So excited to stop here during our road trip because I knew they would have allergen-friendly items that might be tough for me to find other places. Plus I knew they would have ready-to-eat prepared foods that we could grab and go. In fact, they have a microwave you can use right at the end of the registers. My kids had a lot of fund finding the ingredients for homemade trail mix in the bulk bins too. We bought gluten-free snacks and prepared foods too. I don't mind bagging my own groceries because I do that at Aldi frequently. I love the idea of having an ownership stake in a co-op! How great. My kids said it felt like a mini-Whole Foods. read more

Super friendly service, and even the fellow shoppers were smiling at us. They have a nice bakery, and fresh drip coffee ( but only from 7:00 am -1:00 pm so we missed jt!) but I did buy some cookies (which is what I came for) and a canned oat milk coffee beverage. Would totally belong here if I was a local! read more

I stopped in here while I was on campus, just killing time. This is a really cool idea! Prices are moderate, but the selection is much better than traditional "co-ops". There seemed to be plenty of staff available to help locate items or check out yet they were not "leaning" they were cleaning. I wish I lived closer so I could frequent this place more often, but when I am in the area I certainly will be stopping in for some co-op goodies. read more

Common Ground Food Co-Op - Awards - Grocery Near Me - Urbana, Illinois

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Nice little store that manages to do a lot with the square footage. What's here: you can bring your own containers and tare them for use in the bulk section, the cashiers are able to ring up properly. All the basics are here, the selection isn't huge. Before the mall changed leadership they had a great community bulletin board by the mall entrance into the store, not sure if that's still there. Community health: all staff and many customers are masking! This is great, since Urbana is currently at high community levels and masking indoors is recommended. read more

Friendly, great food options, good menu and I highly recommend! Perfect place for vegans!!

This is a very strange place. They won't bag your groceries and they smirk if you want a receipt. Don't ask any questions, because they have no answers. Prices are high and most items are readily available at other nearby stores for much less. If I was to use one term to describe the attitude of this store, it would be Self-Righteous. read more

Good spot for clean healthy food, but it's a bit pricey. Really like the prepared food but there's three different taxes applied Including a food preparation tax read more

I really enjoy the selection of local produce here and that I don't need to be a member to enjoy all the sweet deals in the store. The selection and array of products is great, year round and I love the new wine and meat sections. I also love their Food For All program that keeps lots of everyday essentials at a low price. My only complaint is that some employees come off as lazy. Frequently, I have better luck finding a product on my own than asking an employee for help. The cashiers almost always make me do ALL the work including: unloading all my items from the handheld basket on the counter, bagging my own items (sometimes starting to ring up customers while I continue to bag), and even will give me trouble when it comes to removing tare weight. I used to work in retail, and I never had the feeling that the customer should do this much work. I mean, they do get paid to work, don't they? read more

I go here when I want special ingredients for things. Fancy Miso, weird veggies, certain local foods, etc. So if you want local, fun food, it's a good spot. The biggest issue I have had lately is the checkout area, and it's actually why I'm writing this review. Consistently, the check out area is BAD. They don't help you pack anything, for one thing. They also don't wait for you to do it. I had to get my own bag out of THEIR pile, I had to pack it myself, and put my own basket back. They didn't even direct me where to place the basket, I could have just left it in the middle of the room (and I did consider that). Meanwhile, the checkout girl said goodbye to me, and started seeing other customers, before I'd even left the register. She proceeded to ignore me, in fact. So I got my stuff packed up and left. It's just shoddy customer service. Like at least give me a minute or 2 to get everything packed up. It's great for the occasional nice item. I would not suggest going here for regular groceries though. read more

A lot of the produce items are old, eg potatoes, tomatoes, green onions, certain fruits etc, even just comparing to county market. Even though I do like the idea, I think the store is not so well maintained. One more thing is that they often do not even ask you or help you pack and then charge you for the paper bags when you purchase a whole lot of stuff and ask for a bag. It is not a big thing, but it is an approach i do not appreciate, especially being used to shop at Trader Joe's and Trader Joe's not only actively asks you if you need bags (given plenty of non-disposable options too) but also pack the food in multiple paper bags when needed to make sure it's sturdy. read more

Great little grocery with a wide selection of organic and speciality foods, including locally-sourced items. Nice salad bar and bulk items section. read more

Apparently I came for opening weekend of their new store. People were outside munching on food, a few gentlemen were playing guitar and violin and the store was busy with people. Hmmm.. I decided to investigate. This store relocated to Lincoln Square in to a new space. The deal is, you become a member, pay a fee, help out the store and you get a discount on your shopping. They have a variety of products, from shampoos, to laundry detergent, (bring your bottle to fill up!), to a variety of your usual supermarket products, bulk items and even some premade food items as well. Hence why people were munching outside. Some really friendly staff members, but I heard one gentleman behind me bitch up a storm about only two registers. I can see how that might be a problem... but I also think that man needed a time out to take a nap, because he seemed a little cranky. I applaud their effort and what they are trying to do, keeping prices down, help locals and provide some healthier food. Since I don't live in town, I didn't get a membership, however, I do hope they have continued success. read more

Love supporting local businesses. Plus, students get 10%off on every Sundays; day-old bake goods are 25%off as well. Perfect to stay healthy on a budget. Fresh produces, deli, cheese, made-to-order sandwiches, and baked goods from Central Illinois Bakery are all available throughout the days. Buying bulks is a great to save money and the earth! I love the organic granolas and unsweetened banana chips which are hard to find... Really enjoy shopping here and get to try a lot of wonderful local products. read more

I used to be more impressed with the Common Ground Food Co-Op. I mean, they have a few select organic or special natural items you can't find elsewhere but the service diminishes the experience. First of all, for the longest time...a woman who works there with very long hair would follow me around and keep an eye on me and my husband....demeaning us with an insulting special treatment. I saw her many times pretending to be busy counting products on a shelf when clearly she was watching me. It was infuriating. I spend hundreds of dollars there. For God's sakes! I had to ignore her behavior constantly. Eventually the long haired woman figured out we were just shopping and quit her behavior. But there are problems with other members there. One guy with blue eyes and glasses who works as a cashier told me to put stuff back on the shelf..O...K....that's not my job buddy. If I decide not to buy a product and I decide to leave it on the counter, that's not my problem. How insulting. Oh, by the way, do NOT eat their nectarines...they are covered with large and various-sized brown fruit flies. I talked to one of the cashiers about it and he meekly muttered, "yeah, the fruit goes bad quickly..." and I suggested that they use one of their own fruit fly traps, and he didn't really say much, he was like "yeah, we should.." but it didn't seem like he was taking it seriously. Their selection is ok...but Natural Gourmet is better. The owner there is nicer and they don't have weird people acting strangely and giving you special treatment. read more

While the Common Ground Food Coop is very swank and pretty for a co-op, I'm not sure what being a co-op means around here. In San Francisco the co-op was the go to place for everyone to get reasonably priced organic, bulk, and just plain healthy food. I miss Rainbow Grocery!!! It seems like you either have to be a rich foody professional, or on food stamps to justify the extremely jacked up prices for everything. Its like looking in the window of Tiffanys for us regular people which is not what a co-op should be. Also why are there so many people working there - maybe thats why everything is so expensive. A small salad from the salad bar costs $10 or more which is ridiculous - wish we had a real peoples co-op around here. read more

To put it simply, I just feel good when I shop here. Yes, some items are expensive but if you look carefully you can find some good deals! My favorite items: Salad bar --- I can get a salad for dinner for two people for around 4 dollars (mixed greens, veggies, quinoa, yummy dressing). Meat --- This can get pricey but many times there are options for 25% off if they're near the expiration date. The quality is second to none and everything you buy is local. I've bought pork, chicken, and steak and have loved everything I bought. Bulk foods --- There is a great selection of coffee, snack items, nuts, etc.... This is a great way to try items in small quantities that you are unsure about! Check Common Ground out if you want to support local farmers and enjoy delicious food! :) read more

Calling this place a COOP is a misrepresentation. What I know a COOP to be is a user owned business that requires a membership and volunteer work as part of the membership which is intended to provide products at reasonable prices for all members due to the low operating costs. The prices of this place are on par with Whole Foods aka Whole Paycheck. You can pay to become a member but its not required to shop and generally membership doesnt confer any tangible benefit. Whole Food prices under the guise of a COOP? No thank you. Admittedly, they have a reasonable selection of produce, bulk foods, meats, and alcohol. read more

Even as a member they are on the side of ridiculously over priced. It's cleaner and more like a normal grocery store than most co-ops. I hit this place up for vegan 'butter' close to home, sale items, or that one produce item impossible to find organic elsewhere. This co-op has more pretensions of grandeur than most. read more

Have you ever walked, biked, or driven (preferably walked or biked!)past Springfield and Wright, seen a sign for something called the Common Ground Food Co-op, and been confused? If you're like many people I have talked to, you might have been- but you don't have to be! Common Ground is a member-owned grocery store carrying many local, specialty, organic, vegan/vegetarian, gluten free, bulk, etc items at reasonable prices. The selection is comparable to Strawberry Fields, though the store itself is much, much smaller. When you walk in the door, don't be fooled by the small space. Common Ground is packed with anything you might need- from toilet paper, to pet food, an impressive bulk selection (bulk nut butter can be good if you are an addict!....just buy a few servings at a time), fresh produce, baked items, and grocery, to name a small chunk. What's more, many of the items are from local or family-owned businesses. Sometimes it's nice to know your flour was ground and your asparagus grown close to home instead of shipped in from some unknown place. Just because this is a Co-op and you have to be a member to shop there, don't think it's some stuffy place to hang out. The staff are all very friendly and you are welcome to take a look around before deciding to join. Membership is easy- just fill out a form and pay $30 (individual) or $50 (family) and you're good to go. If you decide to leave, the fee is completely refundable, too. Check out the website link for more information. read more

For years, C-U residents have debated the need for a large-scale, ethics/eco-conscious health food chain such as Whole Foods or Trader Joe's, with various rounds of petitions being submitted to corporate offices. During that time Common Ground has evolved into a true force to be reckoned with--enough to convert even the most avid lover of the national brands. Once a modest selection of vegetables and granola, the co-op has expanded into a full-service store boasting an espresso bar, salad bar, bakery, bulk food section, stock of local produce/meats/dairy, and beer/wine. People with dietary restrictions and health preferences can find all prepared foods labeled in detail (and organic ingredients clearly indicated). A special shout-out to my deli favorites: forbidden rice salad, Cajun spiced tofu, Asian-baked tofu, and sesame noodles. I find a lot of the soups to be under-seasoned, but there are tasting cups set up for you to sample items before buying. If you stay and eat your meal on the patio, there's access to free Wifi. In the bulk foods aisle, you can bring your own container from home to fill up (if you don't want to waste a plastic bag). I am obsessed with the nut grinders, which allow you to make your own fresh almond or peanut butter (akin to the coffee grinders you find in most groceries). While products seem expensive compared to the standard Midwestern grocery store, you'll likely satisfy every flavor of "alternative" food fad: local, organic, sustainable, gourmet, vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free, fair trade, etc. By virtue of the kind of people who are interested in ethical/eco-friendly food, you'll likely pick up some of the Portlandia vibe, but the co-op also tries to restrain the snobbery (kids get stickers at checkout, most staff are openly warm/helpful, there's an area where you can pick up/donate canvas bags for people who want a re-usable sack, etc.). read more

To start off, I have the most fickle debit card on the planet. It always has money but decides what days it does and does not want to be read on the machine. Today, it decided it didn't want to be read. I wanted some ginseng soda (and only some ginseng soda) for about 2 bucks. My card was not reading after the cashier (who was very cool by the way. Wish I had her name) tried all the tricks in the book (plastic, etc;) Eventually she said it was on the house. I was taken aback and shocked that she would be such an awesome person to a complete stranger. This is now my favorite health food store in central IL and I will find a way to pay her back. Thank you for making my day, awesome cashier (the ginseng soda was dank btw). Also, they have Counter Culture coffee. Not 2 year old stuff you find at Fresh Market, but stuff roasted within the week. That alone is worth 5 stars. EDIT: Recently(a few weeks ago), I did go back in there and bought a ginseng soda. I didn't see the cashier, but I told the additional cashiers the story and said that this ginseng soda is for whoever was craving a ginseng soda that day could have it. I might do it again. No pictures to prove it, but I'm not a douchey YouTube celebrity who craves validation so you'll just have to take my word for it. Always give back or pay it forward, people. read more

I am a big fan of their local items. From simple potatoes to gourmet cheeses, it is nice to get something from up the road. My mom loves their squash pizza read more

This is a great place to get organic & natural foods & products. They also have a large bulk section for staples like grains, seeds, dried fruit, granola, etc. The hours are very convenient & the location is right in Lincoln Square where there is plenty of parking for both cars & bikes. It's a nice & adjacent stop from the weekend farmer's market. The co-op has a classroom/art gallery for seminars and relaxing/dining when the seminars aren't in session. There are outdoor dining areas, which are great when the weather's nice. I do have a habit of stopping by to have a coffee & scone before I pick up groceries. The place is laid back & clean. It's consistently an enjoyable experience. read more

Common Ground gets a lot of flack for being expensive, but really it's only expensive if you're comparing Common Ground's organic items to the conventional items at Schnuck's or Meijer - and several time I've noticed Common Ground's organics were actually priced cheaper than those at the chain stores. You also have to consider the fact that Common Ground is a small, independent grocery store that has to have a higher margin in order to survive - and it tries its best to 'practice what it preaches' in it's business practices, from biodegradable, american-made produce bags to decent employee wages. All those little ethical steps cost money - and since the co-op is community owned, ultimately the money you spend there is going back into the community, rather than in some corrupt CEO's pocket, and that's always a good thing. Apart from my price-justification rant, this is the most awesome grocery store in town. Great deli with vegan options everyday and beautiful produce - often local and organic - that you can't find anywhere else. read more

Found everything i needed and more. The vegan cookies are to die for AND the hummus breakfast sandwich melted in my mouth. Surprised to get such great quality! Totally worth the trip! read more

First things first: You don't have to be a member to shop here, and there is no limit on the number of times you can shop without being a member. However, if you're going to shop here regularly I would highly recommend joining as it make you eligible for some great members only specials. I think the co-op might be one of the best carry-out lunch spots in CU. Tucked in the back corner is a little deli counter with homemade soups that change daily, sandwiches, salads, savory croissants from Pekara, cookies, you name it. The prices are reasonable considering the high quality of the food; a very filling lunch (large soup, croissant, and giant cookie) runs less than ten bucks and leaves you with enough leftovers for a light dinner. I almost hesitate to write this as quantities can be limited and I fear a soup shortage if word gets out! The grocery selection is also good and features a lot of locally raised meat and, when seasonally available, produce. Lots of good bulk, speciality, organic, and vegan items as well. It's certainly more expensive than one of the chain grocery stores, but the food quality is much higher and they are usually less expensive than Strawberry Fields, which is pretty much their only direct competition. The location is kind of odd during the winter months as it's located on the east exterior entrance to the old Lincoln Square mall, right next to Cardinal Fitness. However, this location is perfect during the summer as it is right next to the Farmer's Market and makes for a great Saturday morning shopping. The staff here are always friendly and extremely helpful. They post recipes with the produce with ideas for how to use items that may be unfamiliar to some, which I really appreciate. Over all, I'd say this is the best grocery in town if you're willing to spend a little extra for really great stuff. If you're on a budget, it's a good place to supplement your regular grocery shopping with some local or specialty items. read more

Common Ground has a wonderful selection. Delicious daily soups, great coffee, beautiful salad bar. They stock local, organic and delicious produce, meats, and cheeses. Very nice wine and beer selection. I love it all. BUT! THE STAFF!!!! These people are the best people in the world. They are helpful, and kind, and they make the store a real pillar of the community. read more

Common Ground Food Co-Op - My favorite potato leek soup. - Grocery Near Me - Urbana, Illinois

Our favorite spot for great customer service, dairy free options, snacks, fruits, veggies, salad bar! We make a point to try something different each time we go! read more

I'm so glad I found a co-op near Champaign! They have all the products a vegetarian health-nut could dream of. And the employees are not just friendly, but they're knowledgable on all of their products. I even got a recommendation of one employee's favorite Kale. I plan to do all of my grocery shopping here from now on. They even have wine!! :) read more

The daily made burritos are unmatched for the price 10/10 would eat every day. On top of that they carry a bunch of great, obscure beers PLUS some you can buy individually! If you want bud light or something you're gonna be sad as hell buddy. (Imo that's a good thing) If only other places operated like common ground does! read more

One of the healthiest and most convenient places to get groceries on campus. Yes, prices are high for most students, but low compared to other local health food stores. They have a variety of everything from organic cereal to environmentally friendly cleaning products. However, my favorite items are the local foods. They have a lot of local produce, though the selection obviously things during the winter. The local aspect allows you to discover just how good truly fresh produce can taste. Eating local actually brought more variety into my diet, such as "watermelon" radishes, which are pink fleshed, and the delicious alien-like ground plant known is the kohlrabi. Other great local items are the goat cheese and the artisan bread from nearby Monticello (wish it were sliced though). They also have a bulk section with nut butters, spices, teas, grains, and pasta, which is nice since it allows you to buy what you need. Other more typical health food staples are here too, like Reed's ginger ales, brown cow yogurt (yum!) and Newman's Own cookies. They also now sell local meat from Triple S Farms, which is grass-fed and pasture-raised. The other bonus of coming here is that if you join you can get involved with potlucks and other events the Co-op plans. These are fun and a great way to meet people in the area and hear about developments in the local food movement. There is currently a membership fee, which is refundable if you relocate and you can try it a couple of times before you join. However, soon they are planning to open it up completely to the public. Location is a plus. It's right by the Engineering campus, so its one of the easiest places for car-fee on-campus dwellers to shop for healthy food. read more

Sandwichs, Pizza, Soups, Burritos, Salads, etc Meats, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free, etc read more

CG Food Coop is a great little store. They have a great deli and a great selection of dry goods and spices. The selection is small in some areas but the quality is very good. Also, the people are very polite and helpful. I read several reviews that talked about unfriendly workers. I go to the Coop at least twice a week and have never once encountered an unfriendly worker. As an alternative to what you will find in big chains, CG Coop is a huge win. I consider it a compliment to other stores though and not a replacement. read more

What's up with review of the Common Ground Co-op comparing it (negatively) to Whole Foods Markets??? I mean come on: Whole Foods is a gigantic chain of corporate grocery stores. This co-op is a terrific, small-town shop that offers good food in a nice setting. I shop the co-op for massive bricks of fresh tofu, bulk foods, and assorted other tasty vegan treats. The co-op is a hub of activity in Urbana with bike racks out front. read more

Common Ground is everything a coop should be. The people are great, there is a wonderful community of shoppers/owners, the selection is more than adaquate, and the atmosphere is just perfect. There are lots of great classes to take advantage of, a nice selection of local produce (best in town next to the farmer's market), and the seasonal displays at the front are really nice. I also love the fun events held there like the annual seed swap and the occasional music performance on the patio. I highly recommend taking full advantage of this coop, it's much more than a grocery store. read more

It's wonderful to have a great food co-op in Urbana, IL since there are no Trader Joe's or Whole Foods in the local area. My wife and I moved away so we were able to sell our share back and that was great to know we could be apart of the community effort to sell better food. Since their expansion, they now offer so much more like salad bars and demo food classes. Staff are always friendly and VERY helpful and knowledgeable. They all seem like they love their jobs and it shows! If we were ever to move back to Champaign, we would definitely become members again! read more

Common Ground is almost like my second home. I go there 3-4 times a week it seems - either to pick up something I forgot, do my weekly grocery shopping, or grab lunch. I don't think I've ever been in another store that is so full of helpful and welcoming employees, with the shelves so stocked with quality and local items. The Co-Op also has a selection of classes where you can learn anything from how to cook Thai food to floral arrangements, and these classes are either free or reasonably priced with the option to receive assistance if you are unable to pay the fee. Common Ground is so much more than a grocery store - it's a community resource and hub for growing and learning together. read more

This is a great place to get healthy, organic foods! I travel down to champaign for work from Chicago, so I am very used to Whole Foods and their hot bar/ salad bar. So, my only recommendation to make this 5-stars would be to have hot food options. Everything that they do have is really tasty and all reasonably priced as well. read more

I've been here twice so far--once just to check it out and browse, and a second time to actually go shopping. This store is small, but they have a lot of variety and it's clear that their stock has been carefully chosen. I was mostly shopping for items that were on sale (their co-op deals really are deals) but if I'd come in with an actual grocery list I'll bet I'd have been able to find everything. Their bulk section is really nice. I bought some vanilla almond granola to go with the yogurt I also purchased and OMG it's wonderful. No complaints about any of the food I've purchased there--it's all great quality. As for the staff, they greeted me but weren't overly friendly or overbearing. I liked that, since I wanted to take my time and browse without feeling rushed. I'm sure if I'd asked for help, they would have been more than willing to answer my questions. I'll definitely be back, and might consider becoming an owner. This is definitely the kind of local store that it feels good to support. read more

A lot has changed at this place since I wrote my last review... all for the better. It's a lot bigger now and the staff is super friendly and helpful. They have great vegetarian and vegan options and a wonderful salad and soup bar. I love their ready made sandwiches! Try the egg-less salad sandwich, it is awesome. I have tried to reproduce their recipe to no avail. Because of the large selection and not terribly marked up prices I'd say this is the place to go if you're looking for organic foods and meat and dairy substitutes. Otherwise, the Urbana Meijer and Shnuck's are still your best option for fruits and veggies since they're so much more affordable, still fresh, and much cheaper. read more