Earth Fare, the authentic specialty organic and natural foods grocery store, opened its newest location at 11525 State Road 70 E. on Saturday, offering Lakewood Ranch residents the convenience of healthier, happier shopping.

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Earth Fare celebrated the grand opening of its 46th location in Lakewood Ranch, Florida on Saturday, ...

Earth Fare celebrated the grand opening of its 46th location in Lakewood Ranch, Florida on Saturday, January 27. More than 800 shoppers lined up before 7 a.m. to be among the first inside the store when it opened.

The grand opening celebration began with a ribbon cutting and a $3,000 charitable donation made to Lakewood Ranch Community Services to fund school gardens in the Lakewood Ranch area. Throughout the day, hundreds of shoppers enjoyed product demonstrations, giveaways, and entertainment.

With 46 locations across the Southeast, Midwest, and mid-Atlantic, and many more locations to come, Earth Fare is a national brand with local roots, and demonstrates a commitment to each community it serves. To hear what Lakewood Ranch shoppers want out of the new store, Earth Fare connected with a wide range of community members through its Community Advisory Board. The Board is comprised of local health and wellness experts, as well as residents and community leaders. These individuals have been integral in tailoring the retailer’s approach to the in-store experience, ensuring the store’s offerings meet the needs of the local community.

“We could not be more thrilled to now offer Lakewood Ranch residents a place to shop for all their families’ grocery needs, knowing their carts are full of only the healthiest, tastiest foods,” said Frank Scorpiniti, president and CEO of Earth Fare. “We are thankful to our local vendors and Community Advisory Board for helping Earth Fare build the best healthy offering, specific to the Lakewood Ranch area.”

Earth Fare made headlines one year ago when it challenged Americans to take back control of their health through their food choices and Live Longer With Earth Fare®. Since its founding in 1975, Earth Fare has maintained a unique Food Philosophy that informs every product offered in the store. This Food Philosophy is exemplified by a rigorous set of Quality Standards, which ensures that all products sold are free of high fructose corn syrup, artificial fats and trans-fats, artificial colors, artificial preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and bleached or bromated flour, and are never administered antibiotics or growth hormones. These ingredients and additives are outlined on Earth Fare’s pioneering Boot List. In addition, Earth Fare offers more than 750 private brand food products sourced using only non-GMO ingredients, with more added to shelves each day.

Beyond groceries, the new store will also feature Earth Fare’s Heirloom Organic Juice Bar, which serves 100 percent Certified Organic smoothies and juices, and offers custom blends as well as convenient, freshly prepared bottles to go. Shoppers will also find a wide variety of organic choices at Earth Fare’s Lakewood Ranch Kitchen, featuring a salad bar, hot foods bar, pizza station, sandwich counter, and conveniently packaged meals-on-the-go. Shoppers can enjoy a homemade meal without the work, whether dining in the cafe with free Wi-Fi or taking it home.

Learn more about Earth Fare’s fresh approach to improving lives through a healthier lifestyle at www.earthfare.com.

ABOUT EARTH FARE

Founded in 1975, in Asheville, North Carolina, Earth Fare is one of the largest natural and organic retailers in the country with 46 locations across 10 states in the Southeast, mid-Atlantic and Midwest. Their full-service philosophy incorporates the highest food Quality Standards in the industry with compelling value, friendly and knowledgeable service, and a superior shopping experience. It’s a philosophy that makes it easy to live a healthier lifestyle, every day.

Live Longer with Earth Fare®