Evolution of Fresh to Go

From Boiled Eggs to Bold New Flavors: The Story of Fresh to Go at Dari Mart

When Fresh to Go first opened its doors in 2013, it was a simple idea with big heart — provide fresh, wholesome food that customers could grab on the go, made right here in our own kitchen in Junction City, Oregon. What started with a small, dedicated crew turning out deviled eggs and simple sandwiches has grown into a full-blown kitchen operation supplying all 44 Dari Mart stores across the Willamette Valley and beyond, including select outside partners like the Eugene Airport, the University of Oregon and Oregon State campus bookstores, and Autzen Stadium concessions.

Today, Fresh to Go represents the same values that define Dari Mart: fresh food made locally, community-minded service, and quality you can taste. And every step of the journey — from humble beginnings to exciting new products — has been fueled by teamwork, creativity, and a commitment to honest food made every single day.

A Kitchen with Heart: How It All Began

Fresh to Go started in 2013 as a response to customer desire for healthier, freshly prepared foods that went beyond the typical convenience store fare. At the time, canned and pre-packaged items dominated the market — but Kathy Gibson, driving the idea, saw an opportunity to do something different. She envisioned a kitchen that created real food, made fresh every morning, using quality ingredients and prepared by people who cared.

In those early days, the entire operation was run by a small team of passionate family members: Kathy herself, her daughter Monique Gibson, Kathy’s step-mom Debra Daelan, and Debra’s sister Lynnette. Together, these four worked side by side in the kitchen — boiling and peeling thousands of eggs to make deviled eggs, building simple sandwiches, assembling pizza slices, and learning everything they could about making food with care. Their focus was always the same: fresh, tasty, and made to order — every day, for every customer.

Growing with the Community

As word spread and orders grew, it quickly became clear Fresh to Go was filling a need. Dari Mart stores began placing larger and more frequent orders for wraps, salads, breakfast sandwiches, and more. What was once a small team doubled, then tripled in size — and today, the kitchen has a full-time crew of 15 talented staff who work daily to prepare hundreds of pounds of food each week. These team members are the backbone of Fresh to Go, arriving early each morning to cook, assemble, package, and prepare fresh meals that will make their way to customers across the region.

The system works like a well-oiled machine:

Each store submits its Fresh to Go order form based on anticipated demand.
The Junction City kitchen staff prepare, cook, and package orders according to each store’s needs.
Once complete, our distribution drivers deliver Fresh to Go food twice a week on their regular routes, ensuring products arrive fresh and ready for your next visit.

This efficient distribution system — part of the vertically integrated model that Dari Mart is known for — allows Fresh to Go meals to travel just a short distance from the kitchen to your local store, preserving quality and freshness each step of the way.

New Favorites & Bold Flavors

Chicken Salad Croissant Sandwich

In 2024 and 2025, Fresh to Go really spread its wings with new and exciting menu items that have become quick customer favorites. Among them:

Brisket Hoagie Sandwich — tender, smoky brisket piled high on a fresh roll.
Breakfast Brisket Croissant with Cheese and Egg — a bold, protein-packed start to your day.
Pulled Pork Sliders — savory pulled pork in perfectly portioned slider buns.
Cuban Sandwich — a Fresh to Go twist on a beloved classic, packed with flavor.

But the success of Fresh to Go isn’t only about new launches — it’s also about the staples that customers return to again and again. Deviled eggs remain a classic favorite, perfect for snacking or party trays. Our Breakfast Get Up and Go Croissant Sandwiches fuel busy mornings, and the Southwest Chicken Wraps deliver bold flavor with fresh ingredients.

Beyond the Stores: Fresh to Go in the Community

One of the most exciting chapters in the evolution of Fresh to Go is how far the kitchen’s reach has expanded. No longer confined to store shelves, Fresh to Go products now show up in places you might not expect from a convenience store brand — from the Eugene Airport, where travelers can grab a fresh sandwich between flights, to cafés on the University of Oregon and Oregon State campuses, and even the bustling concessions at Autzen Stadium on game days. These partnerships demonstrate not only the versatility of Fresh to Go products but also the trust that local institutions place in the quality and freshness of what we make.

A Future Rooted in Freshness

From four family members in a kitchen to a 15-person production team supporting dozens of stores and outside partners, the evolution of Fresh to Go is a story of growth driven by passion and community need. Through it all, one thing hasn’t changed: the commitment to fresh, locally prepared food made every single day.

Whether you’re grabbing a wrap on your way to work, picking up a brisket sandwich for lunch, or ordering deviled eggs for your next gathering, Fresh to Go is there with food that tastes like it was made just for you — because it was.

Stop by your local Dari Mart and taste the difference fresh, local, and made with care makes every day.

Fresh to Go for Every Gathering: Catering Made Easy

As Fresh to Go has grown, so has its role in helping our community celebrate, meet, and gather. In addition to stocking store shelves and outside partner locations, the Fresh to Go kitchen also offers catering for meetings, parties, school events, and game days. From trays of our customer-favorite deviled eggs and wrap platters to sandwich assortments and breakfast options, our catering menu makes it easy to serve fresh, locally made food without the stress of cooking for a crowd.

Because everything is prepared in our own kitchen and delivered through our regular distribution routes, customers can trust that their catering orders are made with the same care, quality, and freshness as the items they pick up in-store. Whether it’s a small office meeting or a large community gathering, Fresh to Go helps keep it simple — and delicious.