Food Front Co-Op Grocery

A gem. I love supplementing my grocery shopping with food from Food Front. I can't afford to buy everything here, nor do they have all that I want (I do my other shopping at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's), but the deli is usually pretty tasty and I like that they have local and organic items. Just bought eggs here and LOVE that they tell you where they various brands have come from, what the chickens were raised on, where they lived, and whether or not their beaks were cut off (sad, right?). It's the place I go to buy organic food that I feel good putting in my body and good when I think about how the food was grown (produce and meat and dairy).

That said, I always feel incredibly uncomfortable at the checkout stand. I love Whole Foods, TJoes, and Zupan's because the employees are all so friendly. At the co op, they're considerably less than friendly. I did have one issue with something I got from the deli, however, and had a truly wonderful exchange with the deli manager. But, overall, I always feel strangely like I'm inconveniencing both the deli workers who are getting me food and the cashiers.

No better, more convenient way to get food you feel good about, though. I'll keep coming back. If not for the service (it's not like I'm eating the service for dinner), then definitely for the organic, local and sustainable food.…

Veteran grocer brings co-op culture to the Northwest.. The clientele at this member-owned co-op goes beyond the Birkenstock-wearing demographic you’d expect to shop here. Rather, this small-size grocer attracts health nuts, gourmands and urban dwellers alike with a carefully-chosen selection of local produce and artisan products. Inside, produce bins teem with fresh fruit and veggies, a cheese and deli counter supplies fixings for an impromptu picnic, and a frozen food section offers picks for quick dinners. There’s also a well-edited wine selection, shelves stocked with household goods and pantry staples, and bulk bins filled with everything from whole wheat flour to chocolate covered pretzels.…

great neighborhood grocery store. deli makes delicious sandwiches. tempeh sandwich is really yummy. lots of vegan and vegetarian options. i always come here for a beer run, because of their variety of options to get my drink on. good bulk food selection, i like the soy jerkys and all the nuts and snacks. Bullring Salsa is awesome, as are the Mexisnack tortilla chips. perfect food for when i'm up late studying.…

The best grocery in Portland - Regret Free Shopping!. If you compare Food Front to New Seasons as just a regular grocery store, you are not doing it justice. This store is OWNED by people all over Portland - not just one family. That is so impressive and a powerful statement on a community level. All of the money made by the co-op goes back to the community and the 5,000 or so owners who have invested in it. (By the way, ownership is $150, which you can pay $5 a month, but that money is totally refundable if you even need or want it back. In being an owner, you get so many benefits.)

The thing I love about Food Front is its honesty. If you look around, you see people who genuinely believe in the cooperative business model, and who are passionate about their service to the community. I admit, there are a few employees who perhaps aren't the best at customer service, but others who are inspired and passionate to share what they know.

AND they have an amazing deli, great wine, awesome produce, and support many SMALL LOCAL BUSINESSES.

So what if something you purchase at Food Front is a quarter more than at Fred Meyer. You are supporting a local business who doesn't have the corporate buying power to buy 10,000 of that product. AND if you are an owner, you get money back at the end of the year based on your purchases... so you get your quarter back!…