Great service and local shop for getting groceries and snacks. Pretty crunchy. Frie plus staff.

The Food Bin is not a clean place. The people are uppity and moody. The room where the sandwiches are made is humid, moldy, and dirty depending on who has the low paying chore of making the sandwiches that day they may or may not wash the lettuce and other produce very well or not at all. The sandwich preparer does not usually have a food preparer certificate, which is required in California. If you're thinking of getting a sandwich, just go to Whole Foods or New Leaf and get a legit sandwich made right in front of you, if you don't like it, they'll make you another one at no charge usually. The Food Bin and Herb Room are outdated. The place is like an old hippie that smokes cigarettes instead of cannabis, NO BUENO. read more

I've been shopping at the Herb Room for over 30 years. Its a Santa Cruz icon. Do not pass up a chance to pop inside and get some really great Santa-cruzy stuff I've bought jewelry, candles, soaps, lotions, salves, and tinctures here. Great spot to get gifts for your vibey friends too. Love this place. read more

Food Bin - Herb Room sign - Grocery Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

I purchase a Sandwich from food bin store in Santa cruz every week. This week I realized there were bugs in my lettuce. When I called and asked for an update the manager said ' i don't know what to tell you my produce is organic" These were pre-made sandwiches and she explained that she didn't throw any other sandwiches away made with the same lettuce. This is just straight up unprofessional and nasty. Super sad because this was my favorite store !!! read more

Best Organic Watermelon in all of Santa Cruz county. I bought one for the Fourth of July this year . My second this season just as sweet as the first . So ripe, as I cut into it, it split right open. Bursting with the sweetest flavor ,bright red and juicy. None other in this town can compare to the organic watermelon at Food Bin . Will not disappoint. You like watermelon you will Love this one ,only at this location. Get some .Summertime favorite read more

Food Bin - Organic Watermelon - Grocery Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

For many years, I have harbored an intense, irrational fear of the bulk section at grocery stores and co-opts. I have been overwhelmed by steps and procedures, containers and labeling processes, and the risk of dropping the product on the ground and facing intense social scrutiny. However, when I came in today and saw that the sugar in a bag I needed for my lemon-limeade on this 80 degree day cost $7(!), my frugality overcame my anxiety and I made my way to the bulk section. The bulk section here is actually very nice! There are lots of help showing you what to do along the process. It did take me a while to figure out how to do it (I was kinda zonked) but I made it out alive. What a day. You can't count on low prices when you come here, or that they will have the one thing you're looking for. But you can always count that there will be hot and cool workers helping you out. And isn't that what life is about? read more

Buy the drunken goat cheese. Staff is very friendly. Prices are a bit high but it's worth it and close. Goods are great. Again, buy the drunken goat cheese. read more

Nice little market with yummy healthy food items.Staff is friendly and knowledgeable in their products.I recommend this place read more

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What an amazing neighborhood store. Small but jam packed with lots produce and groceries. I love shopping bulk bins and have been seriously missing it during the pandemic. The Food Bin and herb room thank goodness are still offering their multitude of bulk items, with the added bonus that they pack and label everything for you. Full service! The staff was as friendly as could be, and measured out exactly the amounts of everything that I asked for. The prices for bulk items are quite reasonable, especially the herbs and spices. When I brought the spices home I could clearly see and smell how much fresher and more fragrant all the items I got were compared to the supermarket stuff I had on hand. Will be back often! read more

I have been walking here to get food (I walk there a lot more often now than I used to) for the past 2-3 years now and its always amazing. Fruits are always juicy and fresh, Food is always high quality and cheap, and employees are always kind. 100% recommend. read more

Perfect place to pick up a number of snacks and drinks. They really pack a lot of stuff in the small store. The main store has produce, dry goods, snacks, drinks, and a bulk section. During COVID, you'll need to ask one of the staff members to assist you with the bulk items, but all the staff members were very friendly. Prices were very competitive or cheaper for bulk items. The herb room next door was great for refilling any of our spices at home at a much cheaper price than the big box stores. There was also a great selection of loose leaf tea and packaged tea. Worth checking out if you're in the area or passing through. read more

This is one of the super fain local shops that makes santa cruz what it is. There is a tiny surface lot with room for about ten cars. If needs must there is a lot of parking down laurel (the side across from Emily's I mean.) and upon occasion folks will make use of the discount store lot and walk over. This is logically and physically divided into two spaces, the other of which is called the herb room. The herb room is just different enough to warrant it's own separate review, thus this will be specific to the grocery part. This is a smaller store. I've been in gas stations (particularly in oklahoma where they take their gas stations very seriously) that were larger. The aisles are narrow Also high. it seems like they go up practically to the ceiling.Ask for help with items way up.) and will barely allow two people to walk down. The back wall is all freezer/coolers and the produce is off to the left just inside the door. This store has a strong focus on organic non gmo sustainable product. There will be no coke and chips in stock ever, but if you are wanting vegan or lactose intolerant, gluten free or any other food this is the place to be. Between this spot and the herb room across the parking lot there is absolutely nothing that cannot be purchased in bulk. Nuts, dried fruits, supplements, soaps, oils(both cooking and cleaning), pasta, grains, flours, candies, carob, coconut, edible seaweeds(note the plural. there's multiple types it seems. And they are all here.) spices, beans, honey,and what seems like everything you'd ever want to cook with are racked up in bulk bins. If you are interested in an community supported agriculture agreement the food bin does those including one with local fishermen. While the quality here is pretty good the pricing can be high. Having said that there are bargains to be had. The sale pricing is typically better then anywhere in town (for organic non gmo stuff. Non organic at another store can be cheaper) and buying in bulk can be a great cost saver. All in all this is a great find for the gourmet,vegan,sustainable or health focused kitchen. read more

Food Bin - The daily/weekly specials are pretty awesome. - Grocery Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Not speaking on their produce aisle... But for the limited amount of space they have and the type of grocer Food Bin is, selling on local Santa Cruz goods, I expected a much better selection considering its Santa Cruz. Not the case. Friendly staff, good intention, but what's up with the two wasted aisles of crappy selections of processed goods? I hope they sell less crap in the processed foods aisles and more environmentally responsible and health conscious stuff us hippies (100% their clientele) care to support, both outside and inside of our bodies. Kudos on the bulk Castile soap, but why only one kind? Can be a bit cleaner as well, looks kinda grungy/sloppy for a health inspected type of business. Their Herb Room, on the other hand, is a must! read more

For those visiting in summer and fall, try the cold brew. It's super caffeinated. These can be had for as little as $4 when on sale. It's a convenient little market but, as it was when it out, the prices are higher than their local competition. They're working it and it's always been busy every time I'm in there read more

Food Bin - Try out one of their cold brewed coffee's. It will get you nicely amped up. Sometimes there even on sale for four bucks instead of five - Grocery Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

The produce is great, service is delightful, it is just the perfect neighborhood spot!

A small neighborhood grocery store that has everything you need. Ran over there to pick up a few bulk ingredients for dinner and they had everything I needed. A lot fits into such a small store! Staff is also very friendly and helpful. read more

Everything I need here. One of the employees made it their mission to help me find something I needed. Really friendly. Food selection here is great. Highly recommend read more

Great little community health food store . They have been around " forever " and pack a lot into a small storefront . Prices are average .Next door to a natural food mart . Convenient to pick up all your health goods ! They have their own parking lot.They have refills on many Dr Bronner soap scents . Other refills & bulk items offered too . Lots of essential oils . Edible grade even . Many vitamins & supplements and live food cultures .Very knowledgable yet laid back staff . No one pushing you to buy anything , but very helpful if needed . read more

This is regarding the Herb Room. I love this place, it's too bad that it doesn't love me. The owner has followed me around the store every time I come in by myself. My last experience there was quite traumatic. I walked in at the same time as some other customers; when I got through the door, the woman at the counter singled me out and asked me, "what are you doing here?" Or something along those lines. I was taken aback because she didn't ask that question to the other customers (who all had a certain skin tone different from mine), she just asked me that in an antagonistic manner. I embarrassingly answered, "I'm here to buy dental floss." then grabbed my dental floss and paid, despite wanting to look at other supplements. I was going to leave this alone, but it's stuck in my mind that such a wonderful store can have people working there with a huge prejudice against people who look like me. I honestly hope they can fix this. I am a paying customer who has never stolen anything from this establishment and I expect to be treated as such. read more

When I went to college this place was right off the bus line so I could grab some fruit before going to my friends' houses. Went the other day just for kicks and giggles.. Inspirational sign.. check Bins.. check overall decent enough place in a pinch read more

Friendly store has many items that I like, like ready to eat bananas, good quality avocados, and especially Companion breads.

Best thing about the Food Bin: OPEN TIL MIDNIGHT! Its the only place to shop organic after 9 PM, with great vegetarian and vegan studybreak snacks. Its expensive, but that's what you get for having a tiny natural food store in the heart of the Westside. Great selection of bulk foods, coffees and pastas, chocolates and natural treats, but the produce is better bought at the Farmers Markets: http://santacruzfarmersmarket.org/ The 2nd Best thing: Its in the same place as the Herb Room; local alternative medicine pharmacy and natural health store. A wide Variety of Homeopathic, Ayurvedic and Aromatherapy Products, herbs and vitamins to keep you feeling healthy, lotions, healthy Cosmetics and unbleached tampons!, Chinese Patent Formulas for wellness of body and toys and books for wellness of mind. read more

Food Bin - yum - Grocery Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

I love the Food Bin so much. It's just the best little hippy neighborhood market. The people who work there are always so kind and helpful, often offering to help bring my things to my car or giving me free samples to take home. Their produce is top notch, and their prices are just as good if not better than larger markets. Love you, Food Bin! read more

The Food Bin is part of The Food Bin & Herb Room. The Food Bin has food... of the hippie kind.. ;) The Herb Room has herbs and other natural products of the herby natural kind. I am not well versed in herbs so I'll leave that to someone else but suffice it to say, it's rather amazing in there. The Food Bin is small, but sweet. Because of how late they're open... midnight every night I beleive.. I kind of think of them as the hippie 7-11. ;) Need to get your late night organic, free range soy rice dream fix? This is the place to do it. They have a small selection of produce and about 4 small aisles of other goods including frozen and dairy, canned and dry, lots of whole bean coffee, teas, chocolate.. and things like that. I don't recall seeing meats or too many household goods but I wasn't looking for them at the time. I actually only went in to get half and half but I came out with a bag of kumquats, Strauss organic vanilla ice cream (which is to die for), some Amy's organics canned and frozen goods on sale, JavaBobs Guatamalan dark roast coffee, and a bar of dark chocolate with pink peppercorns (which is also to die for). I tend to do that. Anyway... my favorite thing about this place is their sign out front. They usually have a nice saying posted that changes every week. Sometimes it's just one word... like "Listen", or "Love". Sometimes it's a little saying. It's such a nice little gesture and somehow it's very comforting to me. Thank you Food Bin. :) read more

It's amazing that a store this small can have everything you need at very reasonable prices. The items are so well curated and everything is easy to find..Very professional and courteous staff as well. read more

The only reason I EVER go into the Food Bin is if I'm feeling too lazy to make my way to New Leaf or Staff of Life, where prices are cheaper and staff much more helpful and friendly. The staff at the Food Bin manage to accomplish attitudes that are obnoxious and indifferent all at the same time; a difficult feat. I will use you for the occasional late night dessert fix, but other than that you and your lame staff can suck it. ...it's embarrassing that on any given day I can find better service at McDonald's. read more

The highest priced "health" food I've ever encountered. Very small, not enough variety to bother shopping here. Parking is a real Bitch! Rude workers--one time I was chewing gum and was looking at the bulk foods, while three UCSC co-eds came in and sampled about three bins each and left, meanwhile, I go on shopping in the rest of the store, get accosted by the owner?? that I should pay for what I took out of the bins. I said--Yea, I'm chewing--GUM!!!!!--and showed him my wad and left. I haven't been back since. Of course, the co-eds were let to go free to ovulate another day. And word of advice, be very wary of five star reviews. But of course, you knew that. read more

This is so sad....because you think these guys would be a beacon for the community. It's funny because they have these super positive signs on any given day, but you know that saying " Actions speak louder than words" ?, Don't talk about positive vibes when you can't actually have them. For the owner...maybe you need to hire people that are more down to earth, that have the awareness and vision to be kind towards everyone regardless of what they look like or what they are wearing, because it isn't about a fashion show it's about creating community, it's about having vision for EVERYONE to receive good service not just their friends. It's hurting your business. I live within blocks of the foodbin and I find myself cringing every time I want to go over there for an item. The staff is so snobby....why? I read some of the reviews from alot of people on your page and just about everyone feels this way. why be so pretentious? when you are providing a service to the community and without the community you would not have a business. This is why Yelp is great...it spreads the word. The produce is gross it's not even fresh half the time, so why not treat your customers right? the staff barely talks to the customers, they barely look at you, they need to be trained on how to be a human being. thank you if you read this long review...I just see that it's time that we really elevate ourselves, our communities and our store owners...We are connected..please act like we are. read more

This place is dirty and over-priced. I say that only because I know that you can get the same stuff for less at New Leaf, Staff of Life, or even Wholefoods. It's also very cramped and kind of dark. But I do like the fig tree in their little garden, and that they are open until midnight. I think that might be about all they have going for them... read more

A friend recommended that we drop by and check out the food bin for all our bulk item needs. I was excited about a new place to pick up my non gmo organic noshings. This place is really great in concept...but... They have a serious rodent problem. I didnt see any with the naked eye...but you could smell the urine and feces...its unmistakable. I use to have rats as pets and I know that smell anywhere. There was also a cloud of death flies near the dairy case. Now..ive seen some rough places in my life.. taking risks gastronomically speaking... but this place takes the cake. Unfortunately this is probably an infestation they are dealing with and its super hard to get these pests out of the building. I would recommend a they just rip everything out, bleach it down, and remodel. Pretty costly endeavor. So I guess I understand why they havnt been able to keep up on this issue. But as a consumer of food.. I couldn't bring my self to take such risks. read more

Pros: Open Late Obscure things make their way here- Near my house, I can walk here. Cons: Produce: Overpriced, limited selection, not so fresh Customer Service: I requested lactose-free milk, which they promised to carry, but never did. OK most lactose-free never make their isles. Price- Over priced For sure, including the herb room. Profiling- when I asked for assistance in locating pine nuts, someone there was like, "um its expensive", (yeah, I know, anybody requesting pine nuts, knows) what happened to the kombucha on tap? Edit 2015 and rating change from 3 to 4. Probably the best selection of late night dark chocolate. Between blowing off steam at Pacific Edge and yum Fairtrade organic dark chocolate from Herb Room, I was able to keep an even keel during grad school. Shhhh would've gone down. read more

I have to agree with the other reviews -- this place gets 3 stars for convenience and offering a natural / health food but their selection is limited. Pros: - Convenient location. - Natural / organic products Neutral: - Staff aren't especially helpful but they aren't rude. Cons: - Limited selection - Pricey - SMALL parking lot read more

Can we sing sufficient praises for a natural food store open till midnight? For buying your groceries to fabulous music? To being exposed to all kinds of wonderful art while you shop? I'm a total (if unexpected) food snob, and the food bin is wonderful. They have lots of local produce, a fairly extensive selection of bulk items, and personality oozing out its doors. Fairly priced, friendly and helpful staff, and staff recommendations all over the place. And they're open to midnight. Midnight, folks! And the herb room is fun, too. Lots of GREAT bulk black teas! read more

I would come here over New Leaf any day. I used to pass this place all the time and kind of chalked it up to be some hippy establishment where everything was no name, half rotten, and in bins. Like a larger version of the Kresge food CO-OP. But no, I ventured in here the other day on my way home from the abbey and stopped in to see if they had the yogurt I was jonesing for. Not only did they have it, but I realized it was really just a less pretentious version of new leaf that is open until midnight! Now I've been coming back fairly regularly, if you're a vegetarian like me you will understand why this place is so great. Tons of tofu and fake meat products, plus really fresh produce and snacks. Cheese leaves more than a little to be desired (thus, minus one star), but everything else mostly makes up for it. The staff is friendly, but pretty distract-able most of the time. But hey, it's not like you need a lot of attention anyway. read more

I work nearby and dropping by and shopping at the Food Bin is a pleasant diversion during the day

This new cashier man Atticus is such a dream, he's always so helpful knowledgeable and really runs the place well, and helps me through even personal things, it's always a pleasure to see his face and he always helps me with whatever I need and to get me through the day, he's the only reason I'm pushing this review to 5 stars as I've never been helped so well at the food bin as I have by Atticus, always so encouraging and supportive! read more

The food bin is A true find. Locally Well known Independent with great service,pricing and product.Parking is superior to any grocery in Santa Cruz. read more

Food Bin is a Santa Cruz institution. Their selection of produce is well stocked, seasonal, and informatively labeled. You can always find local, organic food here. Sure, it might be a little more expensive than the other, MUCH larger stores, but it's locally owned and operated and has a charm that some people take the wrong way. As far as the negative reviews are concerned, to each his/her own, but you're probably reading the relaxed attitude of the cashiers as a personal insult. Trust me, they're not judging you, you probably do plenty of that yourselves. (plural you, like vosotros) The hours kept by this establishment set it apart from other similar stores. Open until midnight, Food Bin has countless times been a life-giving source of late night nutriment for myself as well as the throngs I routinely see in there after 9pm (when most nearby grocery stores close). Lastly, one of their best attributes is their delicious bulk food section. At modest prices one can acquire nuts, cereal, beans, dried fruit, candy, soup mix, coffee, peanut butter, oil, vinegar, and more. Not to be missed. The adjacent Herb Room is a good source of medicine and, well, herbs, including some hard to find ingredients such as fenugreek. Thanks to both for many a delightful grocery shopping experience! read more

Newsflash: hippy/hipster/yuppy pretension is a mainstay of Santa Cruz, not just the Herb Room/Food Binge. Get over it or go live in Oklahoma. I shop at natural foods stores to get healthy, natural, non-corporate products not to be coddled by overattentive staff that probably don't really care anyway. As a lifelong resident of Santa Cruz, the Food Bin/Herb Room compound holds many fond memories for me. It looks basically the same as it did when I was a child. The courtyard is a bit overgrown these days and there's different posters on the walls but going in there is like walking through a time-warp. The parking has always been a problem so park on Laurel if you can or...RIDE YOUR BIKE! My problem with the Food Bin is that is literally smelled like a rat cage the last time I went in there. Why would I buy anything, especially fruits, veggies or bulk items if I have to be worried about catching the Plague? In all of my years patronizing this store I have NEVER encountered this before. In years past, I have bought all different foods there. Yes, it's overpriced but as other Yelpers have said, it's convenient and open until midnight. It's great for getting a snack or specialty item but not for doing a week's shopping. I don't know when or if I'll be going back after last night's experience. The management seriously needs to step it up if they want me back. I would love to change my 1 star into 5...Oh, and the sign on Mission needs to be better utilized. Bring back the witticisms for my daily commute! Thanks. read more

Open late. Inspiring and sometimes laugh out loud funny markee statements. For a teeny tiny store it seems to carry the most important items. And the best deals around. Seriously. Shopping here will not require your whole paycheck. The parking is sort of annoying. Just park down the street and enjoy a short walk. Well worth a look / see. read more