Acting on a hot tip, I just phoned this health food store, and sure enough, they carry chia seed for $5.79 for 1/2 a pound.
As far as I know, this is the only place you can purchase chia on Long Island (other than through Chia Power.) I've been to Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and lots of other health food stores, and so far, no one has even heard of chia!
However, I understand that Wild by Nature will soon be carrying Salba products throughout Long Island. I'll keep you posted.
(First posted in February, 2008.)