“Taste: Plant Based” opened the end of last year on the Black Horse Pike in Washington Township. in the section that I most believe to be Grenloch.
But being close to the Gloucester Premium Outlets, the area is also known by many as Blackwood or Turnersville.
The new vegan store is not a sit-in restaurant. They offer prepackaged meals and soups to heat-up at home, as well as salads and a limited selection of grocery and snack items.
They are also offering healthy smoothies!
Taste: Plant Based is operated by Joe Meloni who is the son of the family that operates Meloni’s Butcher Block Deli in town… and is why the two businesses are located directly next to each other!
It’s a smart and interesting take on a shared concept; Both Meloni family stores offer fresh prepared foods as well as pre-packaged grocery products… except that Taste is Vegan based, and Meloni’s is primarily meat based!
The address for Taste: Plant Based is 771B Route 168, Blackwood NJ
Taste: Plant Based is open Tues-Saturday 10am-5pm. Closed Sun/Mon
Scroll down for more on Taste, and photos!
A 42Freeway reader offered their praises for Taste: Plant Based, which we’ve added here…
It’s my new go to! There’s nothing around here like it. Everything I try I love. I shop there every week. I get my salads for lunches and the dinners are all so tasty, too. They are made with real ingredients that satisfy you from meal to meal. My favorite are the Mixed Grain and the Farro salads. Have to add the Chic pea salad after just trying that. The white bean ravioli is delicious! And I have to mention the Chic pea noodle soup. Yum!
Pat F – Washington Township NJ
Taste: Plant Based… a Degree in Healthy Eating
We visited Taste a few weeks back and purchased several of their delicious prepared foods, including their signature Eggplant Meatballs. Amazingly delicious!
We chatted with Joe and his girlfriend Kristin who share duties running the store.
Joe gave a great explanation for the story behind the new specialty food store, and he also has done an excellent job explaining the background in his website’s “About Us” page.
The idea for Taste came after years of working for my father at Meloni’s Butcher Block, introducing several plant-based dishes, and seeing them boom into something customers actively sought out, even in a butcher shop.
I went vegan in 2016 while pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition at Drexel University. Since finishing the degree in 2017, I completed a dietetic internship and tested to become a registered dietitian, earning that credential in 2019
Joe Meloni: Owner of Taste: Plant Based
Joe has spent his entire life in the prepared food business, went to college to further learn more about healthy eating… and now has a business which helps the community make healthier choices!
Taste the Experience!
As mentioned, Taste is not a sit-down restaurant. Their core offerings are Vegan prepackaged meals, soups, and salads… as well as some grocery and snack items.
Be sure to like their Facebook page, as they do a great job of informing customers about new products.
Recently featured on the Taste Facebook are a variety of Artisinal Hand-Rolled Gnocchi Pasta.
White Bean Penne Pesto salad looks like it would be an amazing addition to any backyard barbecue, not to mention the Orzo salad and Potato Salad.
Vegan Raviolis seem to be a big customer favorite. One popular style features White Bean & Basil.
Or how about a Vegan chili made with quinoa, black beans and white beans!? It looks delicious!
And the meatballs.. I think everyone who visits Taste: Plant Based needs to pick up at least one package and try them at home.
Gluten-Free items are offered… about half of their store made products at any time are also gluten free.
Oh and don’t forget they offer healthy smoothies, made from only the freshest ingredients!
Links and Location
Taste: Plant Based
771 B Route 168
Blackwood, NJ 08012
Hours
- Tues-Saturday: 10am – 5pm
- Sunday/Monday: Closed