Lunch at the Grocery Store? Try it ~ you'll like it!!

I've spent the past three days at Grand Opening events for the new Earth Fare store located in the Seminole City Center.  Monday was a private tour for the Community Advisory Board, a VIP Party on Tuesday and Grand Opening on Wednesday. Having been so impressed and having so much fun, I decided to go back with a friend today and give her the exclusive tour! (Private tour by me)

   If you haven't been to check out Earth Fare yet, I think that you will be pleasantly surprised. There is nothing in this area that even compares.  Of course there are grocery stores with cut up fruits and vegetables and grocery stores with prepared foods and even grocery stores that sell things in bulk (or minimal) but it is very rare to find it all in one store!

Grab a few cookies for dessert! Mix and match sold by the pound.  The woman next to me bought four cookies.  This is perfect for someone like me who has to complete what she starts (ie. a bag of chips, a package of cookies, a pint of ice cream ~ you get it!)







This cooler is filled with all different kids of local beers, ciders and hard rootbeers.  Remember this area when you are thinking about what you want to eat for lunch, because you can DRINK whatever you buy with you meal in the Cafe'!!! 

 Now, back to lunch. If you are are in a hurry and can't stay and eat - grab a prepared salad or sandwich.

 As you can see there are numerous kinds of salads as well as many different premade sandwiches.

 If you want to make your own salad and put whatever you want on it, head on over to the organic and fresh salad bar and build your own salad.

The topping selection is fabulous with fresh blue cheese crumbles and six different types of dressing.

Thinking you might rather have a pizza?  They are hot and fresh.  2 slices for $6.00. Several varieties available.

 And if that isn't enough, there is a HOT food bar with various selections of proteins and side dishes.

Did I even mention the sushi?  There is always someone making fresh sushi!  Every Wednesday it is only $5 and all during Grand Opening week.   

 I finally decided to get two slices of pizza AND a sushi roll because I knew my husband would eat whatever was left over!! 

 The crunchy shrimp roll was an easy decision for me.  It looks so pretty and tasted so fresh that I inevitably ate the whole thing. Sorry to my hubby, but I know he enjoyed the pizza!

 And, the best part of  my lunch was that I got to enjoy one of the bottles of Truly Spiked and Sparkling that I had just purchased.  I have never tried this beverage before, but I will definitely be buying it more! 5% alcohol, 100 calories, 1g sugar. The pomegranate flavor was delicious.

My friend made a much faster decision than I did.  She chose to go with one of the $6 sandwiches. Later, I will tell you the daily specials.  

This is the cranberry pecan croissant. (Signature cranberry pecan chicken salad with romaine lettuce, cheese and mayo.)

During Grand Opening week, there are many local vendors in the store giving samples of their products.  Today, Kevita sparkling propbiotic drink was on hand to tell us about their products. We were able to sample a new flavor on the market that is not available anywhere else in Florida, yet.  Mango habanero kombucha.  Yes, I had to grab a few bottles to enjoy at home!  Thanks Earth Fare for having vendors on hand to answer our questions and let us taste the products!!

As promised, here are the daily specials:

Monday - $5 whole roasted chickens

Tuesday - 2/$4 pizza slices

Wednesday - Build your own meal $6

Thursday - $6 sandwiches

Friday - Take and bake pizza $6

Saturday and Sunday - 50 cent cooked wings, $7 take and bake pizza, and $10 hot pizza.

Earth Fare is located at 7774 113th Street N in Seminole.   Make sure to sign up for the Healthy Rewards card as the savings are stupendous!! (I bought 16-20 lb shrimp today for $9.99 pound using my card.)  They are open daily from 7am until 10pm.    You can view more pictures at Tampa Bay Afternoon Delight on Facebook. Like me there,  please!

Want to win a $25 gift card. Follow me on Instagram and comment "I want to win" on any of the Earthfare pictures. A random winner will be selected on September 30th at noon.

#earthfaresem #myearthfare

New Grocery Store ( Earth Fare) Coming to Pinellas County!

Normally my posts are all about local restaurants and my experiences, but this is just such fabulous news that I have to share with you!

EarthFare will be celebrating their Grand Opening on Wednesday, September 28th at 6:45 am.  Until this year, I had not heard of EarthFare.  Fortunately, I was selected to be on the Community Advisory Board! Not only did I learn all about Earth Fare,  I had the opportunity to sample many of the foods that will be available in the new store located at the corner of 113th Street and Park Boulevard.

One of the most exciting things is the bulk food section which has over 177 items, including agave nectar and honey!!  In addition, there will be a over 9,000 items in the wellness department where you will be able to purchase spices by the OUNCE!!! Yes, you no longer have to buy a whole bottle of cardamom (or some other spice) to use in a recipe and find out that you do not like it!!

Earth Fare pledges, "Our food is free of: added hormones, artificial fats and trans-fats, artificial sweeteners, bleached or bromated flour, antibiotics, high fructose corn syrup, artificial preservatives and artificial colors or flavors."  If you find anything in the store that is on the "boot list," they will remove it from the store!

There are so many wonderful things to come from this new (to the area) store!  Plenty of events during opening week, so make sure to attend at least one of them.

Earth Fare is located at 7774 113th Street N in Seminole. Be sure to like the Facebook page  and also sign up online for emails.  They send GREAT discounts!!     

#myearthfare