I've never been a fan of the co op and Whole Foods. But since starting on special no gluten no dairy diet, all the specially items like Teff flour and such are easily available here. It's a must to visit and getting a membership is easy. At the registry you will be offered to pay for the membership as you shop. You get one Tuesday a month an additional 10% discount so just ask to use your discount that day. During the Christmas holidays they offer $100 gift cards and give you $20. That's a wonderful offer. Just stock up for your future purchases needs for those special items and save $20 for every $100 you get. There is no way to follow those gift cards so keep them in your wallet. Wish they can add a way to load a card balance to you act so when you shop, the balance is removed as you go. Also, add the membership card to your "Stocard" app and just scan it from your iPhone icon. Breezy!! read more

They have lots of good organic produce, organic fresh coffee, delicious organic havlah & bars, Synergy Kombucha, few options of Wild fish & good bulk section w organics. Would be great if Co-op carried organics in Deli, breads and pastries as most items are conventional or only non-gmo. read more

I need to go to the Co-Op more often but struggle to make it to that side of town. In my brain I think the prices are through the roof but every time I step in the door, I am often mistaken. I think just like any store, some prices are high, some are low, and some are the same as other places. The Co-Op is always clean, buzzing with friendly energy and fun. Yes, I just said it, FUN. I never know what interesting product I am going to run into with each visit. I am starting to buy a little more bulk products such as lotions, spices, beans, rice. To be honest, I like the thought that I can put my bulk food in a fun container at home. ( I am also saving the world, one less container at a time. I am like a super hero! Kind of...) So what I am trying to get at is, the Co-Op is a great place to shop even if you are on a budget. You just have to be mindful. Parking is sometimes a struggle but if you go early or late there is plenty of space! read more

The Boise Co-Op deli has my very favorite sandwich in town: Chicken Salad on ciabatta (with props to my friend Kristi who recommended it to me 10 years ago!) with lettuce, tomato, onion, and extra sprouts. Yum yum yum. I've since turned my dad onto it, and we enjoyed one each today -- we took them to a local park. Sandwiches are presented in brown bags with chips and a napkin. Other fresh salads are good, and the soups are good too... but I always go back to the Chicken Salad on ciabatta. The fresh vegetable & fruit department is rather small, but the items I've gotten there have always been great. They have the best bean sprouts in town and today the tomatoes looked especially good. The rest of the store has its pluses too... They're the only Treasure Valley location I can find venison for dad & hubby to enjoy. They were the go-to place about a year ago when I was looking for a very specific plum wine. And, while lots of places have Stacey's pita chips, I can only find the Cinnamon & Sugar variety here. If you're looking for something obscure and/or very specific, save yourself some trouble and look here first. Restrooms are clean & large, and in the back of the store in an employee area. The parking lot drives me nuts! Seems like it's always too small for the amount of traffic. read more

They have traded local for generic. No longer the specialty store they used to be. Far too high priced. Experienced discrimination!

Terrible management. First of all, it took them three months to refund our membership. They are lairs. They said they sent it in the mail two times which should have gotten to me. Are you kidding, your sending local. It takes two days max to send a letter to local address using usps. Why is the front desk employees always on a bad mood. They seem like they are on drugs. Plus everything is way overpriced. I compared the prices between other stores and the difference is shocking every time. $2-5 always difference. Their food taste disgusting. Bought a sandwich . It barely had any ingredients. They said they ran out. But still wanted to charge full price. It tested like a dry rubber tire. read more

Good spot for organic an grass fed products. Overall experience has been good. They're strict on masks though.

Amazing deli selection, and wonderful fresh baked goods, salads, and so forth. Unfortunatley, the prices are outrageous! They have a lock on all of us locavore/Al Gore groupies, and they seem to be extorting us. It's also really packed all the time, and it can be hard to find what you're looking for. In addition, they don't really focus on local foods and supporting nearby artisans and farmers, but more organic stuff. That means produce from out of state, Amy's meals, boxed food you can get at every other grocery store, etc. Still, I appreciate that they're trying and I love their tofu bento boxes and La Cafe de Paris' croissants. Oh! Parking can be a nightmare. Try to go during off hours, which I'm not actually sure exist, but otherwise you're better off looking for street parking than braving the lot. read more

It helps that I have been a co-op member for 30 years! That means I get an automatic discount with every purchase, kind of like REI. The deli and prepared food island are terrific, wonderful produce, cheeses from around the world, great bulk food section, beer and wine too (they have a larger selection of vino across the parking lot), it is all in all just a very nice co-op. Covered bicycle parking, no one else in town has that, and if you don't drive your car there you can get an additional discount! Also a Green Bike station. Indoor and outdoor seating for noshing. And everyone is sooo nice! read more

I love the coop! Been a member forever and you get 10%off on one day of your choice a month! Hot bar usually good but needs way more and varied vegan options. Great burritos and sandwiches always! read more

With the pandemic going on and people are still choosing to shop here is beyond me . It's known for its price gouging and that time when it was sued for making the general public sick with ecoli . I can't help but wonder when they will get shut down . The store smells and is dirty . Why do they beg you for money to join their membership when you go to pay ? The only thing they're good for is some of the hippy dippy natural beauty products . Other than That this store ain't shit . read more

Management did attempt to follow up with me. Offer of a free lunch and talk about changes to the co op. My feeling remains the employees are somehow entitled millennial hippies with zero life experience beyond parents paying for their college. Some good food products yes. Attitude and customer service just awful. Not intetested in going back personally. read more

Wow. I found a seafood lasagna recipe that looks absolutely incredible but the only problem was I couldn't find one of the ingredients anywhere---except at the Boise Co-op. To my surprise, I found other products that I use in my sushi and sushi rice dishes that I like to make. Thanks Boise Co-op! read more

I've been going to this co-op since I was a kid. It's one of my favorite places for a quick deli meal in Boise. The build your own sandwich is fool-proof and delicious. I would highly recommend their house made chick pea spread for vegetarians and vegans. I also just got the cutest plant there - extra bonus! read more

I ordered the black bean burger and the vegan oatmeal creme pie! They were both absolutely fantastic!

Ok no idea what's going on the quesadilla used to be so delicious I alway get extra chesss the last 5 times though tbey just tasted awful I ordered 2 cheese quesadilla with extra cheese one very obviously had extra and one didn't as there was a difference in thickness I got a cheese quesadilla at the meridian location which is quiet far from me I literally live across from the northend one I guess I'll be going to the meridian one from now on very sad please improve read more

The Boise CoOp provides the most disgraceful customer service I have ever seen at any food market anywhere. After searching the dairy area for cottage cheese I was unable to locate it. I asked an employee standing 10 feet away. Rather than step down from his ladder and walk me to the product--as is done in every grocery store in the country--I was directed to the deli area. When I couldn't find it there the deli employees directed me back to the dairy area. I then approached the original employee who did in fact step down and walk me to the item in the dairy area. On five separate occasions I have requested information about a roasted turkey product sold behind the deli counter. I've asked three deli employees and two customer service counter folks where it comes from, is it organic, and why they don't slice it for sandwiches. Answers have varied from, "The turkey arrives roasted and chopped," to "We are only allowed to slice Boar's Head products on our slicer," to "You have to ask the deli manager." Oh really, who is that? None of these employees was interested in attaining the information for themselves so that they might better assist the next customer. Letters to management go unanswered. Looking for local organic products? Better go to the Saturday Capital Market rather than the CoOp. Although the packaging may be pretty very few items come from local farms. Expect to find produce from around the world. Looking for healthy packaged food? Products on these shelves may contain GMOs, BHT, BPE, and BGH. Read labels carefully. The local Winco has identical products for roughly 60% of the price, and employees who actually know the store and are willing to help. Boise CoOp, shape up! Although the latest Whole Foods plan was denied by city council, they will be here soon. Their employees are well trained and their products are guaranteed to be free of many of the carcinogens you sell in fancy packaging. **12/28/10 edit** I bought medicinal herbs here the other day. Without getting into specifics let me warn you that the herbs were mislabeled. When I got home I realized the mistake and threw away the mislabeled herb. This could have been a very dangerous situation. Medicinal herbs--used improperly--can cause a multitude of problems on their own, or in combination with other medicines. I brought the problem to the attention of employees, who corrected it but did not seem concerned. read more

Whether you want to tear your clothes off and declare your whole-grain, organic, gluten-free and free-range love for this place will depend upon your personal definition of "socially-conscious", "vegan", "granola", "Birkenstocks", etc. Because, as someone who believes that Birkenstocks are for comfort and not a fashion-statement, I find the co-op to not be a "co-op" in the traditional sense of the word. Stumbled in to purchase some "zappoleone" (sp?) Zucchini bread. Produce was fresh, service was helpful and plentiful, shoppers were happy (and apparently loaded), because a wedge of Cambazola cheese at the co-op was twice the cost per pound in comparison to the Costco. Not that anyone can beat Costco in terms of price when purchasing in bulk...but seriously...TWICE the cost? That really destroys the spirit of the "co-op'dness" for me. Apparently, the cows providing the Cambazola at the co-op were probably highly-learned, compared to the ones at Costco, as the co-op's magazines at the checkout - "Psychology Today", "Astrology World" - just to name a few. No, thanks, Boise Co-Op, I'll leave my clothes on and my cash in my pocket. read more

If you are trying to find the Boise epicenter of dreadlocks and "free Tibet" bumper stickers, look no further. If you want to buy groceries at a reasonable price, drive another mile down the road to Albertson's. Obviously there is a great selection of organic, bulk, and specialty foods, but not much better than what is offered at Fred Meyer. That said, I do like to drop in from time to time to splurge on some imported wine or cheese. If you are in a "foodie" mood, it's definitely worth a visit. read more

Come on Whole Foods save Boise from this snobby interpretation of the a organic experience. I have been there 7 times an not one of the trendy little clerks has asked if I was interested in joining the "in crowd"...pony up $65 dollars and you have right to pay highly over inflated prices of the COOP... Pray for Whole Foods..... Hurry this is critical! " read more

Swung by on our way up to Bogus Basin for a day of snowboarding. We all went a little overboard on a birthday party the night before and forgot to eat dinner...it was replaced with beers. So we were starving the next morning and ordered up breakfast burritos from the deli, local roasted coffee, and fresh baked muffins. After that breakfast, we were gods on the mtn..... Oh and we stocked up on snacks for the day too. This place had it all, highly recommended! read more

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Like other people have said, prices are high. If you're shopping here on a budget it's going to be a little difficult. But most of the items are humane, ethical, and well-rounded as a whole, so you get your money's worth! They do have some neat choices. Service has always been great for me. I am in love with both their bakery, craft beer selection and their wine selection (however, these sections are usually where I gravitate while food shopping anyways....I'm a self-proclaimed carb-o-holic). Their sushi and prepared meals are pretty good. BUT the last time I had food from their hot bar (tomato soup and a small salad) I got some pretty nasty food poisoning. I did pick it out at 8 pm, so I take fault for choosing foods that may have been sitting out for awhile. It happens. But still, food poisoning and tummy troubles are zero fun. I'll be back... just going to stay away from their hot bar/salad bar. read more

I really want to like the Co-op. And I do to an extent. I appreciate their selection, love their food bar, and the ambience is delightful. What does Whole Foods give me that the Co-op doesn't? Amazing customer service. I consistently have poor customer service here. I was at one time shopping here twice a week and always received the same cold shoulder. Unless you are one of their in crowd they tolerate you at best. Today I was ignored for a full minute in a check out line while the checker talked with one of the in crowd. I had to move my merchandise to another stand. Oh well. I'll keep returning as I am a member here and I do love the food choices as a Paleo eater. But I definitely frequent Whole Foods more often. read more

I don't understand the other reviews. The way everyone talked about Whole Foods I figured it would be bigger, cheaper, and have ten times the selection. Well, Whole Foods is bigger, but that's it. I pretty much hate shopping there. I gave it an honest try especially since I have so many friends working there. I like the beer, sushi, cheese, and most of the meats better at the Co-op than I do at Whole Foods. The cheaper meats I found at WF weren't local, which is supposed to be the point. Overall the few positives of Whole Foods don't make it worth having to navigate their crowded parking lot or unnecessarily massive store. read more

Worst store EVER and I have been to my fair share of co-ops. Okay maybe not ever but I am not sure why people here put this store on such a high pedestal. Seriously?! I get the local thing but local things that are sub-par don't usually warrant locals spending their hard earned cash on them. Or maybe here it does. I love the model of a cooperative but the selection here sucks and that is before you even take the prices into account. If they had quality produce and a better range of items (cheese, breads, etc...) it would warrant a visit but that wasn't the case. The same blackberries that were almost $5/pint at the Co-Op were $2.50 at Albertsons. Yes, the same brand and everything. Parking lot is on the small side as well, can't imagine what it might be like trying to pop in on the way home to pick something up. I just moved to Boise and am counting the days until Whole Paycheck opens. read more

Beer selection is okay. Store is kind of grungy and disorganized. Prices were as high as expected-- co-ops are not cheap. Not a fan of the attitude of other co-op shoppers. You know, the holier-than-thou, clueless-of-others, flat-out rude attitude? Hey moron, don't stand in the middle of the aisle while you gossip with your little shopping companion about what so-and-so did over the weekend. When you see someone waiting on your ass, MOVE. People are here to get what they need and get out. It was worth it to stock up on my husband's favorite import beer that he can't find at home. However, we like the Moscow, ID co-op much better. It's cleaner and better organized, and the clientele tends to be brainier. read more

Just took a trip to Idaho and stayed in an Airbnb right next to the Boise Co-Op. We went three times during our visit because we liked it so much. They have a great selection of groceries that are local and organic and everything you could need. The best part of it is that it's much cheaper than Whole Foods but you still get the same quality. They have a great wine selection. We got lunch from the hot bar one day and it was really good - rice, bbq pork, veggies, all in a bowl. They also had a station with people making fresh sandwiches, etc. I wish we had a place like this in Nashville. read more

The Co-Op is the only place where I've been able to find Charles de Fere Blanc de Blancs Brut Sparkling Wine -- the ONLY sparkling wine that does NOT give me a massive headache as soon as the sulfites hit my bloodstream. Hence, I can drink myself into a drunken stupor. : P But really, the Co-Op is awesome in all of it's organic, natural, overpriced, hippified glory. (Let's just find another name for it 'cuz it's REALLY NOT a co-op in the true meaning of the word!!) read more

I get lunch once a week or so, the deli has a variety of items that are consistently high quality.

This review is for the food bar of the boise coop. I can't resist the deliciousness. The seduction comes from not only a verity of vegan choices. But also the ingredients. I believe the chief has really put a lot of thoughts into the food they cook. Because for some magic reason. After I ate it. I feel energetic and balanced. I appreciate it so much. Because I am sensitive to the ingredients from food. I used to go to the food bar from Wholefood and every time I eat there it made me really thirsty. I have to drink gallons of water to recover. One day I almost call the manager to ask them exact what's in the food they serve in the food bar. because last time it made my stomach very sick. And I have to take a day off because of it. That's pretty much the story:p read more

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It was a bright and sunny Thursday morning. The kind of morning that says, 'Hey, it doesn't matter what happened yesterday, or the day before that. All that matters is today, the HERE and NOW where you can right the wrongs of your past and move forward into the future with a healthy attitude.' This was exactly what we needed after last night's show in Salt Lake City. The show itself was a lot of fun and the crowd was amazing, but we had some MAJOR problems around 3am when everything we stand for as health-conscious travelers went by the wayside in one foul swoop. We went to Denny's. It's an experience we're too ashamed to write about, but just know that milkshakes, burgers, biscuits with gravy, eggs, french toast, and a bowl full of regret found its way to our table. We woke up with a long drive from Salt Lake City to Vancouver and a desperate need to heal our wounded pride. After 4 hours of mountain driving and Prince records, Sondre got on the 'ole YELP app and searched "Whole Foods Type Place." Up came "Boise Co-Op." As if Heaven sent. SO much healthy, organic food everywhere... we didn't know where to start! It was like a safe haven for repenting food sinners and we just walked around pointing at food to each other, exclaiming visionary locution such as, "Look! Broccoli!" or "Oh my God, there's tofu in here!" We seemed like a bunch of hungover desperados who just stepped out of a 3 day journey through a waterless, junk-food desert and into a civilized oasis. (Denny's can do that). Sondre got a small container of the "five p salad" (pesto, peas, pasta, pine nuts, and parmesian) which he thought was "fantastic." When he saw it he thought, 'Why have I not thought of this combination before? Why did I have to go to Boise to discover this?' He also got a small container of "Corn & Cucumber Salad" which he said "looked better than it was. All the ingredients were fresh, but it was too harsh, due to a surplus of vinaigrette." He also enjoyed a small package of "Apricot, BBQ Meatballs" which he thought was a bit "hard." He likes his meatballs to be, "not as hard." Although tasty, his reverence for the "five p salad" was so much so, that everything else paled in comparison. The only thing to ease his maudlin memory of the "five p" was the "Lemon Cake Cookie." "Where do I begin," says Sondre. It was another thing he felt should have made its way into his life before a random stop in Boise, but nevertheless, he's just grateful it did. "The cake-like cookie was so soft and just so, so....ah what the hell, it was simply divine." To wash down this delightful lunch, he went with the hard-to-come-by "blood orange juice." It's a brand called "Italian Volcano" and it was fantastic. These oranges come from an island in Italy and in Sondre's words, "They're delightful and so good for me." For his dinner, he got the Farfalle w/ spinach and sun-dried tomatos with a boneless breast of parmesian chicken. It was far more enjoyable than he anticipated; especially since it was eaten cold, in the hotel, at midnight. He had read about their carrot cake and indulged in a slice for dessert. We all had a taste and agreed the texture was far superior to any carrot cake we've had. You can actually taste the carrots! Kishi Bashi was inspired by Sondre's meatball selection and gave it a whirl saying, "They were pretty good considering they were cold." He also got a monstrous dilled pickle, which was "sour and crunchy as [he] suspected, but a little bit too intense." He also ate half of a tofu bento box described as "pretty good ,but not authentic enough." He found the peruvian coffee from the bar to be noteworthy as well. For lunch, Giancarla bought a tofu bento box, but thought the tofu to be a little dry, while the croissant she paired it with was excellent; both soft and crispy. To drink she got her favorite flavor of Kombucha (gingerberry) for the long van ride and to flush out last night's mistake....gross. For dinner, she bought the "five p salad" and a spinach w/ goat cheese salad, complete with cranberries strewn about, and LOVED it! I dined on a tofu bento box and a small container of the "broccoli & coleslaw salad" both, of which, I felt were perfectly tasty and nutritional. I went a little overboard in the bakery section and got a chocolate chip cookie, lemon cake cookie, glazed ginger cookie, and a piece of Ghirardelli chocolate cake. I shared the ginger cookie with everyone and we all agree, it's delicious. DEFINITELY try one! The chocolate cake was tasty, but no match for the carrot cake. The chocolate chip cookie was VERY good. My lemon-cake cookie met Sondre's hype with a subtle confidence that was neither arrogant, nor bumptious. One should also consider getting the artisan chocolate caramels with the salt sprinkled on top. In short, stop at this place when passing through Boise and stock up!!! ~Dave "Herremannen" Heilman read more

Boise Co-Op - stocking up for the west coast leg - Grocery Near Me - Boise, Idaho

Breakfast burritos F*@# yeah! Thebonly thing is they could've been mixed a little better, but you get to the goodness eventually.

Yes this place is a money pit, but I cant deny that I really loved this grocery store! You can find the freshest, high-quality items here. Even things you dont commonly find. Its set up very nicely and everyone is super friendly. People hang out there to eat or just read the paper. There is also a nice little gazebo to hang out in. Cool place! read more

The best and coolest grocery store I've been to. I have rarely shop anywhere else and when I do I realize how hard it is to find healthy food and how lifeless other grocery stores are. If you are a healthy eater defintely shop here. read more

I H-A-T-E this place. The only reason I give it 2 stars is because they do have some things I can't get anywhere else - but that will change when Whole Foods gets here! (WOOHOO!!) The store is disgustingly dirty, no one in the deli department has ever even heard the word "hair net" and I have seen (with my own eyes) employees coming out of the restroom with their gloves on (EEK!) Not to mention the outdated food (especially dairy) on their shelves ... that is when they actually HAVE the item you are looking for. James S knows exactly what he is talking about. I can't wait until I don't have to shop here anymore! I do realize that Whole Foods is not an inexpensive store. Neither is the Co-Op! I used to shop at Whole Foods in Atlanta. Prices are about the same ... so I rather spend my money on sanitary conditions and food not past the expiration date ... and a company that gives a damn! EDIT 9/29/12 I have to admit that big improvements have been made to the CO-OP. Their biggest improvement was giving the boot to the loser that was their manager and getting someone new. With the LOSER gone, they remodeled and made conditions a lot better. It is important to give credit where credit is due. With that said though, I STILL think they have a long way to go and I am still extremely happy with Whole Foods coming to town. read more

What to say...want a mixed six pack of ID Micro Brews with no attitude from the staff? Check. Feel like a fatty burrito? They've got it. Something quick from the deli? Yep. Some dessert perhaps? Big 10-4. Produce? Of course. This place reminds me of what a Co-op/natural foods store should be. Also, I've only had positive experiences with the staff. Is it more expensive than Costco? You know it, but I'm not at the Co-op to stock a warehouse or battle crowds for that box-store experience. My only complaint is the location since I live in Oregon... read more

I love this place! The selection is great and the amount of local product is encouraging to say the least. I worried that the prices would make regular shopping impossible, another pleasant surprise there as well. The deli and butcher areas had great selections and were extremely helpful. I cannot get enough of the fresh sourdough from the bakery area. Most of the fresh made foods are very good. The only thing I had that was sub-par is their tiramisu. Parking is easily accessible and the wine shop has a phenomenal selection. read more

I really want to like this place because of what it stands for. They have so many great items for healthy foods that you just can't find anywhere else here in town. The time I visit is usually when I can't find it anywhere else. Wish that was a driving reason for me to give a higher review, but...sigh. Positives: a variety of hard to find items, great selection of organic items, feature locally produced foods. Extensive vitamin/supplement section. Great staff who are friendly! Negative: needs to be cleaner or less cluttered, seems pricey (but we'll see once Whole Foods is built). So, while I totally dig what co-ops stand for and offer, this one is usually visited when I can't find it anywhere else. Sadly, I'll even have things shipped to my house instead of making the local drive. So, I give myself 1 star for that! read more

Visiting from a little sister co-op in Alaska, and this is what I hope we'll grow up to be. Clean, bright space with great food, great signage (yep, I'm a marketing geek), great music and helpful, friendly, knowledgeable staff. Have enjoyed sampling food from the deli, baked goodies & locally made kombucha. This is my 3rd and last visit (for this trip): Had to come back to pick up some local gifts. How cool is a co-op wine store and a co-op pet food store? The co-op is another reason I've fallen for Boise. read more

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The Co-op is awesome! I don't have enough good things ti say about the deli, which hosts a high quality self serve hot food and salad bar, a killer sandwich counter, and custom burritos (my absolute favorite). To Co-op is a priceless treasure of Boise. read more