Enjoy Raw, Fresh, Organic on the Coast of Connecticut

If you find yourself east of New Haven—on the coast of Connecticut for vacation or driving past on I-95 in need of a healthy break—look for the delightful Foodworks Natural Foods Markets.

The store in Guilford, conveniently off of I-95 exit 59 on Route 1 aka Boston Post Road, has a full selection of frozen, fresh, and packaged foods as well as health and beauty products. Its gem, hidden in the back of the store, is the juice bar and deli. From 9:30 to 3 Monday to Friday you can get fresh made juices (my favorite is the Green Lemonade with lemons, kale, celery, ginger and apple), smoothies (options include fruit-only and vegan), wraps, sandwiches, salads and daily muffins in wheat and gluten-free varieties. I usually avoid gluten-free muffins since I can't eat eggs, but Foodworks makes their gluten-free muffins vegan-friendly with no eggs! The wraps and sandwiches, available pre-made in a cooler or made-to-order, are on gluten bread, but a variety of salads and sandwich stuffings are available for gluten-free shoppers like chickpea or quinoa salads.

The Foodworks in Old Saybrook is on Main Street near the corner of Route 1, a few blocks from the train station. No juice bar here, but a store chock-a-block with good food. Raw foodies take note that the Old Saybrook store sells Organic Nectars raw nut ice creams for those hankering for an indulgence.

Both stores sell not just one, but two brands of raw milk—thankfully legal in the state of Connecticut—both delicious, according to the dairy-drinkers in my family. Deliveries are Wednesdays and Fridays. For pet owners—both stores carry a good assortment of extremely healthy animal foods and snacks for your beloved critters.

While the Guilford juice bar and deli are only open until 3 (deli until 2 pm, juice and smoothies until 3) on weekdays, both stores are open seven days a week.

Foodworks Guilford, 450 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT 06437, 203-458-9778
Open: Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 7 pm, Saturday 10 am to 7 pm, Sunday 11 am to 6 pm
Foodworks Old Saybrook, 17 Main Street, Old Saybrook, CT 06475, 860-395-0770
Open: Monday to Saturday 9:30 am to 6 pm, Sunday 10 am to 5 pm
Web: food-works.org