By Michelle Williams

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market is set to open its fourth and fifth stores in the greater Indianapolis area on Aug. 6. In Fishers, one location will open at 11481 East 116th St., and another at 3400 East 146th St. on the border of Carmel and Westfield.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will precede the 7 a.m. opening at both locations, during which Fresh Thyme will present charitable donations totaling $10,000 to local organizations. The first 250 shoppers will be presented with a reusable shopping bag containing products valued at $50.

“Having the privilege to join two more Indy communities is very exciting, and we look forward to providing our new neighbors high quality, healthy offerings at a great value,” stated Fresh Thyme CEO Chris Sherrell in a July 9 press release.

In a 2014 press release, the company stated its intent to open 60 new stores throughout the Midwest by 2019 – accompanied by over 5,000 new jobs. The two new north side stores contributed 180 positions to the total.

The company strategically focuses on offering local, value-priced healthy, natural and organic foods. “We’ve taken the experience of an outdoor farmers market and combined it with the convenience of a full-service grocery store. Shoppers will enjoy value-priced natural and organic items throughout our store, making healthy food more attainable to the masses,” stated Sherrell.

The stores will feature a bulk shopping section boasting 300 choices including dry goods, coffees and liquids like olive oil and honey as well as in-house bakeries, gluten-free aisles containing more than 1,600 selections, a produce department with locally-grown goods and a Vitamins & Body Care department with more than 8,000 products.