Central Florida Green Guide

 

Hoover’s Organic and Locally-Grown Produce 

 © photo copyright Carrie Boyko 

More than a few of my neighbors in the Altamonte Springs area often whine about the lack of a larger health food market in our area. Yet, these residents of North Orange and West Seminole counties have a gem of a healthy market, tucked just off Highway 436 near its intersection with Highway 434. Hoover’s Essential Health Market, located at 1035 Academy Drive offers much that the larger organic markets do, on a smaller scale and with a personal touch.   

 

With an easy “in and out” at a traffic light, a freshly made, organic sandwich or wrap for lunch is only a few minutes’ stop at Hoover’s. While they make your sandwich, you’ll have a minute to pick up a beverage from their large selection, and add a piece of fruit, bag of snacks, nuts or other goodies to round out your day’s healthy energy sources. Herein lies the most unique offering of this hometown market.  

 

Hoover’s Offers Fresh Organic

 Sandwiches and Wraps

 © copyright Carrie Boyko

 As a grocer, Hoover’s selection offers most of what I need to feed my family. While they do not carry fresh meats, their generously sized cooler and freezer sections stock natural hot dogs and sandwich meats, frozen fish options, along with plenty of vegetarian and vegan main dish choices. There is a noticeably wide assortment of frozen entrees for quick dinners or a hot lunch at the office. 

 

Add a fresh salad from their plentiful produce section and fresh bread from their bakery aisle and dinner’s ready soon after you arrive home. Local produce is clearly a priority, as it is always marked with a large tag, and greens are plentiful. Basic fruits are also available, mostly in-season, and often locally grown, such as apples, citrus fruits, lemons, and berries. Bananas are generally available, as well. 

 

A wide selection of frozen fruits and vegetables for cooking are available in the freezer section, which I’ve noticed is always well stocked. The store focuses on vitamins, health and personal care products, along with healthy food options such as fresh and frozen produce, a wide selection of dry and canned goods covering all the various food specialties such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and kosher, to name just a few. Pet and household products also have a fairly strong presence, which I find quite helpful. 

 

You may be asking what else sets Hoover’s apart from its neighbor, Chamberlain’s. Aside from the deli, which is a big offering, their location is convenient for those who often travel Highway 436 to and from work. Special events such as blood testing, guest speakers, and new product sampling are frequent events, which add to their charm and encourage return visits. They do a good job of advertising upcoming events with signs and ads in their flyers, which most certainly enhances their business. As I arrived to take photos, a line had formed for entry into their meeting area, as a speaker was about to begin. Clearly, Hoover’s is communicating well with their target market. 

 

 

While their hours of operation are a bit unconventional, I have not found this to be a problem. Saturdays are for family, and I often avoid the grocers due to overcrowding. While Hoover’s is closed on Saturdays, they make up for this by being open Mondays-Thursdays 8 to 8, Fridays 8-5:00 p.m. (sunset), and Sundays 8 to 7, easily allowing for most customers to visit during their off-work hours. Thinking about this, it occurred to me, what a nice perk it must be to work in retail and have every Saturday off. Their employees are lucky, as are their customers who have discovered this gem.  

 

 Carrie is a long time resident of Central Florida who enjoys dog activities, water sports, and writing about all things green and organic at her blog, Organic Journey Online. Married for 31 years, she has 3 grown children. She is also passionate about saving our dog parks in this economic crisis, and has founded Adopt a Dog Park, where you can visit to learn how to help save these sanctuaries for green family fun.