North Coast Co-op

The Bakery is what i want to critique here.
I just thought it would be fair to warn visitors that this is NOT the best bakery in town, especially for chocolate. I suppose it depends upon your tastes… if you like gluten-​free and vegan, they’ve got a good selection. But as a chocolate lover, i am almost always disappointed. (The exception is the chocolate-​covered eclairs… filled with vanilla cream. Delicious!) Most of the goodies are either dry, granular, or too sweet – not enough chocolate!
I had come to that conclusion in general about the chocolate goodies, but had not tried the brownies. Last time i was in there i told the counter clerk, «I really need a chocolate fix, but i’m shy of your brownies – afraid they’ll be too sweet, and not chocolatey enough. I’m spoiled by my homemade, and by the Brio brownies – what should i do?» Of course he enthusiastically recommended the brownie covered in ganache, and i chose the option with pecans on top. I brought it home, made a cup of joe to go with it, and bit in. I could hardly finish it. If i had not seen the dark brown color, i never would have known it was chocolate. Just so sweet that the sugar overwhelmed the cocoa.
So – if you’re in Arcata, head to Café Brio for the brownie there, which is indeed super-​sweet – but the difference is, all that sugar is balanced by plenty of dark delicious cacao. A heady chocolate experience!
By the way, i love the Co-​op in general – it’s a great place to shop; and the Bakery’s own breads are excellent! But when the urge to splurge on goodies strikes, i don’t count on their Bakery.

The North Coast Co-​op puts Whole Foods and every other health food store to shame this place is truly amazing! So much Organic food from fresh fruits and veggies to teas and nuts you can find it all! The staff is also always very friendly. Great selections of vegan and gluten free foods as well!

This place is like Whole Foods but better. You think that is not possible, but it is once you come here. When I moved to Arcata, we became co-​op members and have never been disappointed with that choice. The coffee bar is very good, but I wish they still did ½ off espresso drinks between open (6am) and 8am.

All Organic produce, much of it is locally grown. I like that. However, I would like to see the produce area expand, since that’s mostly how I eat.
Bakery is great. Some items are brought in from other local businesses.
I have found some excellent dips, cheeses, and pre-​made foods here.
I have yet to make full use of the BULK items in this store — grains, nuts, soaps, seeds, tea, cookies, and more. If you would like to move towards ZERO garbage from food consumption I believe that the Co-​op would accommodate your needs.
Once in a while check-​out can be slow due to the community nature of «checking-​in» with your checker here. I have gleaned excellent local information this way — including from other customers in line!

be healthy y’all

Pretty impressed with this store. My sweetie and I stopped here on our way and on the way back from our trip to the Redwoods on the coast. They have a bigger selection of food than the natural health food store in our hometown of Redding, Ca has. We were excited to try all kinds of new yummy foods. The deli had this yummy curry vegetable dish that my sweetie loved!
We both also love raw food and their selection of raw food products was music to our tummies. Lots of delicious raw kale chips and raw food bars too.
It was very refreshing to be in a store where people felt genuinely friendly and helpful.
The parking felt a little cramped. If you are there at a busy time, it is likely hard to find parking because it seems to be in a busy section of the city. Other than that we enjoyed it.
We will go back for sure.

Interesting food, okay staff, and a really interesting shopping experience. Great deli! Sandwiches are really good. Bakery is fantastic!

Excellent Coop market. Foods are fresh. Staff is attentive and helpful.
Downside: Two entire isles are devoted to useless – possibly harmful – «food supplements» and vitamins. Paranoid anti-«GMO” – and anti science – literature near checkout.
We focus on the wide selection of meat, fruit and vegetables and step around the snake oil. We have been Coop members for 20 years.

Love the Coop!!! Their coffee is magic, they have a great selection and you gotta love that coop smell. They are pretty pricy to do all your shopping here if you have a family, but everything is top quality and they have a number of «coop basics» that are very competitively priced. Employees are helpful and knowledgable. Deli food is delicious. The only reason you don’t already know about this place is if you’re from out of town– definitely stop by, it is worth it!

My wife and I are big fans. This place is great albeit a bit pricey. That being said, the selection is amazing as are all the employees that we’ve dealt with. The place is big and has plenty of room as well as a huge selection. Don’t let the word «pricey» worry you. It’s all relative in the organic/​natural shopping experience. We love it and so will you (I hope)

Best Co-​Op I’ve ever seen in my life. Wonderful produce, bakery, coffee, cheese, deli, health supplements and the bulk selection is so high quality and out of this world you will keep coming back for more. Good work Arcata Co-​Op! Keep rockin’ it!

What a fun store! We stopped here for some food on a long road trip and ended up with huge, delicious sandwiches that were totally worth the $ 8 price tag. There are tables at the front of the store which made it a very convenient food stop — I hate eating in the car after a long day in the car! The staff was friendly and approachable. People who say they are pretentious are just looking for a reason to complain!

Delicious wrap! Thank you for having awesome gluten free and vegetarian options, yum!

I have been shopping at the co-​op ever since I’ve moved here from Chicago 24 years ago. It’s selection of rare food finds never diassapoints. Although I have been on several different eating lifestyle bandwagons, I’ve always been able to find what I need here. When I’m hungry, stopping by the deli is my «go-​to» in Arcata. I usually grab a bowl of soup for $ 3.50, an apple, and maybe a little chocolate for a well balanced meal. The co-​op is always clean, and the staff is friendly and helpful. I like knowing I am getting quality meat and produce while helping to support local farmers, ranchers, and this local business.

I have always been a fan of the Other Market in town, and was quite pleasantly surprised when I went into North Coast Co-​Op to find all sorts of amazing and delicious local foods, dry goods and other sundries. This place is very well stocked and has really reasonable prices. Loads of vegan-​friendly items — and so clean & tidy! Very impressed and looking forward to my next visit there to stock up!

I’ve never seen such a friendly staff in my life. The staff will give you the BIGGEST sample sizes at the deli. I love it!
Prices are better than Wildberries.

This grocery store is heaven outside of the hefty prices thus the 4 stars. The selection is huge and has several rare items like fresh ground Tahini and homemade pumpkin ravioli. The bulk section is outstanding, a backpackers paradise. Tons of freeze dried, quick oats & nuts, etc. okay okay I’m getting there the coop had the king of brews selection, it’s a place to pick out a beer you’ve never heard of from small obscure brewer and give it a try! And for dessert head over to their handmade cookies… your eyes will pop out of your head. My favorite is the espresso bean cookie. Whoa is a power house of energy!
I love and trust this store that they’re offering the highest quality and non gmo food.
Thank coop you rock.

For local items, farm fresh fruits/​veggies, and seafood you cannot beat the coop. Since they are only 2 stores strong, they do not get the large quantity discounts that safeway does for national brand foods. I enjoy their selection of freshly made pasta for a last minute meal idea.

Great wine and beer and bulk organic selections! You can even get bulk frozen peas and corn!
Not the best for prepared food though. Couldn’t find anything that I could just grab and go. Ended up buying meat and produce and cooked at home instead.
Wildberries has a much better salad/​hot bar/​made to order food!

I am totally serious.
I am considering moving to the area, literally, because of this co op. Knowing that healthy food options are close is a must & this place had great food options. Really really great. Also amazing sandwiches & I’m sooooo picky about sandwiches… but I must say the most resounding thing about this place was the good vibes coming off the people that worked there. I know I sound like a hippy but hey… Maybe I need to get in touch with my inner??? Not sure.
Regardless.
I should mention that Patrick’s point state park is near by & it’s f+*ing awesome.
Anyway, I’m not sure what one might need from a co-​op/​nat food store but …
unless you are an asshole you will find it here.