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Categories: Health Markets, Grocery [Edit]
Neighborhood: Santa MonicaMon-Sun. 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
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Co-opportunity is like a down-to-earth version of Whole Foods. Lots of the same fun natural food, home and beauty product brands, but less of the fancy schmancy stuff.
Faves there: La Brea bread, the natural essential oil collection and the natural lotions and soap selection.
I wish the deals there were as good as TJ's, but that's pretty much impossible. They try to make up for it by having some great sales scattered around the store.
When I can't make it to the farmers markets in the area, I know I can rely on the Co-op for my produce. You do not have to be a member to shop here. The dry foods, packaged foods and sundries are all pricey, so I do that shopping elsewhere.
However, the produce is great quality and the prices are reasonable. The produce at Trader Joe's is not great, and this is a nice alternative. The bulk bins are fun to explore.
Joined a couple of years ago, since I live a couple blocks from here. They have a pretty good selection of better for you foods and HBA. The thing I enjoy most is the water, we can fill our 5 gallon counter dispenser with 5 level filtration (including UV light filtration) for $1.50, versus the nearly $10 bucks a bottle from a leading delivery service (which we cancelled when the economy tanked) for just plain spring water.
I like the neighborhood feel, since it's my neighborhood...the prices are lower than some other more notorious good for you grocery stores as well. Their produce is pretty nice, the service is pretty nice, and you do get a dividend check every once in awhile according to your purchases if you're a member. You don't have to be a member to shop there, you just don't get the sale prices (not that much cheaper anyhow....)
Oh, and park on the street if you can, their lot is an accident waiting to happen....I don't know what it is, but these whole foods hippie types are clueless in a car...very self centered so watch out! (I am not a member of their club officially LOL)
If I die and go to hell, I'm sure it looks like the parking lot of Co-Opportunity. If you're in the market for a soul-crushing parking experience, please try to find parking in this treacherous lot the day before Thanksgiving. If I live to be a 105, I will not likely forget the day when I almost pulled my car to the side, jumped out, ripped my clothing off, and ran screaming from the premises--Tofurkey cranberry dumplings be damned!
Aside from my traumatic parking experiences, this is a fine grocery store. I only go here if I'm in search of a specific vegan item, and when I do I usually find it. I'd be an even bigger fan if they got a larger selection of frozen "meat" patties for sandwiches and burgers. I miss my vegan chik'n patties!
In general: way way too expensive for everyday shopping... maybe even for weekly shopping. I'll stick to Whole Foods, or, if the economy doesn't improve, local dumpsters.
$46 for a jar of pistachio nut butter??? What??
I mean, ok. I know you can't find pistachio nut butter at your local Ralphs/Pavilions/Safeway/etc but seriously WHO buys that?
I really wanted to adore this store and I think if I had more discretionary income that a huge portion of it would be spent here...but I don't so it doesn't and I probably won't be shopping here much until I snag a better job that will afford me luxuries such as this.
I actually wanted to try a good 75-80% of the inventory but my pocketbook only supported the purchase of some organic soymilk, a couple soy probiotic drinks (actually these weren't a bad deal at under $2 a pop...I tried pomegranate and blueberry), and some of the juices that were on sale for $2.69. The frozen section looked goooooood with all kinds of vegetarian options (I had my eye on those taquitos in about 5 different flavors ALL 100% vegetarian) as well as individually packaged meats.
I've read reviews here about how the employees are kind of snooty and pretentious but the checkout guys last night were anything but...they were really nice and joking around with us and talking to us about random things. Very friendly! The Co-op promotes the use of reusable bags but if you don't bring your own bags with you they have heavy plastic bags they give you that you can reuse about 5 more times!
I hear you do get a big chunk of change back at the end of the year if you're a member so I am all for getting a membership...some day...hopefully in the not too distant future.
This place is a good place to look for healthy and organic food. I used to buy all my soy milk here until my coworker told me that soy produces estrogen that will cause me to grow.. boobs. Stopped buying that ever since but haven't stopped coming here. I buy fruits, cereal and orange juice here. Have to admit they don't have as much as Whole Foods but it's walking distance for me so that wins automatically.
F-Whole Paycheck and F-Trader Blows, this is where it is at.
They don't advertise this, because they want you to join out of the kindness of your heart (or rather your conviction for the premise), but when you become a member you get coupons for groceries that are worth more than the membership itself (I forget the exact numbers, but it was a pleasant surprise).
Some of their produce is actually priced lower than at the Farmer's Markets and are of equal quality/freshness. They have a good selection of wines, raw foods, prepared foods (predominately hot), and health/beauty products aside from your standard super market foodstuffs.
If you are veggie, then make sure you grab some non-soy meat substitute products by "Quorn" there are varieties available here that aren't found at Whole Foods, etc. They also have vegan shrimp, fish, and other fake meats that places like "California Vegan" serve. Above all, the expensive, but delectable products from the "Field Roast Grain Meat Co." are addictive and only seem to be available here.
Having grown up in an area which had depressing supermarkets the likes of which Otto worked at in "Repo Man", or tiny markets specializing in beer and beef w/ 56% fat content, when I first moved out of the sticks I was pretty stunned at the presence of places such as Trader Joe's and Whole Foods and supermarkets that were actually pretty decent. And then when I moved to L.A., I was blown away by the array of year-round farmer's markets. And then I started exploring the other options: Nature Mart, Locali, and now the Co-op in Santa Monica.
The Co-op is absolutely fantastic. No way around that. They have a huge selection with very reasonable prices, focusing on organics of course, as well as meat alternatives, veggie and vegan food, and so on. Their bin section rivals Nature Mart's, they have a deep selection of many of the brands that I really dig (cf. Field Roast), and their deli is small but with an exceptionally interesting selection.
Also, the other weekend we purchased an egg-and-wheat free chocolate cake of some sort that just blew my goddamn mind. It's pretty hard to make a decent cake missing those two elements, but this was pretty incredible.
Yeah, parking is a bitch sometimes. Maybe the staff could be seen as having an attitude. Maybe it's a little pricier. Those are red herrings. This is a great store. And unlike the excellent Locali and Nature Mart, this is the sort of store where you can get all your shopping done in one fell swoop. Not that I would, I'm a fiend for the farmer's markets too...
Co-opportunity has a great selection of Bulk Organic Spices and Herbs, so I can buy small amounts. Awesome!
The Bulk grains section is another favorite.
Nice produce selection, with many local organic items.
The deli has fresh juices, and a nice hot plate special.
Parking is tough, and street parking comes with high probability of a parking ticket. I avoid the Co-Op during peak holiday shopping times.
Anyone care for...
...Master cleanse? Fat Flush? Veganism? Botox? Nip and Tuck? Acid Peel?
We still haven't discovered The Fountain of Youth.
So instead, we do our best either through cosmetic surgery or the more natural homeopathic way: living a healthy active "drug-free" lifestyle. Co-opportunity exists for the latter. This local socially responsible market in Santa Monica is a great place to "turn back the clock" and reverse the devastation that 20 years of partying has done to your body!
As the name suggests, consumers may pay $25 annually for 8 years or roughly $2 a month for membership. The benefits are extrinsic (30% discounts on sale items) and intrinsic (supporting farmers and companies devoted to sustainable best practices). This place makes Whole Foods seem like an imposter with its authenticity.
They have one of the most extensive and impressive vitamin and herbal supplement sections in all of LA. Their produce is all organic of course. Their prepared foods section has vegan options. The deli carries no-salt turkey for those on a no-salt diet. In short, this is the place to shop if you want to nourish your mind and body with healthy fuel.
As always, there will be the occasional annoying tree-hugger type or the sighing West Side Blonde (not that I have anything against Blondes!) that came from Yoga or Pilates. It's still worth shopping at Co-opportunity.
My favorite place to be. This organic/ holistic co-opportunity has all the amazing beautiful things you can't get everywhere. Local food and small productions of healthy to go food.
The deli is okay. Personally I'd like to redo the entire menu at the deli. Bring in more vegetable dishes. Everything they do is either a potato or a pasta. The soups are delicious.
The best part about the market is the wholesale bins, vitamins, macrobiotics, holistic medicine and the beauty products.
I got about $50 buck back at the end of the year since my 1099 said I spent about $3,200 bucks.
Just wish the parking lot was a little bigger which means the actual market should be a tad bigger too.
Even with all it's quirks I still love love to go here every single day.
I've been meaning to join the co-op for a while. Finally got around to it last week, and they happened to be having a membership drive.
I gave them $30 to become a member. It's a $25 a year-thing, but with a one time $5 processing fee. Then I received my $10 gift card for the store. Just like money, folks. That day I only did 'fake shopping' because they gave me a coupon book of about $40 worth of free food and staples coupons. Almost every item was something I needed, wanted, or was curious to try, so I over-filled my basket, paid for nothing and out the door I went... with the nice reusable bag they gave me for becoming a member.
I'm going to use the gift card in the next few days, when I do all of my 'bulk shopping' of dry goods and staples. Seems that twice a year they declare a Membersip Appreciation Month. That's when on any one day that month, you let the cashier know that it's 'your day,' thus receiving 10% off (15% if you're a senior) your one load of groceries, for up to $10 off.
So in the next few days, I'll buy $100 worth of groceries for $90 to make the most of their 10% off deal, use the $10 gift card as well. And I'll do this twice a year when they declare their Membership Appreciation Months.
At the end of the year, when profitable, as a member, you receive a profit check - pending on how much you have spent there. I dig. Incentive to shop their first to find what you need.
Now for the store itself. I've only been to a co-op once before, which was in D.C., and it resembled something more like someone's unfinished basement. The Santa Monica Co-op is quite a large store! It's clean and easy to navigate around the different sections. They seem to have everything. The employees were so nice to me! It was as if I were a guest in their home. Wow, I'm impressed. Guess this is what happens when a members-owned market has succeeded since the '70s. I'm pleased to contribute to this system. Feels good.
I'm going to try and buy everything that I like first at this Co-op, and then head over to Rainbow Acres for their homemade chips that are like none other and a few other deli items that I'm hooked on, and then hit Whole Foods only every blue moon for their kale salad or great variety of olives.
I don't even live that close to the co-op, but I'm often in the area for my yoga classes, so it's easy to pop over on my way home (sweat-saturated, blissed-out and all). They are open 7 days a week from 7am- 10pm.
Finally, they have Co-op events, classes, tastings and other stuff that are either free, or are discounted to members. Lots of 'green' classes. They have a bulletin board with members listings for services, jobs, housing -- though I'm new here, it seems that a community feel has been established at this place.
Check it out: http://www.cooportunit... It seems like a great place to support healthier foods of all sorts.
Best Grocery store ever!!
They have very fresh organic fruits and vegetables and not pricy.
If you became a member, you can buy good stuff with sale price.
They also have natural, organic cosmetics and homeopathy items.
Very recommended!
My roommate calls me a santa monica hippie for shopping at co-oppotunity and that's fine with me! Great local grocery store!
They have a wall of various healthy munchies that are available per the pound. I am a fan of the wasabi almonds!
Their deli is pretty good too...love the vegetable cous cous and the sushi isn't half bad either.
I think it's pretty affordable when you just can't live of off whole foods all the time.
You can sign up to be a member for a year for like $30 which they will offer many coupons...if you're an avid coupon swiper...this is for you! Me on the other hand....i am not...so as of today I am not a a member.....but you will all be first to know when i do! ;)
NAME: The Co-Opportunity
TYPE OF PRODUCT OR SERVICE: Organic foods and health stuff of all sorts
ADDRESS: 1525 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90404
PHONE: 310-451-8902
GENERAL LOCATION: On the northeast corner of 16th and Broadway
HOURS: Daily, 7 am-10 pm
DELIVERY SERVICE: No
WEBSITE: http://www.coopportuni.../
REVIEW: There was a time years back when I did *all* my food shopping at the Co-Op. I had business in Santa Monica at least four times a week, so it made sense to do my food runs there. They have the largest selection of organic produce of anywhere I know of, including the largest of the Whole Foods markets. They're in a modern place right now, but I was shopping there when they had a wonderfully funky place across the street. It had lousy parking, but was much more fun to shop!
I'm still a member, and if I happen to be in Santa Monica and need food, I still go there. The prices, unfortunately have had to go way up (competition from Whole Foods and other reasons), so I go there rarely now, because of that and because I live in WeHo. But if *you* live around there and are concerned for the quality of your food and have the scratch to pay their prices, it is *the* place to go.
PAYMENT: Cash, CC (If you're a member, you get discounts.)
PARKING SITUATION: They have a larger lot than before, but you might still have to park on the streets when they're crowded.
RED FLAG: Just the prices
I joined the Co-op soon after I moved to Santa Monica in 1998. Since then, I don't go to the farmers markets as much. They have great organic produce and yummy prepared foods. If you don't want to deal with the attitude found at most raw restaurants, you can stock up here too.
Whole Foods-no thanks. Support local businesses!
The Co-op is everything that Whole Foods used to be. Or at least its independent and doesn't rape you financially because something is "organic". I don't do all of my food shopping here (Trader Joe's is also good for certain things) but I absolutely love this place.
Its the only place that I know of where you can buy herbs in bulk. You can also buy other items like pasta, rice, sweet goodies, cereal, coffee etc in bulk which saves you on cost and doesn't tax our environment with the production of packaging.
The juice bar is my favorite!! They have wonderful juices and the deli makes awesome healthy organic sandwiches.
I support the Co-op because its one of the only places left that is owned by us, the locals. I don't think that Whole Foods should have a monopoly on organic living do you? Have you been to Whole Foods lately where you spend $50 for one bag of food?
Support the small places and keep the Co-op open.
I don't go there enough to justify the membership. Out of curiosity I visited the store and yup, I PAID through my nose! I would definitely stick to Whole Foods, it's not any cheaper but I don't need to be a member. Shoppin gat Whole Foods id more fun - big, bright and buzzing.
After shopping here for the last year, I have grown appreciate Co-opportunity. The staff skillfully answers all of my questions, no matter what area of the store, or how clueless i am.
I don't do the majority of my shopping here, but do find it great for bulk items, vitamins, and meat alternatives.
For those of you who have ever been to the co-op grocery stores in San Francisco, don't have that in… Read more »
I really like coopportunity. Great organic produce, and bulk bins. I shop both here and at whole foods in West LA. It's interesting because some things at whole foods are way more expensive than coopportunity, while other times it's the opposite situation. As such, I make both stores a part of my regular shopping route.
I love the Santa Monica Co-Op. It's the only store in a several mile radius of my apartment where I can stock up on all my vegan essentials while NOT contributing to corporate American slime balls ( *cough* Whole Foods *cough* ). I'm feeling divinely inspired this morning and decided to compose a love poem in it's honor...
When I walk into the Co-Op,
I'm always greeted with a smile.
I ride my bike there, not my car
because Santa Monica yuppies drive wild!
You sell Kombucha,
and it's on sale.
You always have a copious amount
of purple kale.
The bulk bins even have ginger chews and TVP...
Santa Monica Co-Op, you're the store for me.
But seriously, as much as I do love the Co-Op, the parking lot is maddening. It's the only reason I'm giving it 4 stars. The spots are too small, and no one watches before speeding into the lot or backing out. It's the only negative thing about it. Park on the street if you can...it's worth the 30 cents.
If you shop there frequently enough, the $30 membership is definitely worth it. You not only earn the purchased share back quickly in members-only sales, but receive a check at the end of the year because you own part of the co-op :)
I wish i lived closer to this store!
could SM Co-op trade places with Erewhon? please?
seriously - this place took everything i hated about erewhon and made it right. i really can't explain why... but i felt less intimidated here... and the whole membership (co-op) thing sounds like a wonderful concept... i wouldn't join since it's not practical for me - i rarely venture west of the 405...
but they did have grass-fed meats, which i've been seeking out for the past couple of weeks...
not much of a review here - i just got back from my chiropractor's and i was in the funkiest cloud at the time... and this sweet guy came up to me before he left to ask me if i was married or had a b/f... said something to the effect that he hopes he runs into me again and perhaps by then my current guy will have been struck by lightning or hit by a car or got a brain tumor (his actual quotes here)... okay...
So why does everyone but me love this place? It's beyond me. The parking is useless and the staff attitude I've encountered was condescending. I've considered membership because the concept is healthy but can't follow through based on my less than healthy feelings after shopping. How I spend my dollars is significant.
I love this place for their raw food selection alone! Dang, it's like they found every raw food distributor this side of the rockies and put all their products in one humongoid display case. Who cares that a kale "burrito" is $15? Well...actually, I do..That's why I don't come to Coop as often as I'd like. But when I do have the cash flow to support my raw/healthy habits, I come here and feel like a kid in a candy store.
It's my fault, you see...for my expectations were a bit high (damn you for spoiling me Davis Co-Op..). Their meat selection wasn't all that fantastical (by this I mean way beyond minimal..all of it pre-packed and CRAZY over priced) and I did not see any seafood. Their produce department was modest as was their selection of cheese (though both were lovely). Their strengths would have to be the bulk departments (foods, coffee, herbs/flowers.. but rather limited in their selection of bulk teas...), their raw and vegan friendly foods, and their supplements/body care products. Would I come here again? Yes, but probably just for hard to find specialty items (Ala Organic Butterscotch Pudding and the like).
Prices are almost identical to Whole Foods but you get certain perks as a member (lower prices on certain items and you get to pick a day of the week to receive 10% off your purchases..plus you are a partial owner of the store and that is pretty nifty).
Love this market!! Great staff, great selection food, produce, bath and beauty products, supplements,etc. Staff is knowledgeable and helpful and they have good sales--even on Penta water!! I give it a 10! It is a little pricey but no more than Whole Foods or the Berkeley Bowl.
An independent grocery featuring organic & raw foods, now celebrating its 30th year in business. It's not necessary to join the co-op to shop there, but membership gives you a discount on purchases. There is a large selection of supplements & natural cosmetics. I was a regular at this great store when I lived in the area.
Update: 8/06:
Their selection of pre-pack raw foods just keeps growing. This store is an absolute jewel.
maybe i had high aspirations for the Co-op., but i was left kinda disappointed. They DID have tofurkey in stock (YAY) and some delicious pies i restrained from buying. The cosmetics girl was very nice and helpful but the rest of the staff were pretty forgetable. my veggie panini was not worth the $7 i paid for it, pretty blah even with the sun dried tomato on it (sadness!), i even threw some away and that is NOT like me at all.
the vegan carrot cake was really good and they carry stuff from Lydia's for u raw foodies. the deli area was pretty lively. this place will be a nuthouse next week when people get their grub for Thanksgiving.
Parking lot spaces are tiny, but if u want to be entertained, watch the fools try and park their Explorers- they have to squeeze between the cars just to get out. i was amused.
I dream of the day that I can finally answer, "Yes, yes, I am a member."
The Good:
It is my second favorite co-op ever. They have a great selection of just about everything for the picky vegetarian. They have many types of tempeh. They also have Uncle Eddie's cookies in singles and in bags. They have a deli counter with pre-made goods. They have it all.
It also really does feel like a neighborhood grocery store. It is a perfect size, you can get in and out in 20 minutes with everything you need for the week. The staff are always very helpful and friendly.
The truth:
I can never find a parking spot at lunch time. The produce is so-so.
It's a small space if you're used to Whole Foods, but their grains and veggies are usually better priced. The frozen and refrigerated items -- milk, cheese, meat, etc.. -- are usually more expensive. Their fruit is never as fresh as I like.
Having said that, the staff is always friendly, and as a member, you can look forward to coupons, discounts, and rebates in the mail.
This store is a very nice alternative to Whole Foods. Co-Opportunity is the real deal when it comes to "whole foods". Whole Food Market is just a tad too corporate and sometimes only provides pseudo "whole" foods. Also Whole Foods doesn't provide attentive customer service like Co-Opportunity does.
You will not find the largest organic selection here, nor will you find the best prices. But you will find a competitive selection and decently competitive prices. For such a small store the variety is quite surprising.
Their raw foods section is larger than at Whole Foods and although their beer fridge here is tiny in comparison to Whole Foods, this place has better beer! They also have a great organic wine selection. The deli is small but again, the food is more appetizing than at Whole Foods. The deli section at Whole Foods sometimes looks like you're at a Boston Market. This place is the real deal.
Good bulk section, great "holistic" cosmetics and body products sections (no parabens etc.)
This place overall is a winner when you want to avoid corporatized "health" food.
I've been a member for about 20 years. They've changed locations, grew & now offer more than ever.
In their bulk bins, I like the curried cashews, the tamari almonds, figs & raisins.
The staff in the deli can be extra nice or apathetic. Depends on who is available to help you. My favorite dish in the deli section is soy ginger chicken. The lentil & split pea soups are good too. I make it a habit of asking for a taste to see how fresh it is. One time i had a piece of metal in my garlic penne. Another time I spotted mold on another item while it was on display in the deli case.The lady behind the counter expressed her sincere gratitude. Oh, the quinoa black bean salad is another scrumptious entree.
Sometimes they have cooking classes for a nominal fee. Check @ the front desk. I've been to some memorable ones. In fact, 2x I went where it was held @ The WRiGHT property (related to Frank Lloyd Wright). There was an outdoor kitchen sprawled under an oak tree. Spectacular view overlooking Malibu.
The feature I like best about being a member here is that I can order a case of something & receive a discount (even more so when it's on sale). They also carry veggie items not found elsewhere.
This place is really good. Parking is easy-either in lot or street. Granted a membership will cost thirty dollars. They give you two bags, free items coupon book, and two membership cards. I gave one to gf. They send you a rebate check in the mail at end of the year depending on the amount you spend. The orange juice I bought was incredibly good. I also bought some fresh seitan which is hard to find. I think this is the best health food store in the city.
This place is smaller than it looks from the outside. But I will be buying most of my produce here from now on, since pretty much ALL of their produce is organic! Which is very nice because when I go to Whole Foods, there's always certain items that I'm looking for which they do not offer as organic. As the weird guy in the straw hat trying to push vegan cheese in a tube to me said, "don't panic! it's organic!" Prices are definitely competitive as well... some prices are lower than at WF.
They have a large nutrition/beauty product side. Although I found it sorta disorganized, which made it harder to find what I was looking for.
Less chaotic than Whole Foods (I'd like to keep my heels, thank you), the Coop the easy to get in and out and feels like a neighborhood store. They have everything - premade meals, organic produce, health & beauty, deli, etc.
I shop the Coop primarily for organic produce in between farmer's markets. All the produce is organic, as opposed to at WF, where most of the produce is not organic, and it's all to convenient to forget that when you are shopping there.
I have been here 1 time when I lived in Santa Monica. They had his brand that I saw at Trader joes. It was Dr Praegers(spelling) It was a salmon burger. I actually dont think they make it anymore. I have to go here again when I am in the area.
I thought at first that I couldn't like this market as much as I like Mother's in Costa Mesa, but it has now won me over 3 fold. I became a member, which is very worth it, I joined the first week of January and have already saved 1/2 the cost of the $30 membership fee. Today I used 1/2 the coupons in the "new members coupons" book and that alone saved me $11. I love the staff here, I find them all to be very helpful, and hands-down SO much nicer than the staff at Mother's. Everyone seems to have pride in what they're doing at the Co-opportunity. I really love the bulk-bins, they have everything... I like the local fruits and vegetables and I noticed someone say that their selection can be limited, but I would rather be a bit limited if I know I'm buying in-season and local. I typically come here mid-morning when it's not very crowded and the parking is easier. I went to Whole Foods the other day for the first time since I moved to Santa Monica, and I was astonished how much more expensive it was for lesser quality. It's like picking Starbucks over the coffee at Amelia's on Main street... I honestly don't relate why people would choose the bigger more expensive shop over the smaller, better quality one- but then again I guess the people who prefer Whole Foods may not get why people love the Co-op. P.S. I love the juice bar!
I cannot believe this but here goes: my first review and it's for some kind of hippie den!
Really, I grew up in the Santa Cruz mountains. My parents had a "waterpipe" for a stickshift in their haas avocado colored beetle. We grew our sprouts in the shade of a great grove of redwoods on the roof of our ancient thatched roof shack. For real, we did go to "Co-ops" up there in Nor-Cal and they used to be more into nut-grinding than bean grinding. I am not talking like Hillary-on-Bill-style carping but you would literally put some cashews or almonds or brazil nuts into the grinder and out squirted your own custom nut butter (which you probably should have an environmentally low impact container to receive). Hell, some crazies even used peanuts! But I digress. Where was I? Let's see: nuts, sprouts, co-ops, hippies, oh yeah, I just discovered that the Santa Monica Co-Op is just around the corner and down the street from my new(ish) digs.
Why the late in life consideration after so much jaded cynicism?
Weird how that old musk smells like home. Thing is, this co-op (and I have been to a ton of them) doesn't actually hang in the air with the stench of patchoulli.
There's more:
Truth is, I am there because I googled my neighborhood (yeah, so I work hard and have no life), knowing that it is rich with resources, I am sick of my almost-40 spare tire and looking to eat better and I can't face another Vons. So, I am trying to be a good exerciser and ride my bike over there in the dark. Get this, there is a bike lane - yeah, you heard right, a bike lane on Broadway, in the Los Angeles region, no less - and, get this too, there is a bike rack there. First impressions mean a lot. I mean, a lot of times, you SHOULD read a book by it's cover. This place never seems overcrowded. The parking lot has spaces on a not too crowded street and on the lot facing the street (easy to get in and out) - this is anomalous for Santa Monica. It is in direct contradistinction from any other "health food" market my ass has been dragged into in all of LA. And really, what are those other "health food" markets other than a few bulk bins? I lock er up and go in.
The thing about it is it is really quite chill. Not like the freakin refrigeration section is way hardcore or one of those fans blow in your face when the doors open. No, more like it doesn't feel like "entertainment architecture" (see Aaron Betsky, c. 1995) like so-called Whole Foods. I can roll in there and grab some things and get out easily. No fuss. Kind of like the feel of the dive bars before all the hipsters showed up, homey, you know?
In Conclusion:
A few sweet points:
:::The produce is good, not too exotic but reasonably varied, unwaxed and mostly organic. In some cases, there are slightly cheaper unorganics adjacent.
:::The prices are not all green or Santa Monica-ey on you. Bananas can be had for 69 coppers a pound. Sure, it might not be as cheap as Vons (even though Vons ain't exactly cheap) to buy a can of soup but there are trade-offs. Like, consider buying your cereal out of a bin instead of a box and you will probably come out even.
:::I cannot recommend highly enough - I have missed this since I came down from San Francisco - they have a small stash of high quality Niman Ranch meats. I have had the most delicious pork chops and chicken from there...
:::Lastly (didn't I already promise to conclude earlier), one special unexpected pleasure: very few DoucheBags. Yes, I will admit it, I have been reading of the bountiful Santa Monica DoucheBags. Apparently, douchebags and their accompanying douchebaggery run rampant in Santa Monica. Hey, don't shoot the messenger here, I am only paraphrasing what I have been reading from very reliable resources. Anyhow, there is no scene here at the Co-Op. No stroller hurdling, nor elbow wrassling the Marina singles (oh, sorry, that is an SF reference but probably works here - in fact, we call em bridge and tunnel people up there). Just a good enough place with a comfortable sized group of local homies buying some grub and receiving pretty great service. You can't really ask for much more than that from a market.
Why only 3 stars? Come on, it is just a market!
Good selection of stuff for all of us vegetarians and fans of alternative-ish foods. Great selection of meat substitutes and produce, some very good (if not a wee tad pricey) to-go meals from various vegetarian and vegan kitchens in the LA area, and great bulk foods. There's also a nifty community board; some very interesting and valuable services and goods are posted up.
WHEAT-FREE (WF) items:
1. The No-Cookie Brownies found on the other side of the bulk section! so friggin' good!
2. Jinou Edible Art: wowza!! In the raw food case behind the cashiers you will find other wheat-free items. My latest find is the Trois Freres or the 3 Brothers Walnut Cake made with Rice flour. Another product Jinou makes is a pastry which hails from Lorraine, France. You can find this one in front of the deli case.
ENVIRO-CENTRIC (EC): provides local, organic produce and good selection of environmentally friendly cleaning products.
I have officially made the Co-op my grocery store of choice. No more skipping around town from Trader Joe's to Wild Oats. They've got everything I need, plus I'm an owner (that's what a co-op is, you pay a yearly fee of $30 to become a member--see website for more info)! And I get special discounts because I'm a member. You don't need to be a member to shop there, but you miss out on the perks.
Things I love about the Co-op:
1. their rotisserie chicken is moist and juicy and never disappoints.
2. 85% of their produce is organic
3. they're a part of the local economy, they support human health and the environment
4. the fresh juice bar!
5. Amazing no-wheat brownies that no one else in town sells
6. super duper cosmetics/toiletries department stock full of more natural, clean products
7. the bulk section is the most extensive on the westside with things like dried persimmons, tamari almonds, quinoa flour, and about 20 different cereal mixes.
8. the other day they actually had burdock root in their produce section. i'm an herb nut, so i was extra-special thrilled about this. tried it sauteed!
9. They offer free weekly classes on a variety of topics. Usually on Monday nights.
and 10. Ken, an acupuncturist on staff who suggested products outside of the store's inventory because he thought they would be more helpful to me.
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
Category: Health Markets
Los Angeles, CA
Category: Health Markets
Malibu, CA
Category: Grocery
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
Category: Grocery
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
Category: Grocery
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