Tacoma Food Co-Op

Pretty displeased with the produce here. I thought their selection was pretty sad and some of their produce was just sad. The peppers were shriveled and cucumbers smushy. On top of that the prices for these sad produce items were just outrageous. And I thought a lot of these things would be locally grown, but a lot of what I saw was from Mexico. No thanks

Prices vary depending on what you’re looking for but they do have a great selection of local options. The staff is very helpful and happy to answer questions about membership, products, and the organization.

small co-​op discount for members :) on bulk needs a little more love into it

While the store is small, they have a great selection of vegetarian and other natural items to choose from, as well as the «healthy» junk food items.
The down side to this place is the prices. A few of the prices I saw were actually quite good, but a lot of the things I was interested in I knew could be easily acquired elsewhere for noticeably less.

Tacoma Food Co-​Op is a small but well stocked place to find quality, sustainable, and local foods.
Service: My cashier, the only person I interacted with, was pleasant and helpful.
Hits: Large bulk-​bun section, wide range of teas, and an entire isle of self care items. Produce was fresh and stocked with many heirloom fruit/​vegetables.
Misses: The frozen section was sadly sparse. While shelf space was plentiful, most areas were less than 30% filled, with many items seemingly out of stock/​missing.

For its size, it has a great selection. Love the fresh produce! They also have a good selection of tea and coffee. The workers are always polite and knowledgeable as well.

Reading recent reviews. Interesting to see folks comparing the coop with trader joes. And to save a dollar. Let’s see TJs is 6.5 miles away and the official cost to run your car is 55 cents per mile. Biking there is ½ hour each way. Then, TJ is part of aldi a German company. Do yall really want your cash to leave the country? I’m ¼ German so this is not some xenophobic screed.
This whining reminds me of old folks who drive 30 miles to save 33 cents on a lemon. Think people. If you have suggestions on how to improve the coop, do so in person or leave a constructive comment in writing. Thanks

I always feel good about my co-​op purchases. Yes, some things are a little more expensive, but some are more reasonable (like produce and bulk) that it all evens out. And, it’s true, they have the best local eggs and meats.
Plus, when you take the time you’ll find all the little treasures that you won’t find anywhere else in Tacoma and a very welcoming, friendly, generous staff!

Woow First of all, they have real products that are healthy for you!
Raw milks, Elk meats, Grass Fed cow meats, free range chicken eggs (best ones i’ve ever seen and I do mean it) and so forth and so on.
This is a really good place to get high quality foods, produces are very fresh looking and people working there are very friendly.

If pressed to describe the TFC-​O, I would ask you to imagine Trader Joe’s with a quarter the selection and double the prices. The high marks that I give this place for stocking Sessions Dark are balanced by the 50% extra that it costs here than it does a supermarket. Some of the produce seemed a little long in the tooth.
If you live close by, don’t have access to transportation, and want to eat a little better, this place will do. Otherwise, make the trip to Marlene’s or Trader Joe’s instead.

I like the convenient location, the thoughtful selection, and the friendly people at the checkout. Especially great section of locally-​produced meats, and a nice variety of locally made teas and soaps and stuff. Yes, it could use a wider array of breads and produce. But it’s a nice little store, and a great addition to the neighborhood.

I love our cute little co-​op! Id love to see more variety of course~ and more local meat~ but its trying so hard and has such neat ideas! cute little plants! locally made everything! Excellent kombucha on tap! mmmmm. Its a neat little dream that grew into reality with a lot of dedication, hard work and love. Its exciting to watch it grow and see what happens next.

The two stars are for the local milk and the bulk bins.
I’ve tried my hardest to like this store but I’ve concluded that it’s just a silly and pretentious place that sells overpriced sweets and snacks. An entire aisle of $$ sachets of tea and cookies. Employees that just look bored and snobbish; yes, snobbish with stoney eyes and dull faces. If you don’t like your job, get a different job. I also did not appreciate being asked if I wanted to be a member on all the occasions that I visited. (No I do NOT. I’d rather support my local CSA at a higher price or invest in appropriate stock options in profitable companies lol) It’s like the equivalent of «do you want to donate a dollar to a children’s charity today.» at a chain grocery store. Drove several miles to get kefir grains that they said they did have in stock, only to be told they don’t and I could order it online from a different source. GEE THANKS! I did NOT know about the INTERNETZ. Thanks so much, miss computer-​technology checkout-​girl.
TFC, stop trying to be all Berkeley; you’re nowhere near that standard.

I’ve only been here a few times, and I haven’t been to any other Seattle/​Tacoma area cooperatives, so maybe it’s a bit early for me to write this review.
I shop here because it’s the closest place within walking distance and I don’t have to drive here.
The dairy, bulk bin, beauty products, and coffee suit my needs. Like another review commented, a few additional bread options and more produce would make it a lot more compelling to exclusively shop here. As it stands, I’ll probably shop here and still make occasional grocery runs at the nearby stores for produce and a few other household goods.
I accidentally bought vegan apple sage sausage where, which I really liked though. So, I guess I’m turning a health conscious new leaf. And it was $ 6, as compared to the $ 4 to $ 5 meat product I would buy at TJ’s or somewhere.

Been there twice now each time hoping for a better experience. The prices are
Super high and I feel like that is counter productive for a co op. Aren’t they supposed to provide local and organic food for affordable prices so food is more accessible to people? Like some others have said there is no greeting when you walk in or a warm feeling like in other co ops I have been in. I am sad but I cannot afford to go here on a regular basis.

This is a very quaint little place and reminds me of the little stores back home. I was very excited to find something that was down the street (sorta) so my money can stay with small businesses and let it prosper into something bigger. But I was a little disappointed in how impersonal it was. No warm, fuzzy feeling here :-(Not one person working greeted me when they saw me, with the exception of the cashier when it was check out time… but really, that should be a given or there would be awkward silence and that would make the both, or at least one of us, just a bit uncomfortable.
I felt the selection here was adequate for its small space and provided just about everything one would need. There are an abundant of local products and products you would find at other stores, but are marked up a little higher than the big box stores.
It is also winter, so plenty of the produce I saw were brought in from elsewhere. Although, I do have to say, my pockets were a little empty after shopping here due to the prices. But understandable about the higher prices, as it is a smaller, newer store.
I don’t know if I will be back any time soon. Perhaps when summer comes around, I’ll try again for the produce section.

When I moved back to tacoma I was shocked that there was no co-​op. I loved the co-​op in the city I moved from. I was super excited when the co-​op opened and was ready to fully support it, even at a greater expense. But I am not impressed and it makes me sad. I want to be impressed. I want so badly to be the person that shops at the local co-​op. But for less than the high prices of the meat I get there I can get a much better cut at the local butcher. I was talking about the fact that they sell eggs for $ 5 a dozen for days after I saw them. Overall I just am not impressed with the product and prices (seriously, not to dwell on the meat, but if I pay that much it should be a good piece of steak). I am willing to pay to support my community businesses, but only if it’s worth it.

One thing that I am loving about Tacoma and the Pugent Sound area is the heavy emphasis on organic food at the grocery stores! Like most Co-Op’s they already do emphasize on organic and local products and the Tacoma Co-​Op is no exception. I have had shaky relationships with other Co-​Ops out of state, declaring that you need to be a member to even shop there. Kind of snooty if you ask me. That is not the case at the Tacoma Co-​Op. You do not have to be a member to shop there. Anybody can go in and shop here! There are perks if you are a member though! There is a one time membership fee of $ 100.00 for one household and on select items you get a discount. If you go here a lot the membership easily pays for itself.
There are several sections I really like here. I like the produce section for one, everything is so fresh! The bulk area where you get your nuts, grains, snacky things and cooking ingredients. They got a great selection here! The beer selection is also wide and vast. They have a small bakery section. I have had their scones and such but really gets me excited is when I see their carrot ginger muffin. It tastes similar to carrot cake but without so much of the guilt. They are not always there so I make a point to get it everytime I see one!
The staff has always been helpful and friendly. Last time I was here they were giving free promos to the Chinook Book which offers great deals in the Seattle metro area that you use as a phone app after entering in a promo code. The current list of coupons last about six months and while this round was free I know where to go when a new set of deals come.
The Tacoma Food Co-​Op may not be easily accessible to some people in town but anyone that lives near 6^th and Alder Street the location is perfect for a quick run for some supplies on foot!

It’s a little smaller than I expected, but I loved it! They beat the commissary and Safeway for safer food and product choices soooo I’m pretty much sold. The worker people seem a bit busy but the cashier was nice and gave us some info on membership. Their bulk was pretty extensive and they carry dr. Bronners! Not just one or two scents but… like, all of them. :D their bike racks have a bench in front of them and unless there’s more i didn’t see it means I have to drive for now. :(but its all good since I live nearby. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised. This place will supplement my CSA share nicely.
Worker people not so «busy» anymore. Very nice and informative! Prices for some things are still scary but as long as I’m careful I know I’m supporting good local businesses.

It’s our very own food co-​op!
This place has been improving steadily since it opened in the old Neighborhood Market building. I am really excited about their selection of vegan items, particularly Double Rainbow (haha, meme, I know) ice cream, Globespun Gourmet hummus, Eat Pastry cookie dough, Daiya wedges, and check-​out lane candy selection including Sjaak’s almond butter bites and Justin’s dark chocolate peanut butter cups. I always buy way too many snacks here, but that’s my problem.
Their bread selection could be improved, but they have fantastic offerings in personal care (bulk shampoo — amazing), gluten-​free, vegan, and beer/​wine.