The first store Graze Craze in Fresno County recently opened, dedicated to showcasing one of the more popular trends when it comes to eating.
If you like deli meats, crackers and cheese — or even fruits and veggies — you might want to try Graze Craze.
It’s a nationally franchised store that features a variety of finger foods on a charcuterie board, bringing tasting treats, portion control and the act of grazing — not heavy eating — all together in a fun and artsy way.
We’re not just talking about big boards for large parties, but charcuterie boards that come in all sizes to accommodate those who just want to snack by themselves or share with friends and family.
“It’s an exploding brand,” said Clovis store co-owner Rachapol Lamee. “And grazing is a healthy alternative to heavy eating. It’s the type of eating that’s good to do pretty much any time of the day. Eat a little bit of this now, snack on something else later.
“What’s also nice is everything we do here is hand-sliced in house. All of our dips are made fresh, not canned or processed. We’re essentially artisan-crafted premium meats and cheeses.”
Graze Craze has opened in Clovis, offering customizable charcuterie boards that can be made of fresh dips, fruits, vegetables, deli meats and cheeses. There are also full vegetarian options. BRYANT-JON ANTEOLA banteola@fresnobee.com
While some studies have shown that uncontrolled grazing in general could lead to daily caloric intake, intentionally eating small, frequent meals comprised of healthy foods like vegetables and fruits can help satisfy and tame hunger.
Costs of charcuterie boards at Graze Craze vary on how many people are expected to snack off the tray, with the average going rate about $9 per person.
There are boards like “Gone Grazey” that are designed to offer a balance of cured meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits and veggies.
And there are options like “Vegegrazian,” which keeps the selections to fruits and vegetables, and crackers and dips.
Another selection on the menu, “Sweet & Grazey,” also offers a bit of chocolate and cookies.
“Some of the feedback we’ve gotten is when you have your traditional lunch, sometimes it’s a little heavy,” Lamee said. “With these boards, you’re grazing. So if someone asks you a question, you’re not stuck with a mouthful while trying to answer.”
Lamee and his wife and co-owner Danette got the idea of bringing a Graze Craze store to Fresno after years of brainstorming how to spend time following their retirement from the military.
Danette and Rachapol Lamee, who are high school sweethearts, opened the first Graze Craze store in the Fresno area. The store offers a variety of charcuterie boards that are made of fresh dips, premium deli meats and cheeses, vegetables and fruits. BRYANT-JON ANTEOLA banteola@fresnobee.com
Rachapol and Danette, who were high school sweethearts, served 20 years in the Army. After retiring, the couple decided to relocate to Clovis and be near family.
He worked at Fresno State for five years, helping instruct cadets with the university’s ROTC program; she got into yoga instructing and spearheaded raising their three boys.
Lamee eventually got into the wine industry, but knew he wanted to be a business owner and not just a worker for someone else’s business.
Then one night while scrolling through his emails, he opened a message from a veterans group that was encouraging retired military folks to consider a post-military career in entrepreneurship.
The email suggested a number of businesses to consider opening. They gravitated toward Graze Craze, which has its headquarters based in Florida, because it offered a healthy living aspect and seemed fun.
“We want to bring something new and fresh to the community,” Lamee said.
A Graze Craze store opened in Fresno County earlier this month, offering a variety of fruits, vegetables, deli meats and cheeses. BRYANT-JON ANTEOLA banteola@fresnobee.com
Graze Craze is at the southeast corner of Clovis and Herndon avenues in the The Trading Post shopping center.
Hours are weekdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and weekends from 11a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Bryant-Jon Anteola is a multimedia reporter for The Fresno Bee, writing stories and producing videos about sports, news and random topics relatable to those in the Fresno area. He’s won a McClatchy President’s Award and received honorable mention by the Associated Press Sports Editors. He enjoys sports because of the competition, camaraderie and energy, and views sports as a microcosm of society.