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34 reviews for Alberta Cooperative Grocery
Review Highlights
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"The bulk food section and the natural health/beauty section." In 8 reviews -
"1- Great, reasonably priced produce." In 13 reviews -
"The people who work there are super friendly and helpful." In 4 reviews
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34 reviews in English
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Review from Lid C.
2/18/2012
I'm in love with the co-op. The love has been slowly growing with each visit, every time I go, I love it just a little bit more. Yesterday we had our commitment ceremony, I finally decided to become a member-owner. I bet the ring will be made of recycled and compostable local materials. The love started with some of the things they have that nobody else has. Can I mention the amazing organic multi-colored popcorn in the bulk section for only $1.99 a pound? I think that's close to what you pay for regular boring yellow popcorn at other places. Yesterday I tried some raw, sprouted almonds, also in their bulk section. Divine. I've picked up fresh salsa from their bulk section, which I knew I would like because they had samples out that day (as they do most days).
Then I started noticing the sales. Damn, the sales are crazy good. I bought Vegenaise there for $2 (normally $5), Tofurky vegan pizza for $4 (normally $8), Daiya for $3.50 (normally $5) and more. When I see something on sale there, I stock up. It's a small store but it's essentially a larger version of my pantry, they carry most things I purchase and only a few things that I don't care for, most notably the small section in their freezer dedicated to meat. If it weren't for that unfortunate circumstance, you would probably assume the co-op was vegetarian, based on their other offerings. Most items they stock are organic so we have that going for us too. I can say 'we' now that I'm a member-owner.
And last there's the pleasantness of the whole shopping experience. My devotion to the co-op began on the day before Thanksgiving when I realized I forgot a crucial ingredient for the dinner I was hosting and I knew every grocery store would be a madhouse. I remembered my trusty co-op had that ingredient so I headed there with my fingers crossed that I wouldn't encounter the craziness of other stores. I was in and out in less than 2 minutes. There was nobody in line and plenty of people available to assist you. I let out a sigh of relief and vowed to start shopping there more frequently since they clearly are under the radar and overlooked by many.
At the risk of making my shopping experience more crowded, I urge you to check out the co-op. I now swing by at least twice a week and I am often surprised at the rotating selection of sales, inventory and new items. Everything is fresh, clean and looks desirable. Plus, they're open until 10pm every night and they have a handful of parking spots available. I think the co-op and I will be very happy together for a long time.Listed in: Vegan Havens, Stocking The Fridge
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Review from R W.
Portland, OR
2/8/2012 2 Check-ins Here
ACG does a great job of blending neighborhood co-op health food needs with busy corner convenience store needs. It is kind of expensive, but the produce is always quality and no b.s. about its sustainable cred. As New Seasons gets more and more expensive, I do more and more shopping at ACG.
Sometimes the staff, including the working members/volunteers, seem to have a malaise. But, it's gotten better in the last few years and I understand that they offer their employees health insurance. If you live in the neighborhood definitely sign up for their newsletter. It's always helpful with recipes and heads up on what's fresh in the produce department.
They have Earth Balance buttery spread in bulk! How awesome is that? -
Review from Kaitlin P.
Portland, OR
2/3/2012
I have a love-hate relationship with this co-op. Sure I'm a member and sure I love supporting a local business that supplies us with local products. But. I've never had great service by the employees. It always feels like they're really stuck up and snooty and don't want to be bothered by someone who may not appear to fit the standard "co-op stereotype."
But that aside, this a great little grocery store. I tend to shop here most often for produce and bulk products. Their bulk section is well-stocked and has quite a large variety for such a small store. They often have good sales and I always take advantage of those. -
Review from Andrew C.
1/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
All I smell is "cold." I blame winter. So upon entry and throughout my entire time in the store I never experienced what every other reviewer tends to point out - the scent. Apparently this place smells interesting. I didn't notice it. Again, I blame winter.
I don't think I've ever walked into a grocery store and been psyched, though. To see that almost everything in here is Oregon made was pretty cool. Even if I live across the street from a New Seasons, I can take the visual memories of this place and attempt to buy the same products closer to home. On the first trip, I came away with habanero cheese curds (so healthy....) and some Sunshine dairy chocolate milk. No, I'm not pregnant.
The bulk section of this store is pretty impressive but, like most smaller markets, they severely lack in meats. No meat counter to speak of at this place, just a few selections wrapped up in plastic and left in the freezers. The downside of this is that dinner becomes a double trip if you plan to involve meat. And if I'm having to go to two grocery stores to complete a meal, I might as well just go to New Seasons to get everything instead. How unfortunate.
On the upside, it's great to know this place is pretty cool after having driving past it for about five years and never stopping. If you're in the Alberta area and need some quick beer or non-meat product, this is your spot.
One star off for the staff... They were rather curt and generally 'un-smiley.' I'd have liked to believe a local grocery store selling local goods wouldn't source local crab-apple employees but that appeared to be the case on the night of my visit.Listed in: Alberta
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Review from Marissa S.
Seattle, WA
Every time I am in Portland I make a point to stop in here and fill up my bag with local goodies. This last trip I was overjoyed to find a lovely selection of date sweetened chocolate. This in the form of chocolate bars, hemp butter cups, and raw chocolate covered banana slices. Healthy hog heaven!
Next time I'll have to buy some of that amazing miracle cream, it made my hair feel SO good.
This is a small and cozy co-op, but I don't mind that one bit. They don't have everything there, but they do have a lot of interesting and wonderful things, and you can't expect one co-op to meet all your needs. This is not the internet.
Each time I have been here I have also dealt with a very friendly staff. Maybe that is because I am outwardly friendly myself and usually have good experiences that way, or maybe I am dealing with different employees, but I the people who I have met who work here all seem to love their co-op, and that includes the people who shop there.
I don't even live in PDX, but I am thinking about becoming a member of this co-op when i have the money because I do so enjoy it every time i visit!
I love Seattle, but I wish I could move Alberta to the Emerald City, and include the Alberta Co-op! -
Review from Geanna M.
4/9/2011 35 Check-ins Here
I love the people and the atmosphere at this small co-op grocery store. I have been a member-owner for just under a year, and becoming one is one of the best decisions I have made.
The staff and other member-owners are friendly and helpful and, although the selection is small, they are always willing to help me find just what I need. They will even go out of their way to research other co-ops in the area that might have the ingredients I seek.
I have a positive experience every time I walk through the doors. -
Review from Amelia S.
Portland, OR
8/4/2011
I've been going here for over a year. Not a member, but I have found this little co-op pretty satisfying. I love them for their bulk section, especially herbs (personal bias-it's just my thing), and like them alright for the rest of the store. They are a little pricey. I deal with it, because I like what they do have. They are pretty close to my house, as well.
What I do not like, is the produce section is a little lacking. I understand that fresh foods from nearby are better for the community in more than a couple ways, but some of the produce I've gotten over the past year goes too quickly-in a day or two. This could be understandable and more forgiveable if the staff was actually friendly.
I thought it was just bad days, or a couple sour grapes, but pretty much every in the past four months that I have encountered there has behaved rudely; they are passive aggressive, roll your eyes when you ask for help looking for something, snooty at checkout when "No, I'm not a member" time comes up. I try to joke around, inquire about their days, not expecting too much, maybe a smile or something a little original out of their mouths. But it's all tight-lipped hipsters manning the registers. Pricing things wrongly for me (I have had to point out multiple times that they are overcharging me for something) and just generally look unhappy to be interacting with customers.
Get over it, hipster, and just give me my carrots and chia seeds!!
I will still go here for bulk stuff. But I don't like snobs, so I am finding somewhere else to go in the kind time between.
Even with my purge of negativity above, ACO-OP is pretty great if you take their workers with a grain of pink Himalayan salt....maybe throw some in their eyes. -
Review from Frank L.
10/31/2010 2 Check-ins Here
GF is big on co-ops. She used to work at one back in the day. She signed us both up as members right after we moved to Portland. This is a pretty decent little grocery. Most importantly, they carry Secret Aardvark Hot Sauce. I'm addicted to the stuff.
I like the bulk section. I also like the idea of buying local products and supporting local businesses. Perhaps the prices are a little high--compared to a soul-crushing, environment-raping, behemoth, mega-corp Death Star like Walmart or Whole Foods, but there's a BIG hidden price for those low, low prices. I'd rather support local, thank you.
This is a nice little store and I always seem to find something special to try when I shop there.Listed in: Walkin' Distance
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Review from Justin D.
Portland, OR
6/19/2011
Ok, first of all, no bulk section(s) I've yet found compares to the bulk section(s) of Rainbow Grocery in SF.
That being said, Alberta has an amazing selection of bulk foods (which seems to be getting larger every time I go in there). By far the best bulk selection I've yet to find in Portland. They now even have bulk earth balance, tofuti cream cheese and Daiya! Wow!
Ok, aside from bulk (can you tell I like a good bulk selection?) Alberta is actually one of the cleapest places I've found for quality produce, most of which is SUPER local and organic. They are consistently cheaper than New Seasons and Whole Poops on apples and such. Not to mention the apples at Alberta are almost always from very close by. Organic onions and garlic are always cheaper, and that doesn't even account for the discounted produce bin! Yeahhh! I love that bin. $0.39/lb on produce that's still edible, but not very pretty.
The staff is always, super friendly, and helpful. I really can't say enough good things about this place. If you live in the North East, become a member and shop here. It's amazing.
Oh, and if you're a working member you get even bigger discounts! -
Review from Laura N.
1/1/2008 1 photo
Stop and smell the sweet scent of organic goodness!
Kelly M is exactly right - there is something about the staunch smell of sustainability - and the more organic these local grocers are, the more this intoxicating pungency seeps from every aisle.
Alberta Co-op has a mission of becoming a community resource and gathering place, by working to get their customers face to face with the farmers. Even cooler - the Alberta community actually owns this store and you don't have to be a member to shop!
I was exceptionally pleased to see that the only thing greener than the items was my check-out clerk's hair. : )
Stores like this make me so thankful that I call Portland home! -
Review from Tom B.
Portland, OR
5/15/2011
A little spendy but thats expected of a co-op. Sometimes they have good deals and they have great selection!! Could use more selection of fresh (not frozen) meat though.
Also I'm all for bagging my own groceries but when there's someone behind you in line and you're still scrambling to pack your food and the clerk just watches you do it .. that's a bummer. Would've been nice if he helped me out a bit rather than just stand there and watch. -
Review from Leslie E.
Portland, OR
11/2/2011
I basically live across the street, so I'm here a lot. It's insanely expensive, but that's because you're paying for locally produced food, and supporting the community. They play great music in store, the employees are nice for the most part. The selection is very limited on non-vegetarian items...
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Review from Steven W.
San Francisco, CA
5/3/2010
I tried really hard to make Alberta co-op my grocery store.
It's closer to my house than Fred Meyer or New Seasons. The people who work there are super friendly and helpful. I love supporting a homegrown Alberta business with ethical practices. And I just plain appreciate a co-op that doesn't shut out non-members.
But no matter how much I want to shop here, I simply can't afford it. The very same products are several dollars cheaper at other stores, and if the choice is between eating and supporting the co-op, I prefer to eat.
Other factors that drive me away include the lack of a real meat department and the otherwise crap selection of produce and other goods. -
Review from Kelly M.
Portland, OR
7/10/2007
Immediately upon walking in the Alberta Coop, i notice that comforting health-food store smell. What is it about these cooperative groceries that results in that particular sweet odor?
A longtime fixture on Alberta, this grocery store is owned by neighbors and caters to the neighborhood. The friendly staff keep the shelves well stocked with organic, natural food items, local produce, bulk items, perishables and must-have healthy groceries. -
Review from Jeremy H.
Portland, OR
10/19/2011
Wonderful coop, good selection for such a small place. You can get stuff here that's hard to find elsewhere. Great bulk selection. Also easy to get involved.
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Review from bobby d.
Gales Creek, OR
11/30/2008
A small alternative grocery store full of all sorts of organic foods. I wasn't expecting much walking in. But once inside i was really impressed by the variety of foods some of which are locally made and not found at the chain type alternative grocery stores. I bought a ton of stuff since the prices were good and i need to stock up for the winter! They have produce, some bulk items, a frozen foods section, and the usual boxed stuff.
The staff were really friendly and they seem to have a pretty good stock of items. They were out of one item i really wanted, but plenty of stock on the other stuff. I will be back when in the area.Listed in: Best Health Food Store…
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Review from DJ G.
Portland, OR
2/3/2010
The new layout of the Alberta Co-op spurred me into writing this review. Love it!
This is my go-to spot for shopping. Close-in and easy to access and a key anchor spot for the not-quite-Hawthorne-class Alberta. The staff is friendly and helpful, even when your partner sends you with a list including "kuzu" (no, really, what is it?). Also, I don't have to spend 35 minutes picking out a type of dish detergent because there aren't 15,463 varieties on sale like Fred Meyer.
Unlike some co-ops, I recognize most of the food and the air doesn't smell like...c'mon, if you're reading this, you know that Co-op smell.
The selection of fruits and vegetables is not only excellent, it's priced right. Throw in a (newly) superb bulk section priced WAY under New Seasons and I'm sold.
Now if I can just keep the GF away from their free range, organic, wrapped-in-gold (or are they gold?), magic-imbued chocolate bars that cost more than a fine meal at Higgins... -
Review from Kelvin C.
Minneapolis, MN
12/26/2007
The Alberta Co-op started out as a buying club in the neighborhood maybe 8 years ago. While it's rise has mirrored the gentrification of Alberta, this little co-op represents some of the best that Portland has to offer.
Despite its small footprint, Alberta embodies the best of food - locally produced, organically grown, ethically wildcrafted - you name it. Decent wine selection, lots of grains, herbs, and nuts available in bulk (this is where you save money), organic produce, and a friendly staff. You can volunteer and receive a 15% discount and there's also a discount on cases. Bonus: their shnazzy new check out system runs on Linux! -
Review from Sarah B.
Portland, OR
7/25/2011
Last Wednesday, we bought a week's worth of groceries from the Alberta Co-Op, spending about $100 of our hard-earned cash on what we assumed would be yummy organic produce. On Friday -- two days later -- my boyfriend and I got home to find our house swarming with flies. My boyfriend killed more than 20 of them in one afternoon. We looked everywhere to find out how they managed to get into a clean apartment like our own, but we didn't find any cracks in the windows and our trash cans were all empty. After searching everywhere (and killing flies along the way), I reached my hand into the bag of recently fresh blueberries only to feel little white worms crawling in piles over each and every berry we had purchased at the Alberta Co-Op. In addition to this delightful development, all of our nectarines and peaches had started to mold in the same time period -- two days!
I called to complain and explain why we wouldn't be returning to the Alberta Co-Op, but the first person we talked to assuaged our anger by offering some kind of partial refund when "Steve" returned on Monday. My boyfriend called Steve and he informed us that the other guy was lying and it was probably our fault that we had maggots in our blueberries...because, you know, we always have maggots crawling around on our counters and refrigerator. Even after the fruit had molded, I thought this might be an okay place to stop in for a sandwich or other snack on the go, but I will never be returning to this establishment under any circumstances. I just hope other hard-working folks such as ourselves don't waste their money on Alberta Co-Op's high-priced, low-quality foods. -
Review from Christen M.
Portland, OR
1/29/2007
One of the things I dug about growing up in a small town was the way that a trip to the grocery store could result in several minutes of chit-chat with the checker. Sure, sometimes we'd just talk about the uninteresting contents of my cart, but often, we'd ask after each other's families and friends, or talk about local hot-button topics.
I've gotten to know some of the checkers at the Alberta Coop well enough at this point that I often end up chit-chatting for a few minutes before I leave the store. Doesn't hurt a bit that it's very close to my house and, for the tiny slab of real estate it occupies, carries an impressive variety of produce, staples, snacks and bulk items as well as natural toiletries and magazines, which are among my consumer vices. (I try to be frugal, but I just can't say no to bath salts and independent-press magazines!)
The kids who work at this coop tend to be friendly, hip (you're more likely to hear an indie-rock mix someone brought in than the Lite Favorites station) and helpful. While prices for fresh produce are likely to be a bit higher than at stores that sell more conventionally-grown produce, some of that can be mitigated by becoming a working or owning member of the co-op (an arrangement that carries with it a small discount). And of course, bulk items (my housemates and I buy toilet paper there by the case, and save a chunk of change doing so) also come with an automatic discount. -
Review from Olivia V.
Portland, OR
3/6/2009
I want to like this place but can't. WAY overpriced food with an attitude? No thank you. You have to pay to be a member, you barley get any discount and the selection is so-so.
I'm biased because I used to work in a store where all the bruised fruit was put outside for anyone and everyone to take, as well as all things approaching their expiration date and where the staff actually knew things about the vitamins, supplements and herbs they sold.
But still, come on. Even Whole foods as shitty as they are have less expensive, more flavorful produce. -
Review from Kenny H.
1/6/2008
I do not think I could say it better than Laura. This place is ALL Portland.
They even have good Spelt bread. Actually "tastes"...Good!! -
Review from Megan T.
3/8/2009 1 Check-in Here
I went here with my mother for the first time this past weekend and had a really positive experience. This co-op is chock full of awesome products, both local and otherwise. They have a wide variety of unusual items that you'd never find in other grocery stores, and that what makes this place so special.
My mom and I stopped in to find these Solstice bars that had recently gotten reviewed in the Oregonian. Once we found them, the workers were immediately checking in the bins above to see if they had any more flavors, without us even asking, which was incredibly impressive. Moreover, the cashier started talking to my mom about the bars, who makes them, distribution, etc. He was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable.
Also, mad props to the co-op for having a great assortment of individual mason jars. I got this awesome one with a handle and two others, and I didn't have to buy them in bulk like you have to do in so many other places. -
Review from Amanda M.
Chicago, IL
9/13/2010
Decent food and selection. I love the bulk section!
However, I felt it was very pricey and when I asked where something was the staff pointed to an aisle and I still couldn't find it...so I had to ask again and feel like an idiot. I know at places like Trader Joe's the employees HAVE to walk you over to whatever it is you ask for...and I feel like that is just good customer service. -
Review from Turner M.
Portland, OR
3/22/2009
I love this place! When I first moved to Portland, it was a great introduction to the Alberta neighborhood, and I'm bummed I don't live as close to it as I used to.
Staff has always been super friendly, and the selection is way better than any cooperative Grocery I shopped at back east. I never committed as a member, but had I kept living in the neighborhood, it would have been worth it.
Highly recommend it to anyone new in the neighborhood! -
Review from Katie C.
San Francisco, CA
1/19/2009
I absolutely love this place. The bulk food section and the natural health/beauty section.
Bring on in your jars, get your tare weight and fill'er up!
Plus a good friend on mine's brother works here, and he's wonderful! -
Review from Matt M.
6/6/2010
Over priced
Stinks
Not a single employee made eye-contact. -
Review from Steve X.
Portland, OR
6/12/2009
It's nice to have a coop in NE Portland. Coops are an important part of leveraging consumer power to more actively engage in how we get our food.
When I can, I buy my produce here. But that's about it. I think I've been spoiled by People's Coop, because I'm always a bit disappointed in the produce and bulk selection. I understand Alberta Coop has a much smaller space, and still in development. I'd enjoy seeing fresher and more diverse produce, as well as a fresh peanut-butter machine! -
Review from Suzanne W.
Beaverton, OR
3/30/2011
Definitely a fan of this Grocery. I learned about it after a friend of mine began volunteering time at the store. I was impressed by the selection of food, produce, and health care products. Love the bulk section! I feel that the prices on the produce is good, and I like the fact that most of what is in the grocery is local. It's nice that they allow Non-members of the Co-op to shop there as well.
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Review from Tamara Y.
Portland, OR
2/22/2011
Nice coop. Kombucha in BULK. Lovely bulf foods section.
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Review from Monica H.
12/9/2008
Pretty decent little grocery. Not much raw food selection but a great selection of everything else. The two guys that I spoke with that worked there were a great help, recommending raw restaurants and places to find raw food. Not quite as amazing as People's co-op but it's also on the other side of town and definitely better than a Whole Foods any day of the week. And it did have that super crunchy heady health food grocery store smell, which is comforting indeed.
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Review from Kiera H.
Portland, OR
2/6/2010
This is my Co-op and my favorite place to grocery shop. By my Co-op, I mean it's two miles away and I have to walk there and back with all of my groceries. Now that's devotion.
+1- Great, reasonably priced produce. The produce you find here will generally be cheaper than whole foods, but sometimes the same price. If I can't afford it from here, it means it came way too far anyway and it's not worth it. Except they rarely have chard. Why is that? It's not because it's hard to get, they have mango's and avocado's year round! I love chard, but I generally have to stop by whole foods on the way home to grab some.
+1- The bulk offerings are awesome. I can get salsa, tofu, all of my oils,agave, nuts, flours, snacks, etc. I once walked out with bottles of sesame, olive, and canola oil for like 5 bucks. It was amazing. I love buying in bulk.
+1- When things are on sale, they are cheap. This is usually how I shop here. If I want some junk food, I have to buy something on sale. And you don't have to be a member to get the sale price.
+1- Great selections of soaps and soap ends for sale by the pound.
+1- Amazing beer and wine selection for the size of the grocery store. -
Review from Carla R.
Portland, OR
10/27/2009
Alberta Co-op was one of my first grocery shopping experiences when I relocated here a little over a month ago. The bulk section is massive and I can find just about anything I need there. They carry great coffee and the produce selection is decent. The staff has always been super friendly and helpful to me. Its not my #1 spot to fill up my kitchen, but when I need something quick and easy (I'm in the neighborhood), this is usually my first stop.
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Review from Adrienne A.
Portland, OR
3/7/2009
Alberta Co-Op is a precious place. For those of us in the neighborhood, it's about convenience- being able to go pick up some salt/flour/whatever without having to trek all the way to Fred's or New Seasons. And yeah, it's definitely got that hippie vibe (and smell). But the people who work here are unfailingly friendly, the bulk items are great, and there's always some interesting product that I would've never thought of (quinoa macaroons?)
