Baltimore Food Co-op

It’s really too bad. I loved this spot! Goes to show — lack of Marketing will get ya EVERY TIME! Hardly anyone knew about this spot which is sad. The offerings were truly AMAZING!

Doh! They closed over a week ago. Some sort of sign on the business itself would have been very helpful. Or even taking down the huge «Baltimore Food Co-​Op» banners. I drove by today and the door is still propped open with the sign on the front saying «open» with the hours posted. It wasn’t even apparent until I was actually walking around inside the co-​op that they were closed. I wonder what went wrong. Where am I going to get my milk bottle refunds now?!

I am sad to report that the Co-​op closed as of yesterday, September 20, 2012. I tried to stop by for my regular milk and eggs yesterday evening to find the doors shut. And then I got an email around 9pm last night with the bad news. I had no idea the financial situation was that bad. Why didn’t anyone say anything when I was there last Sunday? I would have bought more…

I really don’t mind spending extra money for local food or a new business. I’m a member and have been terribly disappointed. The stock is very low, the produce tremendously overpriced (seriously $ 6 for a tiny bag of brussel sprouts) and the few things I’ve been in to get once weren’t there when I returned to buy them again. A good solution might be to keep a list of things to be ordered for customers and them email them upon arrival (might seem like a great deal to do but cashiers are usually reading until a customer is ready to check out). It’s basically a fancy food boutique in a crappy but well intentioned warehouse.

I can’t wait to improve my review of the important Baltimore Food Co-​op, but when I went in there for the first time (all excited), my happy feeling about the place was immediately and completely squelched by the woman who seemed to be managing the place… she rudely blew off my interested questions about the co-​op, was jaw-​droppingly passive-​aggressive about a leaking milk container I preferred not to purchase, etc. etc. huge bummer of an experience! I can’t help but think that the place needs new management and it might quickly become what I hoped it might be. we certainly could use a great co-​op in Baltimore and this location seems perfect, etc. their produce inventory when I was there was uninspiring. there is so much potential and room for improvement. many of the improvements (like the attitude towards customers!) could be fixed overnight. another is to make it clear where it is OK to park behind the store (the private/​towing signs make it seem like you can’t park most places back there but that may not be true)

Super reasonable prices for organic produce. Pretty decent selection of meats (even though they’re frozen, but that’s fine with me) and dairy. I became a member and m pretty happy so far. Keep in mind, if you’re expecting a grocery store selection this isn’t your place and you’re paying for organic products so it will cost more then pesticide and process heavy foods. I hope it continues to grow. Between this and farmers markets we should be set!

Sigh. I hate to go against the grain here, but I stopped in strictly because of the Unilocal reviews and I was really excited to see what BFC had to offer. Turns out it’s… not much.
There were only a few not-​well-​stocked aisles of things that I could honestly pick up at Whole Foods or OK Natural for much less money. I looked for the bulk spices mentioned in the previous review and didn’t see them. Very little in the meat section — a whole chicken going for 22 dollars is beyond ridiculous, I don’t care how free it ran around on the farm. It’s only 9 dollars at Whole Foods and that’s expensive enough.
If they start stocking a lot more things, I might make the trip out here on occasion, but as it stands right now, they don’t have anything that I can’t get elsewhere for a lot less.
I WAS tempted by the wasabi pickles, however; I may pick those up the next time I’m in the neighborhood.

I loved it! They had a lot of locally-​produced goods as well as standard organic and healthy food fare one would normally see at Whole Foods. The front refrigerator is full of fresh produce, and then there are several aisles of dry goods. I bought some wasabi pickles from In a Pickle company. Delicious. It looks like they have bulk spices, as well. I definitely plan to go back.
The parking is a little confusing. It seems like there are only a few spots but I wasn’t sure which ones were for the market.

I was thrilled to see a food cooperative /​grocery store open in Baltimore !!!
They offer a decent amount of organic dry goods and are slowly but surely expanding their overall selection. To truly flourish, though, they need more shoppers!
Do yourself a favor and get the fresh Wasabi Pickles they carry. I forget the brand name but they are the best pickles I have ever tasted, and I haven’t seen them offered anywhere else.
I hope they will soon carry popular gluten-​free items in their fridge and freezer sections *hinthint*.
P. S. It’s very difficult to find the entrance to, because of the one-​way streets! If driving, you will need to GPS or google maps it. I probably live 2 miles away and I still drive in circles every darn time.

We are excited to announce the Baltimore Food Co-​op will be opening their doors on July 28^th!!!