First Sarasota-Bradenton EARTH FARE Grocery Store to open Jan. 27, 2018

Earth Fare, founded in 1975 in Asheville, N.C. will open its newest store January 27, 2018 in The Green shopping centre at Lakewood Ranch, Florida. The shopping centre is located on the northeast corner of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and State Road 70 East.

Just a short drive south along the Gulf of Mexico from Anna Maria Island Condo Rentals – 601 Gulf Dr. N. Anna Maria Island, Florida 34217.

Earth Fare is passionate about clean foods and the connection to their shopper’s healthy, longer lives. They pride themselves on providing healthy food choices that are easy and enjoyable.

Earth Fare will join other Manatee/Sarasota boutique-style markets like Trader Joe’s, Fresh Market and Whole Foods.

The 23,500 square foot store wont be selling just groceries, will feature Earth Fare’s Heirloom Organic Café and Juice Bar. Enjoy, coffee, smoothies and juices at their Cafe/Juice Bar.

I have shopped at a couple of Earth Fare stores in other states and in both stores the aisles were filled with foods with no additives, hormones, antibiotics, artificial sweeteners under any name, bleached or bromated flours, transfats, or artificial colours and their selections were amazing.

The fresh fish counters featured excellent choices at reasonable prices and we have enjoyed their shrimp, cod, snapper, tuna, and crab cakes… including gluten free versions.
Their meat departments were extensive areas with many tempting offerings in various cuts of beef, pork, lamb, chicken and sausages. I have also visited the olive bar and bought assorted olives and pickled mushrooms adding tasty treats to our meals.

The bakery, amazing, I love the carrot cake varieties! The breads, so many varieties, all tempting as well.

As for the deli case – I am prisoner to their various potato salads, so far the herb style being my favourite. The cranberry-almond chicken salad and tuna salad were delicious. They had a super choice of lunch meats and cheeses galore which were not loaded with nitrates and salt!

On another trip I headed straight to the fresh food court where you can have salads, sushi made in front of you, sandwiches pre-made or made fresh for you, along with pizza ( including gluten free pizza) and soups or hot dishes of various varieties. This area appeared successful as there was a crowd there with many people eating in the tabled area provided. A great store to people watch, I saw many running in to get fresh meals to go.The stores I have shopped in have been so clean and service oriented, I think Earth Fare it is sure to be a growing success.

I look forward to shopping at their new Bradenton-Sarasota store.

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