Consorzio Agrario basically translates to food co-op, and should feel very similar to any local food co-op in the states. It's also feels similar to Whole Foods, as far as large corporations go, but the stores are quite small.
It's hard to get a feel for how their prices compare to other stores as a tourist, but I really enjoyed browsing the higher end items for souvenirs. They have a great selection of balsamic vinegar, oil, pasta, cured meat, cheese, and panforte.
They also have a deli section with a variety of meats and cheeses. I'd definitely recommend trying the Wild Boar sausage (look for Cinghiale on the packaging). The sausages have different ratios of boar to other meats, so ask someone behind the counter if you're interested.
Opposite the deli section is a separate bakery section, where you tear off a number from a roll and wait for it to be called. When your number is up, go to the counter and order from a variety of fresh pizza, baked bread, and schiacciata. I hadn't heard of schiacciata before, but it's a soft and chewy flatbread. It's delicious and absolutely worth trying, even if you struggle trying to order it in Italian!
The stores I went to were clean, well lit, well staffed, friendly, and busy. The only negative I can come up with would be price, but it's hard to be objective about pricing as a tourist. The balsamic vinegar gets expensive very quickly, starting around $15-20 Euro for average bottles and climbing to $70 Euro for 150ml for the good stuff. I wonder if I'll be able to notice a difference in quality whenever I get around to trying them!
Overall, excellent store and great shopping experience. I visited the Consorzio Agrario in Siena at least five or six times while I was staying there, and never got bored of poking around. read more