Food Front Cooperative Grocery

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. more

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. Pros: relaxed atmosphere, good selection for a small store Cons: all the petitioners out front are a**holes, except for the Street Roots guy more

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.) Pros: A vibrant locally owned grocery store, that has a heart! Cons: Not every employee is as passionate about good food as some. more

the staff at this store gets paid barely more than minimum wage and alot less than the staff at a corporate store like new seasons. Pros: local food, awesome deli Cons: wading thru the sea of trophy wives and douche-y rich dudes more

I used to really love this place, but lately, the service has been surly and the prices have been NUTS. Like, two days ago it was $4.99 a pound for tomatoes. Their bananas and basic produce is often either in short supply or not ripe, or totally unavailable. They are EXTREMELY STINGY with bags, which I find a little sad since they are easily one of the most expensive groceries in town. They have a classic holier than thou independent attitude.... it's always the customers fault when they ask for something that isn't there...I used to go here to support community, but these people really don't support back. Their Co-Op membership is $150....too much money for us! The point is, if they don't offer down home service and they don't care THAT much about the community they serve, then you might as well go to Zupan's or Whole Foods....especially since the prices since mid-2007 have been more or less the same. And Zupan's has fresher produce. I don't know what this place is for, but I think they've really lost the plot. Pros: Near where we live, open late, often less crowded than Whole Foods Cons: Slacker staff, crazy fluctuations in prices, bad produce manager. more

Food Front has the best produce in the area. It is all organic and always fresh and delicious. We go there as much as possible when we need fresh fruits or vegetables. more

by far the best deli in the NW area. so healthy, reasonable prices and options beyond the size of my stomach. so happy to have a true ""neighborhood"" location. great wine buys too !!! Pros: unique items, organic, outside seating more