the phone or mail gift cards. E-Gift cards are available via our online shopping platform and can be emailed to you or a designated recipient. Learn how to purchase a Kimberton Whole Foods E-Gift Card online here.

We define “local” as anywhere within 100 miles from our distribution center in Downingtown. This includes Lancaster, Philadelphia and Harrisburg, the northern reaches of Maryland and Delaware, and most of New Jersey. Read more here: “Committed to Local“

There is no legal definition of the term “raw”, however generally this term is used to mean that a product has not been pasteurized or heated over 112℉. This term can apply to milk or dairy products, nuts, seeds, and prepared foods.

We are an independent, family-owned grocer. Learn about our beginnings here. We are proud members of the Independent Natural Food Retailers Association (INFRA).

The USDA states that the goal of organic farming is to “integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.” Certified organic foods are free of most synthetic additives like pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and dyes, and must not be processed using industrial solvents, irradiation, or genetic engineering.

Production costs for organic foods are typically higher because of greater labor inputs per unit of output – in short, it takes greater time and money to produce an organic product. Simply acquiring the USDA Organic certification is an expense too great for some small family farms.

Read our blog, “Why Buy Organic?”

We accept cash, VISA, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, EBT, and CHIP cards.

We also accept Apple Pay and Google Pay.

We are not authorized to accept WIC vouchers.

For all issues regarding product quality or freshness, please call your local store and ask to speak to a manager so we can help you as quickly as possible.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a process farmers can use to solve pest problems while minimizing risks to people and the environment. IPM focuses on long-term prevention of pests and their damage by managing the farm’s ecosystem through biological, cultural, mechanical and (as a last resort) chemical controls. Many times IPM produce is grown without the use of chemical pesticides, but when a farmer determines that chemical intervention is required, he or she will use care in applying the most selective pesticide that will do the job while being safest to other organisms, air, soil and water quality. IPM is a solution used by some small local farms who do not farm organically.

Read our blog, “What is IPM?“

“Cage-Free” means that chickens are not kept in battery cages, however the living conditions are extremely poor as they are packed into multi-level aviaries. The chickens will likely never step foot outdoors.

“Free-Range” is a term regulated by the USDA, and it means that hens must be given continuous access to the outdoors (about 2 square feet per hen) during their production cycle. Although they have more space than “caged” and “cage-free” hens, this does not guarantee that a hen ever actually stepped foot outside, it just means there was a way for them to do so. This term also makes no guarantees about the diet of the hens, so they very likely are eating a corn and/or soy-based feed.

“Organic” eggs come from uncaged hens that have access to the outdoors. Again, having access does not necessarily mean that the birds are actually roaming outdoors and consuming a diet of grass and bugs. (They may simply have access to an enclosed porch or a small patch of grass.) However, this designation guarantees that the birds were fed organic feed.

“Pasture-Raised” birds spend most of their life outdoors, with a fair amount of space (some regulations mandate up to 108 square feet per bird) plus access to a barn. Many are able to eat a diet of worms, insects and grass, along with feed (which may or may not be organic). Unfortunately, Pasture-Raised is not a term regulated by the USDA, so the best way to trust this label is to investigate the source – which is easier to do when you buy from local farmers.

Read about our local egg suppliers that we trust here.

If you are not 100% satisfied with a product purchased at Kimberton Whole Foods, simply return the unused portion with your itemized receipt within 30 days for a full refund or exchange. Please understand we do not accept returns on books, magazines, special orders, discontinued supplements or un-tagged clothing. All clothing returns must be made within 30 days of purchase with original tags attached and a receipt.

We take our role seriously when it comes to what your family eats. We believe that genetically modified (GM) foods have not been proven safe for our consumption. We will not purchase any new products containing high-risk GMO crops unless those products are certified organic, verified by the Non-GMO Project or labeled as having Non-GMO ingredients by brands we trust. Furthermore, to the best of our ability, KWF will not promote products that contain high-risk GMO crops that have not been certified organic, verified by the Non-GMO Project or labeled as having Non-GMO ingredients by trusted brands. While we don’t claim that our stores are GMO-free, we have made a significant commitment to move in that direction and believe in maximum transparency as a display of our responsibility.

High-risk GMO crops include alfalfa, canola, corn, cotton, Hawaiian papaya, soy, sugar beets, zucchini and yellow summer squash, squash. Grocery items that are not certified organic and/or verified by the Non-GMO Project that include any of these ingredients are by extension high-risk GM foods.

We urge any producer making a non-GMO claim to verify that claim with the Non-GMO Project and to label their products with the Non-GMO butterfly.

Learn more: Understanding GMOs, Avoiding GMOs Aisle by Aisle, Most Common GMOs

We try to source local produce as much as is possible. When something is not available locally, we pick the highest-quality organic vendors to source from. Farming is not an exact science and many variables can affect availability, especially when it comes to organic produce. To learn more about our produce sourcing, read “Behind the Scenes: Our Produce” and “Committed to Local“.

Kimberton Whole Foods serves as a community market with a passionate commitment to integrity and sustainability. Our business focuses on local, organic, biodynamic, non-GMO, fair trade, humane, cruelty-free, and third-party-certified foods. If your organization shares a similar mission, we would love to work with you and support your event. Visit this page to make a request.