I have been a long time customer of this store. People used to be friendly there and wanting to help you! I called this morning 12-01-2024 at 10:37AM (PT). I was inquiring about their selection of Kimchi. I was transferred to the "cooler" department. A woman answered (no one identifies themselves professionally on the phone when answering) and I was trying to explain what I was looking for and she kept interrupting me and saying "What exactly is your question"? Well if she would just listen she would have heard my question! She said it 4 times to me and I finally said "I am so sorry to have bothered you, bye bye"! I hung up and then I called back to speak to a manager. Well, the same man answered again and he was also curt. I was nice and in a cheerful Sunday mood and apparently they are all miserable! He said I would have to write a letter of complaint. There is no management since it is a Co-Op... Well, you just lost my business forever. I am a native San Franciscan and we all know that the city is not friendly like it once used to be. I have a great apartment so I stay here but one day I am OUT OF HERE!! So, I have been doing all of my errands over in Marin!! The people in Corte Madera, Mill Valley, Sausalito, Tiburon, and all over there are wonderful! It is worth the bridge fare to have pleasant people around me plus it is safe to walk around!! I discovered Good Earth Natural Foods! One location in Mill Valley and one in Fairfax. I called and they have all of the bulk oats, kimchi, wonderful loose teas and all of the things that I was buying at Rainbow! The two things they definitely have that Rainbow no longer has is me for a customer and they are FRIENDLY!! They are called "Good Earthlings"!! THEY ARE!! BYE BYE RAINBOW AND HELLO GOOD EARTH MARIN!!! read more

Rainbow is pretty awesome. They have stellar fresh produce (and a really nice mushroom selection) as all of the healthy junk food you could ever dream of. Delightful things like Recess beverages. Home goods! An extensive selection of healthy drugstore items and even gifts, to boot. Just all sorts of cool things. They are a great option for those who want to focus on shopping locally. The employees though...generally are not so cheerful. I would give 5 stars for self-checkout. I think it's awesome that it's a worker owned co-op but at the same time, I haven't vibed with a single person behind the counter here. Are they happy? Or are they happy they don't have to be... *corporate happy?* The worst part is when I am buying alcohol, which is a lot (because once again, the selection is 'chef's kiss'). On the receipt, if you receive one, there will be a little line that states, 'Age Verified:' and then there will be the age that the checker has *ascertained* you to be (they never ask to see the card itself) and it varies drastically. However, today, one cashier did break the mold and asked to see my physical card. Although I didn't ask for the receipt, the guy handed me one anyway, with a smirk. It showed me as being 'verified' as a decade older than I am in actuality. I don't understand all the fanfare of demanding to see my ID if one is not going to input the information properly. This is also a good point in the review to mention that I have been overcharged on more than one occasion. So yah apart from the lack of friendliness and the low-key fraud; it's a great place! read more

This is one of the worst experiences I had in a store. The staff is rude, impatient and arrogant. Find a better one. It's better for you. read more

Wow I haven't been back here for a while. This market has everything a premium SF grocer is all about. Pro tip first get online and sign up for a reward account then use it at the co-opt. Love the select your own herbs and herbal tea section, enormous selection of local cheese, chocolate (and other fair trade chocolate), nice grocery section with a diverse selection of veggies and fruits. There are some products that are more commercial now, everyday brands, less small batch. There are also trinkets, baskets, homeopathic medicine, Xmas decors You can find many great coffee beans here from local famous coffee shops as well as big west coast names like stumptown. We were here to buy olive oil but end up walking away with many great foodie finds. read more

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Parking here is a mess now with long wait times in a long line of cars stretched out to the street and sometimes in the bike lane in a neighborhood without much availble street parking. Motorcycle/scooter parking is also harder since the city removed those street spaces on the Folsom side a few years ago. Motorcycles can try to squeeze into small spaces inside the garage after waiting in the car line or risk riding past thsoe cars in line to try to find a place where cars can't fit and won't knock them over when they open their doors. But motorcyclists risk the annoyance of car drivers and the parking attendent, as there are NO consistent parking rules among attendents or posted signs. Men working cash registers or are parking attendents can be indifferent, unappologetic, or rude if you do NOT follow their rules or if you point out their over-charge mistakes. The men working the aisles to assist customers are friendly as are the women who work all jobs there. The Rainbow website customer request/comment form will NOT submit, so don't waste your time there either. I don't often see many customers of color shopping here nor employed here as is also the case at Whole Foods. Both stores are not inexpensive. But NO ONE at Whole Foods has ever treated me the way some male employees at Rainbow have, so I am DONE with having to be on guard while shopping at Rainbow! I have always been polite and friendly (some employees can confirm this) and especially as a women painfully aware of the risks of confrontations with men. read more

Wow. I get lost in here on the regular. So much good food and drink. Healthful focus on ingredients, sustainability, and quality. Wonderful bath and body section. Knowledgeable staff. 10% off with EBT. EXPENSIVE. Fabulous coffee/tea selection. Support local. Support cooperatives. Support Rainbow. read more

Worst, I mean the WORST experience EVER!!! I came in on a day when the registers are experiencing system failures at the check out. The machine didn't register my payment the first time. The lady at the cashier insisted that I pay again even after I showed her that my Amex card had already processed the payment through the app on my phone. It made no sense to me that she would trust a machine that was already experiencing known failures over the American Express app that's working; but, I caved in to her insistence and paid a second time with the same card. Days later, after I confirmed that this place has double charged me, I called the Amex customer service. They said I would have to try to resolve the issue first with the vendor. So I called Rainbow. After putting me on hold a couple time and transferring me back and forth between the departments, the guy said I had to go back into the store for a refund. Again, for no good reason, this seemed like a blatant attempt to inconvenience the refund process. I live a 30-minute drive from this store. I use to come here once or twice a month in support of a local, co-op business; even though, most of their goods can be found at cheaper prices in Whole Foods or other organic markets. After wasting hours of my time they tried to make amends with a 10%-off coupon, which was a slap in the face. How big of a purchase do I need to make to recuperate the time I've lost? (I generally spend $90-$110 each visit) From what originated from a faulty system and a lack of proper staff training, they had made it crystal clear that I, the customer, is not their priority. Or maybe the co-op business model is so flawed that the employees prioritize their own gains over the customer experience. I, for one, will never shop here again. I will stick with Whole Foods where I, the customer, will be appreciated and things like this will not let happen. read more

The best selection and best quality of sustainable farms and localized food producers. One of the oldest businesses for bulk sustainable and organic ingredients. Great cheese and dairy program. read more

I love the products and the great variety of organics, etc. But, the cashiers seem to have serious problems. I shop here on a regular basis. One day about three years ago my bill seemed really high. I checked my receipt, and I had been charged about $40 for 4 lbs of golden bell peppers instead of 4 lbs of potatoes. They gave me a refund without a problem, but after that, I started checking my receipts. About 30% of the time there's an expensive error not in my favor. I've been erroneously charged for bulk items or produce fairly frequently. Most recently, I bought three lemons and was charged for over a pound of lemons at about $15. They always refund the error, but still. I don't know what's up, but at the very least they seem to need more training and attention to the task. read more

This is a review of the goods and staff; there's way too much stuff to do pricing/value. There is def plenty of expensive stuff but also some cheapish tasty options comparable to Trader Joe's prices In general I'd say come here even if you just want to check it out. There are infinity random snacks to try and individually they're not too exp Multiple walls of trail mix ingredients, powders, snack, stored in tubes with a release mechanism that uses gravity to dispense - no dirty hands grabbing through the supply Staff is friendly and everyone has a couple snacks to recommend. There are like 6 or 7 different kimchis, etc I spent half an hour exploring maybe 1/8 of the store Big fan and def coming back read more

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Fresh, clean, friendly. 10% Senior Discount. Regular shopper discount. Quality produce. Bulk staples that are organic.

Rainbow Grocery is a MUST VISIT grocery store for a foodie. Every time I go, I browse every aisle to see what new and interesting products I should try. They have water buffalo milk (creamier and more delicious than cow milk), apple juice made from Granny Smith's apples, a wide selection of specialty cheeses, nut butters, etc. I love that Rainbow Grocery makes it easy to cut down on plastics by offering oils, vinegars, bath products and more that you can bring home in your own reusable containers (or buy some there). Save your spice containers when you run out, and refill them at Rainbow. Because they only offer organic produce that is on the pricey side, I'd say Rainbow is a fun supplement to your regular grocery store. read more

Rainbow Grocery - Delicious water buffalo milk - Grocery Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've shopped at Rainbow since it's days on 16th St., sure there are things I wish were different, but it's as store with things that I want and the bulk section is handy, but today when I tried to return something I was in a round about way called a liar. I had no recourse but to swallow the 25 dollars I spent and spend another 25 dollars to replace the item. I won't stop shopping there, but had to get this off my chest. read more

Fav chichi grocery store, produce divine and thoughtful selection of products. Helpful for gluten-free, soy-free, no dairy no meat diet im on rn. read more

This place is the best! So much to choose from and many people eager to share their knowledge with you and I was able to share some with them that they were happy to receive. I love the the out the bucket peanut butter (organic) so many types to pick. They really care about what they are putting out on the shelves, constantly checking the fruits and vegetables area to scan to look for bad or not so good product. There's plenty of detox herbs, roots liquid you name it they have it try it out you won't be disappointed. read more

This store is amazing, every specialty item you could possibly need (except meat) but truly is a great store. They have really dedicated team members who are always diligently working to better the store because is a a cooperative. Great place, parking can be rough but at least they have a good system figured out. read more

The Cuckanok Bay cheesecake can only be described as one of the most nastiest tasting things. I don't know why a store like Rainbow carries that. I usually assume everything in that store tastes good. Now I will not be so adventurous there. read more

Just the best grocery store ever. Like for reals. Love going by whenever I'm in the area.

Rainbow has the most amazing bulk herbs selection. Nowhere else has wormwood for example. They had several brands of raw goat milk. They had the first fresh grapes of the season. You are lucky if you live in San Francisco. read more

This is laughably one of the worst stores I have ever visited in my life and the most unpleasant menagerie of clowns I have ever had the displeasure of meeting. The employees are incredibly incompetent and rude, unable to fulfill even the simplest of special orders. They frequently place customers' special orders on the shelf without informing them of the product's arrival, as phoning a customer is a little too much of a labor for these jokers who seem to pride themselves on their incompetence. The cashiers frequently overcharge or miscount the items in an order, and the brain trust in the returns section suffer from illiteracy so extreme that they struggle to decipher their own receipts to find the obvious discrepancy. If you call to check the stock of a product, they relay the wrong information all the time, leading to wasted trips and hostility from the utterly confused "think tank" they call their staff. One genius named Bodi/Modi/Jodi (?) who bungles the special orders all the time expressed, in a fit of stoner paranoia, his fear of "getting burned" on a special order, despite the offer of a full deposit, mistaking a simple order for some black market transaction. I have never encountered a more ridiculous collection of clowns as I have at this store, but I wish them the best in their crusade to flex their retail muscle to the bitter end just to defend their laughably mind-boggling incompetence. Anytime I think on this store I am now overwhelmed by unshakeable fits of laughter over how such a bumbling group of hostile, knuckle-dragging dunderheads are able to function each day and, through sheer luck, manage not to capsize this floundering store by their tidal wave of incompetence. All I can say is thank you for the laughs. read more

Vegetarian and vegan grocery shop haven here! A lot of wonderful variety to choose from when it comes to vegetarian goodness! Plenty of unique, different ingredients and inventory to peruse through that one doesn't find in the typical grocery market. Specialties around vegetarian supplies are nice to see and refreshing to consume. read more

Definitely a treat to roam around during the weekend. Lines are all open and long!!! Veggies - fresh and great selection Tons of cheese, fresh nuts, FRESH grind it yourself peanut or almond butter!!, Pasta, fresh dried fruits. If things are on sale, its a pretty good price. Only bugger is that I've noticed a few items that go on sale have actually expired. read more

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This is a typical example of the dangers of letting an entire group of employees have a vested interest in screwing it's customers over. I had called looking for Bulgarian rose essential oil. I got a man who answered and lied to me that it was available, on sale, and that I should come down and pick it up. I came down to purchase the stuff locally as a favor to the company. It wasn't in stock, according to another worker it hadn't been in stock for years, and when I spoke to the jerk who told me it was in stock, he told me that Bulgarian rose oil wasn't that good (In fact, it's the best in the world) in front of other customers. He then told me that I could look at what they did have, in a blatant bait-and-switch maneuver. This is the kind of crap I've seen before in the cheese department, too - Where I was told edam was a gouda- I suspect these people are taught to lie and swindle their customers for a commission and bonus. Shame on them, may they pay. Go Amazon. read more

Extremely overpriced imported cheese with some way passed their original dates, some arrogant and contemptuous staff members, long lines, tiny parking. read more

Bought a watermelon to test this place out. Expensive, melon is soft and mushy, seems like its gonna rot soon and flavorless. Won't bother returning. See pics read more

Rainbow Grocery - Bottom: $10 rotten watermelon from rainbow grocery, top: $3 melon from safeway - Grocery Near Me - San Francisco, California

I love going to this store until my interaction today. I was second in line and the cashier was very friendly to the man in front of me. When my turn came she did not even say hi. I'm like okaaaay. Guess she doesn't want to talk. Didn't speak to me the whole entire transaction until I had to pay. Straight bitch face look. I bagged everything I bought and as I'm finishing a lady approaches behind me in the line and the cashier greets her and starts a conversation with her. I couldn't believe it. Why was she acting like that with me? Disrespectful. Clerk 66 Terminal 05 @ 5:13PM read more

Rainbow Grocery - Clerk 66 Terminal 5 @ 5:13PM Receipt of things I bought from this intersection - Grocery Near Me - San Francisco, California

This place is great. Ten percent off ENTIRE purchase (including non food items) if you use your EBT card! Great bulk items. Great ethos. The staff are human. I love it and go out of my way to shop here! read more

My mom loves cooking, food and shopping and always insists on visiting the Whole Foods near us when my parents visit. This time I decided to take her to Rainbow. This memorable quote from her is all you need: "Makes Whole Foods look like a piece of shit.", ha! Long live Rainbow Grocery! read more

I really want to like this place, due to its wonderful mission. Sadly, have been here twice and neither experience summons much desire to return. First, hygiene. Most zero-waste shops I've been have the scoops outside the herb bins, not inside where the same scoops that dozens of people have touched are buried back into the herbs. (Also, just found a hair in my banana chips that's not in my hair color). Second, friendliness of staff. Other than the lovely lady at the cheese station, the staff I have encountered here are not welcoming - if you are new to zero-waste shopping, this is absolutely not the place to go. Third, the selection of body and household products are sub-par compared to refilleries such as Simple in Cole Valley, and Fillgood. Navigationally, it's fun in that the selections are likely one of the widest in the city, but it takes a while to find things. Prices are cheap, but I'd rather pay triple or quadruple, and enjoy a more curatorial, hygienic, delightful experience. Two stars for it being a fun social experiment that theoretically embodies so much of what's beautiful about San Francisco. Zero star for its lackluster result. read more

Wonderful bulk section, you can buy forbidden rice cheaper here than at Whole Foods. This grocery store is also the only place in the peninsula that sells Quorn "chicken" fillet which is unfortunately my hyperfixation breakfast. Really appreciate the tiny little parking garage so you don't have to find street parking. read more

Sheldon was super helpful in finding this chocolate that I couldn't find anywhere else in SF. Thanks Sheldon in packaging!! Amazing selection for fresh produce and healthy options. I'll definitely be coming back when I have more time. There was so much to look at. read more

Rainbow Grocery - biggest selection of probiotic drinks ive seen - Grocery Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Amazing grocery store with very unpleasant and entitled staff. Very humiliating to see how they are selling all good quality food and at the same time disrespect people who give them business. I go there only for things that I can not possibly find in other places and I limit it to the minimum. as they do not deserve more of my investment. I assume that their interpretation of the "cooperative" part is entitlement to rudeness. They are always on the or over the verge or preaching you everywhere in that space from the produce people to the cashiers. Not to mention the lack of humanity or a smile in any interaction. So much of ego in that small space and disconnect from the customers. These are my observations in the last 10 years and I was always hoping that they will improve with time. I just got a phone call from my partner who was experiencing the same thing from them today and was so upset... My motto: If they are rude-you do not shop there anymore. They do not need our business. read more

Their teas are fantastic. The stuff in jars are where it's at! Even some harder to find herbs, spices, teas are there. Everything else is a hint more expensive but that's okay. I enjoy the selection for their specialty organic items. I have brands I enjoy at Whole Foods and they carry them but x2 more selection. This place is a bit far for me but I'd definitely be in more if I lived closer. I'll continue to stop by anytime I am nearby. read more

rainbow grocery staff are the absolute worst. they followed us around as if we were stealing, throwing hateful looks and whispering rude things. one african lady with white hair on her chin was insanely rude and followed us nonstop all the way to the cashier and out the door. the guy (probably mexican) by skincare falsely accused us of opening products and not using the testers when we clearly used the items that had the tester label on it and he acted like a total jerk. Also not to mention that we just a sample of some peanut butter to see if we liked it before buying it and we didn't even see the guy near the peanut butter but came and and when we were checking out and all the staff was surrounding us making us feel extremely uncomfortable their disgusting attitudes and creepy behavior make the place unbearable. Why would they ruin the store if they sell good quality things meanwhile the staff and customer service are extremely horrible and have attitude, if this is how they treat customers, they deserve to go out of business. avoid at all costs. Horrible Experience ever. read more

Love this place, the staff is great and friendly. Lots of options and all of its great. Well organized inside with spacious isles! Sometimes there's a line outside for parking but hey, that's a great sign! read more

The people are so helpful! The food is amazing and the quality! I enjoy going to rainbow Food market now and in the future

Always check your receipt! I like shopping here and appreciate that I can find most things in the bulk section. However, I am absolutely not thrilled about being overcharged 3-5x because the cashier put in the wrong code. It has happened a few times, but the last time it was so egregious that I wonder if they do it on purpose? read more

It's not my first time to Rainbow as I've been here here at least a half dozen times. This is the premier Cooperative market in San Francisco. The store has two openings one on the right and one further down on the left. Rainbow is located on Folsom in the city. The best bet is to bike, walk, or take public transit or even Uber / Lyft. Trying to drive is not a problem but finding parking is like finding a vegan option at a restaurant called, ' The Pig '. Don't be tempted to park in the adjacent grocery store lot or even the Office Max / Best Buy. There's a little lot and when I mean a little lot, it is exactly that. It's designed for 3 Mini Coopers, 3 Fiats and 1 Smart-car not a Cadillac XT5 SUV Crossover. There's also a valet parking action on the other side but I still haven't figured out how it works. So, I usually park about 5-6 blocks away and walk. Who does that? I do because it's totes worth it. What makes it worth it? A produce section second to none. Are you a cheese snob ? Like some sort of French mine exiled to the US. Then you'll be happy here. Looking for real San Francisco Sourdough without having to deal with the craziness of Pier 39 and Boudin? Then you'll be happy here. Looking for a wide selection of Kombucha? How about Mega Sized bottle?? Yeah Rainbow has that too. So you're vegetarian or even vegan. Not a problem. There's vegan donuts, vegan breads, vegan cheese, and even vegan enchiladas. Yeah that's right vegan enchiladas. Check the picture. The staff is very very friendly and knowledgeable. They are like championed Jeopardy contestants because they can answer even the most obscure question like, " Are you this is Kosher as I don't recognize the Rabbi and his temple?" They know and be rest assured, it's Kosher. The bottom line is this. Don't give up on Rainbow due to the parking. It is what it is. It's like my wife told me, the journey makes the destination even more enjoyable. So go to Rainbow and enjoy all that it has to offer and by the way, the pricing is very good. Like really good. read more

Rainbow Grocery - Grocery Near Me - San Francisco, California

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My first time at Rainbow grocery market was excellent and I spent over $100 as I I purchased some items for my 83 year old mother-in-law's arthritis, however she could not take the pills that I bought because they upset her stomach. In my attempt to return the pills and exchange for a topical cream for arthritis. I ran into the MANAGER who would not allow the exchange because I didn't have the paper receipt. I showed him the electronic receipt for rainbow grocery market off my Visa credit card. The pill bottle even had a rainbow grocery price tag stuck on it (expensive stuff!) I even explained to him how I signed up for membership that day my first visit and first purchase, all to no avail. Great store, horrible management and one Lost, Unsatisfied, and Disappointed Customer. I asked that my name be removed from their membership list, not for the sake of my integrity, but for the simple fact that the management of Rainbow Grocery market on Folsom Street, San Francisco is unreasonable and exercises horribly poor judgment. Surely there are BETTER PLACES to spend good money and who will not allow your money to go to waste. read more

Rainbow Grocery - Purchased item - Grocery Near Me - San Francisco, California

Better come with your Sunday finest. I enter after working sick, halfway through a migraine with my only cold weather jacket and get followed around. I've been coming here for 5 years. I'm.not going to be treated like a common fucking thief. read more