Más Bakersfield

The meat of the matter

If it weren’t for his store’s “no shirt, no service” rule, Luis Morales, manager of Family Foodland Market, would give the shirt off his back to help his customers.

But Morales does whatever else he can to make sure his customers are treated right, even if it means having to use his own truck to get customers from the store to their front door with their Foodland purchases.

“We go the extra mile to take care of what customers need. We take customers to items in the store, we bag all of their groceries and take them to the car — we even provide rides home for customers if they need it,” said Morales.

Morales attributes the success of this 45-year-old east Bakersfield grocery store to this level customer service.

Of course, it also likely helps that Foodland employees are quick to share smiles with customers and although the store is small, only 6,000 square feet, it’s kept well-stocked and clean.

The meat department is also a big attraction for customers of Family Foodland Market, many of whom shop for Meyer and Harris Ranch beef products among the neater-than-neat meat display, making it a true visual pleasure to pick just the right cut.

“The meat department here is the best I’ve seen. And they also make the best sandwich in town,” said Bob “The Sandwich Man” Hodson, who earned his munchy moniker from Family Foodland Market employees because of his regular visits to the store for the last five years.

“My favorite is the poor boy sandwich. I live close by, so I’m here all the time,” said Dodson.

Where there’s smoke

It’s also easy to get hooked on the barbecued fare at Family Foodland Market available on Saturdays, when employee Jason Carmona is in the parking lot grilling tri-tip, chicken, ribs, sausage and steak.

Calling themselves “The Barbecue Specialists,” the market can also provide catering services for quinceñeras, weddings, school events, birthdays and, if you just want the meat and can cook it yourself, they also sell special meat packets that come with a variety of meats and in different price ranges.

Morales started in the grocery business at 15, working  at County Fair Market in Lamont. He excelled there under owners Mike and Roger Anderson, who also own Family Foodland Market, and eventually ran the meat department.

“They saw how I worked there (in Lamont), they saw how I took care of customers and how I ran the meat department, so the next logical step was for me to manage my own store,” said Morales.

But Morales is quick to point out how much he values the work of his employees. He says his store is usually a first job or a stepping stone for most employees, but he still strives to make sure they are learning skills that will help them later in life.

“It makes me happy to see employees later in life who move on and are successful. I’m happy to see them step up,” said Morales.

One employee, Phillip Teutimez, said although he’s only been working at Family Foodland Market for one year, it’s something he could see himself doing for a long time.

“I have had many jobs and this one is the best by far,” said Teutimez, who currently works in the meat department. “I like to work here, I know a lot of the customers by name.”

For something different

The store also provides a specialty product from Texas that ships fresh products to the store in mason jars with the Family Foodland Market label on the product.

Morales wants to keep the name of the Texas company a secret, but items such as jalepeño-stuffed green olives, tomatillo salsa, apple cobbler in a can and chile lime pineapple are favorites of customers, according to Morales.

The market also now carries a new line of specialty beers imported from England, Germany and other European countries.

“You know, when you get tired of the regular stuff,” said Morales.

Family Foodland Market also helps out their local community by being sponsors or donating food and money to charities and local school such as Foothill High School and Stiern Middle School.

And of course, the “Family” in the name of the store is more than just a gimmick — Morales’ 17–year–old daughter, Brittany often works with her dad to earn a few extra dollars.

“She’s at the age where she wants to earn money to buy things more than she wants to work,” said Morales jokingly.

While Morales admits that his store doesn’t earn huge amounts of money, he says that their business increases steadily every year. And with happy employees, a fine meat department, a clean store and satisfied customers, it’s easy to see why.

“I definitely suggest other people come and shop here,” said customer Rudy A. Barrera.

Family Foodland Market

 “The Barbecue Specialists”
 366-0364, meat department
 366-4824, store
 1217 Morning Drive
 Bakersfield, CA 93306
 e-mail:
familyfoodlandmarket@hotmail.com