New Orleans Food Co-op

They have all your health food needs for a trip in New Orleans. Kombucha, vegan chocolates, bulk foods and snacks and fresh produce. Its a nice walk from bourbon street and worth it.

The Co-​op is a great grocery option in the food desert of the Quarter /​Marigny /​Bywater. (This may be the first time the Quarter has been called a food desert — but living in the neighborhood and cooking at home most nights, to me it certainly feels that way.) I love having a grocery store I can walk to! Yes, the selection is not as great as Whole Foods or Rouses or Winn Dixie. And yeah, the produce is hit or miss. I do a lot of price comparisons since I typically hit 2 – 3 grocery stores or farmers markets on the weekend to stock up. From my one-​woman analysis of the products I buy on a weekly basis, I believe the co-​op prices are some of the lowest in town. Could definitely be improved with more staff — but keep up the good work, Co-​op! We’re happy to have you!

Came here twoce to grab groceries during my stay. There were not that many places we could find where we could get healthy ingredients. The only thing I was a bit sad about was the lack of fresh produce from local farms, they never seemed to have that much. Besides that, great place to have!!! Keep it up!

Despite the neighborhood, I totally expected this to be one of those snobby expensive for no reason markets, however, the coop is great. It caters to anyone regardless of class who is trying to be more conscious about what they put in their bodies. As far as pricing is concerned for non-​processed foods they are on par with what you might see at Whole Foods or even Hollygrove. The processed foods on the other are hand are extremely marked up.
As a gardener I love that the store carries seeds and compost. It also carries a plethora of beauty and home goods but I haven’t reached that level of consciousness yet and regularly use chemical filled cheapo Suave products.
The coop not only accepts SNAP/​EBT like any old grocery store they have a brochure which pretty much outlines how to work the system and get all the stuff for reasonable prices. If I lived in and shopped regularly in this area I would 100% become an owner ($ 100 per person). But I know I would not get my values worth because I would have to pass several other worthy stores to get to this location.
I would love to have one in the East. My husband believes that the East is more of a walmart crowd. Oh well. If you guys want an manager for the store in the East, hit me up. I would love to prove him wrong.

Great suprise to happen upon the coop — perfect addition to the neighborhood. Staff seemed earnest and eager to make it work, even if they are obviously not Whole Foods/​corporate veterans. Going to continue to give them the benefit of the doubt and business when in town.

I go here literally every day. The samples are fun and the selection is excellent. There are always multiple items on sale, and the reduced bin is the place to go for cheap produce.
A few things could be improved; namely, some of the employees clearly don’t care about health food or have any knowledge of it, they just complete their tasks with bored expressions. However, the prices are still on the reasonable end of high, the bulk section is big, and I’m just glad there’s finally a co-​op in New Orleans.

I can’t say I know much about co-op’s because this is the only one I’ve ever had the pleasure of shopping at. I will say that I love having the NOFC in my neighborhood and really appreciate the friendly staff. I don’t shop here exclusively due to prices and selection but it is GREAT to have these healthy items so close to home. I am a member and have been since the start up.

I loved this little co-​op. They had all the usual local, organic, bulk, eco-​friendly, and vegan-​friendly items you find in most co-​ops and natural food stores, plus a small prepared food area if you wanted fresh food to go. How convenient. Also, the girl checking me out was super friendly and pleasant.

People have one bad experience and it’s all over. I get it, stuff happens. We are humans and we get cranky and we have bad days and everything spins out of control, it will happen at the food co op, the coffee shop, your favorite restaurant when they hire a new waiter, Its a part of life. Bad reviews are a dime a dozen these days but do your research and you’ll find out that its not all that bad.
I’ve been coming to the co-​op twice a week for over a year now. I’ve never had an issue with overcharging due to a bad register, or bad attitude from employees, or feeling like I’ve been ripped off. I think the staff is super friendly. They have a great selection of items, and yes the prices are a little high but that’s the price you pay for organic products everywhere, Google it, compare it to wholefoods if you have to. Don’t compare it to a tourist trap grocer in the French Quarter.
They have a very diverse selection of items including fruits and vegetables that I’ve never seen before that are hard to find elsewhere. They even have plantains on a regular basis; I know of only one other place in the entire NO area that has plantains. They support local farmers, they have great sale items all the time, they have owner appreciation day once every month. The meat is a little pricey but I did some research and found out that unless you raise your own organic livestock, that’s the price you’ll pay almost everywhere for non-​GMO organic meats.
As far as finding the place, is hard to miss, it’s a giant orange building that says NEW ORLEANS FOOD COOP and it’s on a corner. Don’t give them a bad review just because you’re bad with directions and you can’t park your giant 6-​wheel truck. Also look at the screen when they are ringing up your items, It’s faces the customer for a reason, so that you can look at it and call out any mistakes. It will take no time out of your day and its good practice everywhere you shop.

This place literally isn’t even a co-​op. they just call it that.
I’ve talked to a bunch of past employees and recent ones, and everyone i’ve talked to say theres basically two people at the top reaping all the profits and no one else gets paid well. The place isn’t cooperatively owned at all.
Also, the food is like three times the price that it is in any other grocery store i’ve ever been to, including wanky health food stores and they’ve overcharged me for bulk items almost every time i’ve shopped there.

I really like to co-​op. Eating a meat-​free diet in NOLA usually means getting greens cooked in bacon from restaurants, so having a place that offers good veggie options is a blessing. The staff has always been friendly to me, and the location is super convenient.

I couldn’t get heard down at the New Orleans Food Co-​op so I’m posting here. Fair warning, customers: at least one of the cash registers is randomly overcharging people, and if you don’t get a receipt, as they always ask if you want a receipt or not, you won’t be able to prove it did.
The register overcharged me $ 40 today, which I didn’t realize until I got to the car and checked the receipt. I was told that the register «keeps doing that» to people and they’ve «tried to fix it but it’s still doing it». I stated to the Asst Manager on duty that they really needed to prioritize getting it fixed because that kind of error (and explanation) does not instill trust in its customers. The Asst Mgr responded by saying it wasn’t their fault and suggested that I was not being «respectful» by my comment, and that they «always refund the money when it happens.» When I tried to talk to the General Manager to make it clear what my point is (that they are undermining trust by not getting it repaired), the Manager refused to speak to me.
So yeah, they may «always refund the money» but if you don’t get a receipt you won’t be able to prove it. So be sure to get a receipt. And check it.
btw, the register in question is the one on the end nearest the grocery cart storage. Unless the rest of them are doing it too.
The general store culture among the employees and management appears to be «CYA and don’t admit responsibility», and it has come up several times. The store also has a very high employee turnover rate, extremely high for a co-​op, and one of the benefits of a co-​op (that you pay for with higher prices) is supposed to be a beneficial work environment. Manifestly not so, and rotten customer service. It’s really too bad, and it’s too bad I had to write this review to get heard.

I really want to love this place because we sure need a viable food store in our neighborhood. I love the idea, but could NEVER afford to do most of my shopping here.
That being said, my trip tonight highlights some of my favorite things about NOFC. Filtered water: 29 cents a gallon– reasonable enough I come here twice a week. A bulb of garlic, 80 cents. Don’t expect the produce selection of Whole Foods but they do make it easy to buy single items. Yellow bulk lentils — great bulk selection. Pint of Kleinpeter Café au Lait ice cream made with Community Coffee — $ 1.99 — love how they try to buy local items.

I rarely shop here anymore, too many bad marks. I’m dissatisfied with the selection. For a mid-​sized space, the options are lacking. Prices are above average. Produce seems to be runt selections. NOHC is good enough in a pinch but, I take my grocery list elsewhere now. Some cashiers seem to lack proper training. Twice now I’ve made a purchase and noticed several non-​existent items on my receipt. On one recent visit, the total was thirty dollars over — totally unacceptable.
I can see things didn’t quite pan-​out for NOHC and I sincerely wish they had. Some of the workers clearly put their hearts and minds into the store but, it’s not enough. NOHC would benefit from an influx of cash but, it won’t come without unless a steady customer base emerges. I wish them luck.

As far as co-​ops go, this is probably the worst one that I have been to in 5 states. The staff are rude and unhelpful, the selection tiny, the prices on par with San Francisco, and they take big advantage of the act that this is the only healthy grocery store in a 3 mile radius. I live in the lower ninth and biking all the way here to hemorrhage money for a «meh» product is just painful.

The salad bar is a great deal. I often put together a decent-​sized salad with mixed greens, kidney beans, olives, broccoli, shredded cheese and sometimes even kale – yes, kale in New Orleans ;) – for less than four bucks. The healing center is such an open space that there’s almost always a comfy chair outside to pop a squat on an enjoy your quick meal.

I feel like I can keep this short because other reviewers have already touched base on my thoughts on this, uh, Co-​op. I’ve been to many Co-​ops around the country and was pretty open minded/​excited when I finally decided to visit this one. Silly me.
This place:
— was way overpriced.
–was hard to navigate (aka find).
–has a poorly planned parking lot.
–has strange workers that just like to stare.
Seriously, they were all staring at me like I wasn’t part of the club. Which made me 100% sure that I did not want to be a part of the club. There was, of course, the price that also persuaded me to get out of there.
I did like the bulk soaps. So… there’s a star.
Can someone start a real Co-​op in NOLA though? I really want one.
But, yeah. Bye forreal, y’all. I’m going to Whole Foods for now.

The Food Co-​op offers hummus cheaper than Wal-​Mart (Lillys vs. Sabre by ounce). The 5-​stage filtered water is cheap too, compared to Whole Foods, which I think is like 40 cents a gallon last time I looked. There are certain things the Co-​op offers that are equal to or less than other stores in the neighborhood.
Also, if you’re in the «Food For All» Program (which you can get into if you’re on food stamps, WIC, section 8, fixed income, etc) you can get a 5% discount on all your food. Also, if you get «The Green Card» by LifeCity (a card that benefits both buyers of green businesses and those green businesses) you can get $ 5 off of a purchase of $ 50 or more. Also, the Food Co-​op is always offering coupons in their sales brochures for $ 2 off your total purchase. And those sales brochures always show what’s on sale or not.
Even the things that cost more money are (often) worth the cost. Even though I’m not well off, I’d rather shop here and spend my money on things that are good for the world, instead of going to Wal-​Mart and exploiting people and the environment. I also think it’s interesting that people will waste money on things like new shoes, clothes, and other things they don’t need for extravagant amounts of money, and they complain about spending a little bit more on good organic food.
The people, cashiers and managers, are always really nice. The other day the Food Co-​op helped put on a cooking class, which taught people (myself included) how to cook new things. It was free, and they even gave us some food.

I really really REALLY wanted to like this place. But I just don’t.
I have pondered whether to write this review but sometimes telling it like it is will hopefully spur some change. So here I go.
Listen people. I get it.
I’m environmentalist. I’m a vegetarian. I believe in local sustainability. I know how our behaviors affect our neighbors internationally. I hug puppies. I believe in Leprachauns and mermaids. Blah blah blah etc. etc.
But LISTEN if you can’t afford to BUY ANYTHING at your local food co op then really people, WHAT IS THE POINT?
I was soooo excited when the hubby told me about this place. (My loving carnivore love muffin tolerates my tree hugging philosophy and he gratefully passes on eco-​friendly information whenever he gets it.) So I skipped down here with the kiddies expecting to be floored by the place. I thought being that I was in groovy New Orleans these folks know how to do it right! Unfortunately, I was disappointed.
I entered and was completely confused and enchanted. The hubby did not explain to me that the co op was nestled among one of several storefronts in the Healing Center.
So I wondered around looked at the gorgeous exhibits/​paintings/​costumes/​disco Buddha etc. and wondered intermittently where the food co op was.
I even thought about going into the botanica/​voodoo shop but since there was no one in there (even though the door was open) and being the cautious Negress that I am I thought that it was better to avoid trouble and not be found alone amidst a storeful of unwatched merchandise.
So I dutifully stepped away from the door to the voodoo shop and eventually near the rear I FINALLY located the co op. I was soooo excited! I grabbed literature near the front of the store and immediately contemplated joining as an owner but then reality set in.
Usually when I scout out a location I fully expect to spend a dollar or two at the establishment but like one reviewer stated I ended up leaving without ANYTHING.
It was ridiculously expensive. How can items be MORE EXPENSIVE THAN WHOLE FOODS??? EVERYONE jokes that Whole Foods should be renamed Whole Paycheck so how can a food co op be more expensive???
It boggles the mind.
I mean it is already expensive to buy a tomato at the local Winn Dixie but then I get slapped here. TWICE.
I just don’t get it.
I’ve been to co ops and admittedly some items can be as expensive but there are often many that are competitively priced. But I guess I did not get the memo that THIS co op is for RICH PEOPLE.
I am now humbled and I will go back to WHOLE FOODS where I can continue to get raped in peace.
Oh, and I must clarify as I did see that Kirk’s Castile Soap was not too bad of a price. So I might consider going back there to buy some if there are no other affordable biodegradable soap options in my area.

I can keep my supermarket phobia under control here, therefore I find the Co-​Op to be AOK.
I think the key is to look at it as similar to (my much-​missed) Korean groceries in Brooklyn (only it’s not open 24-​hours), rather than compare to Whole Foods or Rouses.
The selection is decent for a small grocery store. The prices… eh. I guess on par with WF (oops, I just did what I said I wouldn’t do). Again, similar to a Korean market with lots of healthy options and that comes at a higher price usually. Of course at a Korean market, you’re also paying for convenience and for those of us who live within a few blocks, well, it’s mighty convenient. And that’s the major draw. It’s not a destination market by any means.
I think the produce is pretty great. I was expecting to find less. They had three varieties of organic kale (which is pretty much all I care about), and dino kale was on sale for 1.99 a bunch. There is a very tiny local produce section that is clearly marked.
Oh and they have Hail Merry raw treats! They are in a small fridge by the register up front. I’m kind of obsessed with them these days (key lime or meyer lemon being my favorite tarts and those chocolate macaroons are unbelievable).
The staff is nice and helpful. Yeah, I was asked if I wanted to be an owner. It’s just not going to happen. I don’t really see the value in it. The food co-​op in Lawrence KS was about three times the size and I actually preferred it to any stores of its kind, including WF, so I guess there’s potential that’s not quite met here.
I’ll write more once I realize I have to depend on this place as I despise driving and I despise supermarkets.