New Pioneer Co-op

I was very surprised by the passive aggression I received from a cashier at the co-​op today. I just stopped in to grab a few items for dinner, and when I asked the cashier where I should put my basket, her response was «How about back where it came from?» This strikes me as weird, rude, and definitely unusual for a grocery store (isn’t there usually a spot by the register?) On top of that, she grilled me about why I asked for a bag for my groceries, and condescended to me about being wasteful. It’s one thing to charge customers for bags… I understand the merits of reusable bags and I’m ok with paying ten cents if I forget one. This was a different story altogether. I’m not interested in getting lectured while I shop for groceries, and if that’s what I’m in for when I ask for one (1!) bag at the co-​op, count me out. I would add that throughout this exchange the cashier referred to me as «Hun” – this is like the female equivalent of «buddy», and not, I don’t think, a polite way to address a customer.
Other cashiers at the co-​op have usually been helpful in the past. Hopefully this was a fluke…

We are on the road. It’s sweltering and we have been eating greasy holiday weekend junk food all weekend.
Let me tell you– this is such a delicious, welcome alternative to fast food or a slimy subway sandwich.
The coffee is sublime– they have a raspberry sweetener that is glorious.
You can get a really healthy, hearty sandwich with innovative condiments (carrot spread, pesto, spicy jalapeño cashew tahini spread) great ingredients– nitrate free bacon, turkey and magnificent bread.
I bought coconut Popsicles– so refreshing.
I devoured a cup of carrots with the fore-​mentioned spicy jalapeño cashew tahini spread– which I posted the empty cup– because no, couldn’t hold back and take a single snapshot before eating it all!
So yeah, delicious, creative, good for you and no road stomach pains or regrets. Go here, eat well.

I have shopped at New Pi for about three years. There are two problems with this store: 1) the prices on grocery items and prepared foods are very high, 2) most of the cashiers are not friendly and not helpful. They don’t seem to express any appreciation for their customers.
Thankfully, Lucky’s Market is now open (in the Sycamore Mall) and I can purchase all of my organic items there! Plus the staff at Lucky’s seem to be very friendly!

As 22 year long IC resident, I have enjoyed the coop for many years. It carries great products and is close to downtown which is nice. Overall the store is great but one facet continues to frustrate me: the cashiers.
I have been there multiple times standing in line behind a customer who knows the cashiers and they will gossip and chat for what seems like forever, and then the cashier will look at me as if I’m interrupting their catch-​up. It’s not much to ask to not have my time wasted. Chit chat on your own time, or let me go through then finish when there’s no line to hold up. This has happened countless times over the years. The cashiers seem to value the social atmosphere over customer service.
Today was yet another extremely frustrating experience, one that severely soured my opinion of the co-​op. I noticed that some pasta salad had a sticker on it that read «BUY ONE GET ONE» so I took advantage of this deal which I had never seen there before and got two pasta salads. I got to the register and the cashier gave me an irritated look. «I don’t know about this deal.» She looked at me accusingly as if she thought I had brought the stickers from home to con them out of $ 3.00 of pasta salad. «I’ve never seen this, wait here.» She left in a snit with complete disregard for my time. She asked another employee and they confirmed that it was a new special, two for one, and said to ring up only one of them and give me the other for free. The cashier returned and scanned the rest of my groceries. Then I noticed she rang up both salads. «Excuse me, but you rang up both. One is free.» «No I didn’t.» «I can see it on the monitor, can you please remove it?» Then she gave me a look of contempt and let out an obnoxious *sigh* as if I was inconveniencing her out of spite or something. Extremely unprofessional and rude. New Pi would be perfect with a self-​checkout.

I know this is a community gem and there are so many reasons why I should give it more stars but I have to be honest to my personal experiences here, so hear me out!
This coop is bike-​able but it’s on one of the more dangerous roads. Parking is a beast — there are literally five parking stalls and the rest is metered parking, but that’s always full. So despite being more dangerous, biking is easier for this location.
The other thing I’ve been pretty bummed about is the quantity of local goods this coop has. I’ve been an owner-​member at several other coops around the nation (The Wedge, Seward, Ozark Natural Foods, and Oneota) and I’ve had the hardest time finding a diverse selection of locally-​sourced items at New Pioneer. wa-​wahhhh. There’s a decent representation in the produce department but so many other things could also be sourced locally — such as kombucha and wellness items like bar hand soaps. Also, the meat department. It’s so hard to find fresh local meat — especially chicken. whyyy?
It’s a humble little spot with great proximity to College Green Park, the Farmer’s Market, and the Downtown District, but I always leave craving locally-​raised chicken and a less life-​threatening bike route.

I love this Co-​Op,
It’s the perfect size! Not to huge, not to small! They have everything this little old vegan would desire to eat at any time! Including great soups, deli items, bakery goods, and of course a killer section of produce, bulk, and packaged goods!
The staff is fantastic and knowledgeable! I love the outdoor seating area! They have bike parking, and lots of car parking, as well as a parking garage across the street!
They have everything you would find at Whole Foods, and the prices are comparable! So why go big when you can shop local! Also you can become a member and get even groovier deals!
I try to stop here every time I am in town!

Anyone who dares complain about this place/​say that Whole Foods is better needs a serious reality check. Sorry, I’m not usually this aggressive in Unilocal reviews, but anyone that lives in the vicinity of New Pioneer is immensely lucky. Whole Foods is great, sure, but it it so overpriced I have no words. Plus, there is very little they offer that New Pioneer does not have. I also firmly believe that New Pioneer has a fresher fruit and veggie section,
Having lived in numerous metropolitan areas, this is the top of the top. Each year into adulthood, I am understanding more and more why my parents picked Iowa City as a place to have a family.
Why is New Pioneer so awesome, you ask?
1. Well, first, there is more than one location. Each offers something slightly different in terms of deli selection but they consistently have amazing pre-​prepared meals.
2. There is an absolutely great liquor selection at both of the stores. SCORE.
3. Want some deliciousness in bulk? Look no further.

I ran in here to get some last minute flowers & a quick meal during the intermission of a performance of «An Irish Christmas» at the Englert Theatre. The guy working the door at the theatre suggested it might be the only place with fresh flowers that would be open after 9pm on a Tuesday night. After walking a couple of blocks, I wandered inside the Co-​Op & found a pre-​made deli wrap. With dinner settled, I made my way to the front of the store to figure out the flower situation.
The lady working the cash register was immensely patient and helped me decide on the colors for the flowers, since they are sold individually. The store had wrapping paper that neither of us could figure out how to use properly, but after making a quick trip to the deli area she came back w/​some twine that she tied into a delightful bow around the flowers. She offered to cut the stems while I practiced how to hold the flowers properly.
I managed to make it back to the theatre in the knick of time & the ad-​hoc floral arrangement was a great success!

This is the best grocery store i have ever been to… hands down. Awesome people, awesome food, and everything stays within the community. America!

This location is much more ‘hipster’ than the 2^nd St,. location in Coralville. Either way, the goods are still the same and I love the store just as much. This location is much smaller and more difficult to shop, but worth checking out (⁴⁄₅ stars for ease of shopping).

New Pioneer is the best! On top of being a great grocery store with lots of local produce and products (and a great bulk item section), they have absolutely amazing sandwiches and other grab-​and-​go foods that are delicious. My favorites are the Cashew on a Hot Tin Roof sandwich, their dolmas, and their pizza. They have lots of great vegan and vegetarian options. They’re also a wonderful caterer! They catered our wedding and were fantastic. Everyone loved the food!

LOVE THIS PLACE! Best tofu salad, and looking forward to the kale and beer salads we tried! Great people, great stuff!

If you can afford the price tag this is the closes thing to Whole Foods in IC.

Go here for the bread, cheese, produce, wine, grab-​n-​go items, and weekly specials. I buy my staples and non-​food items at HyVee as I just can’t afford to buy everything at the Co-​op. ~$ 60 gets you a lifetime membership which you can get back any time. That gets you shelf price. Non-​members will pay 5% extra. Members get a dividend check every 6 months? or so if you spend over $ 500.
I can’t get enough of the garlic lovers pasta, rock n roll avocado tofuwich, and the cashew on a hot tin roof sandwich.

Passing through last summer, stopped in here. The selection was pretty good, but SO SO SO expensive!

Nice store good selection of healthier items, a whole food types place. The target audience knows what to expect here, little pricey, stuff you can’t get at other stores, and a great shopping experience.

I’ll never forget the smell when you walk in — like a good hippie!
This places rocks. The produce is fresh and the ethic selections would make any chef happy. If you’re not cooking tonight the grab an gos are delish.
New Pioneer Co-​op is a true Iowa City gem.

The coop reminds me what it’s supposed to be like: small isles of delicious food, huge deli and produce selections. Yogurt.
While there has been an increase in prices, and I don’t like the bigger locations, I love the original, lovely, little shop. Parking is hard to find, but the area is nice, college centered and fun.
The prepared food is bomb! (but spendy) Also, the produce is showcased by location, which is amazing! I had an apple that was out of this world and from Iowa.

So far, After my move to Iowa City from California, I feel like a spoiled hipster in a midwest town. I was recommended New Pi, which is near my yoga studio and great for an alternative to fast food when I’m just too pooped to cook. Plus, cold vegan food is great when it’s a billion degrees of humid outside.
I did not appreciate the 5% INcrease in the pricey goods for non-​members when i first paid for them, or the surcharge for bags (Sorry, i didn’ t know!). Also, they get you with the hefty membership price and they had no idea what I meant when I asked about Co-​op boxes, as in, local farm fresh food that is picked up or delivered to you through a membership every few weeks. What kind of co-​op doesn’t know about farmers co-​ops? but I chocked this up to a different culture and I’m getting adjusted. I find the friendlier of the two is downtown, not coralville.
I ended up purchasing a membership because the food and quality is definitely better than the local farmer’s markets that I was so excited about, and I found myself there 3 times. I also am a bit of a wine snob and they have a good selection, and the organic milk and meat is not too bad vs other places. I’m hoping to let it (and it’s prices) grow on me in my attempt to eat fresh and healthful food this year.

Searching dried lavender is what I have been doing since I tried lavender lemonade at a recent farmer’s market outing.
Finding dried lavender I did at this Pioneer Co-​Op as well as some staples I can usually only find in Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s.
Can you be in lust with a grocery store?
I am such a fan I am anticipating trying the one in Coralville!