By Caroline Roosevelt
Contributing Writer

Philter Coffee in Kennett Square has gone through many changes over its duration - weathering the pandemic years, adding retail space, and changing their menu while still maintaining their loyal customer base – and in the process has remained a southern Chester County hub for almost a decade and a half. 

Most recently, Philter has partnered with Nourish Markets to update their grab and go menu.

Nourish Markets, founded by Kevin and Sophia Macauley in 2021, focuses on providing organic, locally sourced, wholesome foods for the on-the-go customer. The Macauleys developed the idea for Nourish while living on the Highland Orchards farm in Wilmington, Del. Noticing the difference in taste from the produce on the farm, versus the grocery store, inspired them to develop an elevated ready-made menu.

Nourish Markets’ items can also be found at Brew HaHa! locations throughout Delaware, and the company also currently runs a retail space out of Baltimore’s BWI Airport and is expecting to supplement existing cafes within the Philadelphia International Airport this spring. 

“We just started partnerships with businesses outside the travel space through like wholesale arrangements where we would complement or supplement cafes, or natural grocery stores, fresh food offerings,” said Kevin. “(Philter owner) Chris Thompson was one of the first to give us a shot in it and it really has been working out.”

With just a few intersecting goals in mind, sustainability, accessibility, and, obviously, great flavors, Kevin and Sophia connected with local farmers to create a vendor list for fresh produce. They then collaborated with celebrity chef Robbie Jester to develop an exciting, flavorful menu. You may recognize Jester from the Neflix show “Pressure Cooker,” and Food Networks’ “Beat Bobby Flay,” “Guy’s Grocery Games” and “Chopped.” He currently owns Pizzeria Mariana and In Jest Private Chef and Events based out of Wilmington.

Recently, Nourish brought on Megan Bushnell as executive chef and kitchen manager, who brings over a decade of experience as a chef at Harvest Market in Hockessin to Nourish. 

“Megan started Harvest Market’s grab and go program, and we recently brought her on over the summer to really help us improve and work on our menu as if we continue to grow,” Kevin said.” 

Bushnell was instrumental in connecting Nourish with Philter, who had been looking to compliment and add on to the existing menu. 

So what are the grab and go favorites? According to Macauley, the most frequently reordered items include the Blueberry Overnight Oats, the Apple Pie Overnight Oats, and the Vegan Glow Wrap. Check out their additional salads, wraps, and sweet treats available at the counter.

As far as what’s in store for the Philter menu, Macauley mentions that they will start rotating in seasonal additions to the menu as well as meat options. Currently, the menu runs on a vegetarian slant but look out for farm fresh chicken pesto Caesar wraps, sesame ginger chicken buddha bowls later this year.

Philter is located at 111 West State Street, Kennett Square, Pa. To learn more, visit www.philtercoffee.com. To learn more about Nourish Markets, visit www.nourishmarkets.com.