I don't know that there is a "best" place. Many gardeners just plant cloves bought at the grocery store. Even many local feed, farm, and hardware stores around here offer both hardneck and softneck varieties but that may just be a regional demand thing.

Walmart, Lowes, and Home Depot have several different varieties for sale too. But most any of the common online seed vendors sell it at planting times - Territorial, Gurneys, Gardens Alive, Burpees, etc. Just be aware of shipping costs.

http://www.territorialseed.com/category/all-garlic-shallot-bulbs

https://www.filareefarm.com/

Dave

the farmers market is the best place to get seed garlic

When I first started growing garlic most of mine came from Seed Savers. After a few years of success I kept adding more using local resources like Keene Organics and the Farmers Market. I have even bought some varieties from Burpee, Jung's etc. Just keep in mind you want the largest bulbs possible for the best results. I wouldn't recommend buying garlic from the grocery store to plant, you never know what variety you are getting just that it will be a softneck type. And at least here in WI softnecks can be picky, hardnecks grow much better in northern climates.

http://www.seedsavers.org/category/garlic

https://www.keeneorganics.com/

http://www.burpee.com/vegetables/garlic/#sz=24&start=24&type=grid

PS. It looks like burpee has stepped it up from the last time I ordered from them. They have a really nice selection right now.

Since you are in NJ you might want to try this company in north Jersey:

http://www.dirtgoddessseeds.com

I bought garlic from them about three years ago and have been planting it every year since.

Thank you all so much. I've been away for the last week (not ideal for the garden, but it's what works for my family) so haven't responded until now. Thanks to @Happy Hill Farm, I was able to order from a very local source. Thank you!