Mariposa Food Co-op

I enjoy shopping at Mariposa for produce and dairy items, they are the only store in the neighborhood that offers produce. Their produce is always fresh and they offer a light selection of shelf stable foods. Their dairy selection is a little limited but good enough for a quick pick up of milk or eggs if needed. The store has issues with aggressive panhandlers and addicts at the front door begging (and sometimes threatening) for small change. They have made efforts to address this but it just pushed the panhandlers onto the stoop at the door.

I used to come here for a lot of my groceries post-covid so I wouldn't have to drive, but it's increasingly a gamble whether an item I'm looking for is stocked or not. Coops are usually best for just specialty items, but it's a shame that it doesn't feel reliable for even that sometimes. Staff is friendly and the space is pleasant, great selection of vegan items. But considering the prices and lack of selection, I probably wouldn't come if it wasn't so close.

They have bulks herbs! Not a huge selection but I was expecting nada so this was a pleasant surprise. As a local Ayurvedic Practitioner/Herbalist it's good to know that I can get basics if I run out and need to fill an order asap. It was really easy to get a member(owner)ship, too --- I like that I can pay the equity overtime ($25 every quarter for 2 years), and cash out when I leave. Prices are on pay with most other specialty organic grocers, and the sales are often generous. I've shopped at co-ops in many different cities and the prices can become inaccessible. I think Mariposa does a good job at keeping things as reasonable as they can with what little purchasing power I imagine they have (think about the wholesale deals Whole Foods can get as a mega-coporation and be real when you look at M's prices!).

Long time member first time reviewer. It’s incredible to have witnessed how bad things have become at this place within the past three years. I suspect poor leadership has led to the downfall in quality and overall experience. First off, most of the front facing staff are great and it’s always pleasant to interact with them, however there are a handful of long term staff members that clearly hate their jobs and seem to endeavor in making everyone as miserable as they are. You know who I’m talking about. Also, they never have any stock. Like I get it if I roll in on a Saturday or Sunday evening and some items are sold out because it’s been busy, but they are constantly under stocked/sold out of the most basic staples every. single. day. This is why I think poor leadership is to blame: whoever is supposed to be running the ship has lost control and needs to go. They clearly have no idea how to run a community grocery store. I truly believe in the ideals of the co-op and it’s a shame that leadership have let things deteriorate this way.