Florida

We spent quite awhile in the Tampa area and have discovered MANY raw food 'gems'.

There are two health food stores within a 5 mile bike riding distance from where we stayed. Abby's (http://local.yahoo.com/details?fr=dd-local-tl2&id=14469224&stx=abby%27s&csz=Tampa+FL&ed=KOSGkK160Szhw2ydqo2S4FU5V8MjGRBU0_MLjXMCr3esRPDYqo22jHRxTIpZPCXTfX1aG8ET9OiEBGh9KQ--)and Nutrition S'mart..(http://www.nutritionsmart.com/retailer/store_templates/ret_custom_page4.asp?storeID=8DL33QDQR2S92LR50G03N0ET95B5AVQ4). they are both on Dale Mabry Highway in the Carrollwood Area of Tampa, which is in North Tampa.

There is a Wild Oats (http://local.yahoo.com/details?id=33165013&stx=wild+oats&csz=Tampa+FL&ed=ATqwx6160Sy5VxaPrR9PDd3q.Lo_lISd53nucDYDfVCdykwdoqX2J7nLKmRB1udvoE8B3R4yhgVSH_2x) in South Tampa it is also off Dale Mabry, but on the South End of town and can be easily seen from the highway (I275)
Because William is retired military, we have access to the commissary on Mac Dill AFB which has some organic foods.

We spent about three weeks in Tampa and discovered two great Raw Foods establishments: Grass Roots, which is a Vegan and Raw Rest. They host a meet-up potluck the first Sunday of the month. (http://www.thegrassrootlife.com/)
Also is The Glass Onion, (glassoniontampa.com) which hosts a raw food meet-up on the third Sunday of the month. (http://rawfood.meetup.com/332/?gj=sj35) The Owner, Clint, also holds yoga classes and raw UN-cooking classes. Check it out!!
I told Clint I'd put the word out if anyone is looking for a business partnership in a Raw Vegan business that is ready to take off to look him up!!
Also, we had the pleasure of meeting Manny and Josh owners of Empowered Foods (http://empoweredfoods.com/) who have the BEST raw chocolates we have ever tasted!!
By the way... it is rumored that they are looking to sell the business... again, anyone looking for a business parnership, The Glass Onion would be a perfect production and business location!! Call Clint!!


Sarasota was our next stop where we discovered a few organic places and a raw restaurant!
Jessicas Organic Farm (http://www.jessicasorganicfarm.com/) Which had some of the most AMAZING greens I have ever encountered!!
The Granary, which has two locations in Sarasota is a "grocery store" type business. Small but relatively complete in what they sell. Much organic produce, bulk items and just about everything one would need to create any raw food dish!! (http://local.yahoo.com/details?fr=dd-local-tl2&id=14596647&stx=the+granary&csz=Sarasota+FL&ed=k56RYa160SwZH.F1XiCRzfiMbyHMtWxF227gQLRDvSdoRNSt8sqZlO.8MYvc_.CrOh_pvxJyjwOYXlJ.OQ--) and (http://local.yahoo.com/details?fr=dd-local-tl1&id=14588111&stx=the+granary&csz=Sarasota+FL&ed=D4Xm7K160Swm3kR8OzEsqcUKBr8ySw8G_diWBS.yib.f5lWRl6rKFP6nH8egbo4YpBxLAsM-)
We found a new raw restaurant in Sarasota called Veggie Magic (http://www.veggiemagic.com/index.html) owned by Raw food film documentary star Jenna Norwood, Supercharge me 30 days raw (http://www.superchargeme.com/) They also have Raw Potlucks which can be found on Meetup.com.
In Miami we have Glaser Organic Farms (http://www.glaserorganicfarms.com/) which is open on Saturdays from 10am till dark. Home of South Florida's oldest organic farmers market.This lively event takes place in a beautiful open air market with South Florida's widest selection of freshly harvested organic fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains and dried fruits. Come hungry and enjoy our unique raw foods deli, featuring Sprouted Spreads, Gourmet Salads, Giant Nori Rolls, fresh squeezed juices, and astonishingly beautiful raw fruit pies.
Talk to and buy direct from the farmer that grows your food.
In St Augustine Florida is The Present Moment Cafe (http://www.thepresentmomentcafe.com/menu.htm) we have not been there, but it looks wonderful!!
We did have the opportunity to visit the Hippocreates Institute in West Palm Beach... they have tours and on Wednesdays and Saturdays you can enjoy lunch for $20. The last Thursday of every month they have question and answers with free food sampling! (http://www.hippocratesinst.com/)
On the way to Key West there are a few places of interst: In Homestead, FL, there is an organic Fruit and Veggie stand called "Robert is Here"(http://www.robertishere.com/#)
Somewhere in that same area is reported to be an establishment called "Friends of the Fruit and Spice Park (http://www.fruitandspicepark.org/friends/) this is another place we have yet to visit, if we do visit, we will report on our findings!!
On the way to Key West is a small shop that sells fresh smoothies and juices, it is located on Big Pine Key and is called Good Food Conspiracy (http://www.bigpinegoodfood.com/).
In Key West is The Waterfront Market which has a large assortment of organic foods and a juice bar on the second floor.
Also located in Key West is Rita Romano, author of Dining in the Raw. Rita was a raw foods chef at Hippocrates for MANY years and when she is not off traveling and uncooking for other events, she hosts a raw food potluck on Tuesday evenings.
Rita was the one who introduced us to the Raw Food lifestyle three years ago!! (http://www.rawkitchen.com/)

So far that is our Florida listing... last year we had occasion to visit MANY other locations, i hindsight were 20/20 I would have that info available now!!