Oh, Ward's. . .you convince me to keep visiting Gainesville almost as much as my mother does! The perfect mix of old-school family grocery and new-age hippie food paradise, if you like to cook from scratch Ward's has almost everything you need. This is not the place to load up on heat-n-eat convenience foods, so Hot Pocket fans might want to stick to Publix. If you're looking for a wide selection of bulk goods, vegan ingredients, local eggs and milk (and cheese! and tempeh!), inexpensive fresh produce, excellent beer and wine selections and a classic butcher shop-style meat department, welcome! You've come to the right place. I do believe that anyone complaining about prices here must have never set foot into a Whole Foods or Fresh Market. On our way back home to Raleigh, we loaded up the car with food at a fraction of the prices of similar goods back home -- I even checked the sale prices of things with my phone while I was shopping, and Ward's regular prices beat them all! The discount produce carts offer perfectly good but not perfectly gorgeous produce at ridiculously low prices, and if I hadn't been facing a long drive home in record-high heat, I'd have gladly loaded up on strawberries, eggplant, herbs and other kitchen must-haves and had a whole meal for less than some people spend on their morning coffee. There's also a friendly environment and a commitment to customers that you don't often see in chain stores. Some of the same faces were present behind the registers that were there when we lived in Gainesville almost eight years ago, and customers were still being greeted by name like they were guests in a home instead of customers in a shop. Ward's strives to create a macro market in a micro space, and in my opinion they succeed admirably. read more

Wards is a place you mostly love or you don't. That said, I'm a fan, with reservations. If I want interesting, cheap local veggies and (I presume) meats, this is a destination shopping place for dinner. I still do most of my shopping at the Publix on Main simply due to location and selection, so Ward's is, for me, that place I go to get the specialty items that they don't carry. They seem to cater to the organic/veggie/vegan types that infest Gainesville in huge numbers, and so the place is bustling at all hours that they are open. Pros: Meat and produce dept, soft drinks that are organic and HFCS free, and a nice chocolate selection. Cons: Can be pricey if you are not careful, awful parking lot, crowded and narrow aisles. Small place - feels a bit like a European city market. I suppose that's a compliment, now isn't it? read more

If I lived here, I'd be a loyal customer! This place rocks! I'm from New Orleans, so this is prob my only trip here, but I must say I was impressed :) Excellent selection of produce, meats, seafood, beer & wine. Not many selections of brands for staples, but who cares! Lol It's the bulk spices that really excited me- wish I'd taken a picture. Prices I saw averaged ~ $1-1.75/oz, and they had every spice I've ever heard of, plus many I hadn't! As a reference, I'm kinda a foodie & cook many cuisines. Must have been @ least 100 jars. The staff was extremely friendly & helpful as well. Wonderful shopping experience! read more

Ward's is something that defines Gainesville for me. Ward's is what I miss when I'm away. Ward's is one of the first places I go when I come back. Produce is fresh and inexpensive, great selection of dry bulk goods, good beer/wine selection, awesome vegetarian/vegan snacks and health products that you can't find anywhere else, or are way too expensive other places. Always a fun experience. I definitely agree with some reviews here: this is the place for you if you like to cook with fresh food, but if you're looking for fast stuff you might end up spending more than you would at another grocery store. read more

As a kid I absolutely dreaded when my mom would say Ward's was on the list of errands I was being dragged to. I think this was partially due to hating grocery shopping mixed with the somewhat strange environment the store provides. I would have never guessed that in my adult life I would grow to love Ward's. Ward's shelves are stocked with such a diverse range of products that it's hard to even start to compare it to other grocers in the Gainesville area. I absolutely love how they get shipments of fresh baked goods from other small business in Gainesville along with tons of spices that are hard to find elsewhere. It's incredibly convenient that you can weigh out and label your own spices to fit the actual amount you need. I love my Indian spices but it's not like I am going to use a whole bottles worth before it goes bad so this system is great. Their fresh produce is often local with plenty of organic options. The $1 tofu is also refreshing but be sure that you don't grab a package that is has been poked open, silken is definitely easy to get holes. Getting around in the store during peak hours is a bit difficult so if you don't like to place people vs shipping cart, I'd recommend shying away from the busy periods. Everyone who works here is super helpful and I rarely go a trip without being asked if I needed help finding something. The herbal supplement section is impressive. My mother used to buy a lot of their homeopathic supplements when she lived in Gainesville. The one thing that is a bit of an inconvenience is that the prices on certain items are Much higher than your regular chain grocery store. You can't just grab everything you need and expect to save money. The wine selection is also worth noting. They have a wide array of options at all price levels. If you live in Gainesville and haven't been to Ward's, go check it out! (You might just find something worth going back for! Also support local biz!) read more

Support your local grocers & farmers. The produce section is fantastic, with fresh vegetables and fruits that you can't find elsewhere. Also, the meat dept. has fresh cuts of meat and seafood. The wine and beer selection is Devine, as is the organic foods section (again, carrying items I can't find elsewhere). They carry plants ranging from ferns to herbs to seeds. I don't make it here often, but always want to linger and check out everything... However, I made the mistake of going the day before Thanksgiving and it was a MADHOUSE!!! you couldn't turn around in there!!! read more

We bought some Boarshead deli meat and when we got home and opened it the edges of the hard salami was grey... gross... we tossed it immediately. read more

This is no biased review but my friend has a relation to the owner of this store so it's hard to give a bad review but I have to say, everytime I've gone in there, the service was beyond amazing and the food looked great!! I always loved when my grandma would come home with wards bags haha. They're truly a great, local business that I recommend whole heartedly! read more

I love wards, amazing prices. A true farmers market, they sell unpasteurized milk and great quality meats. I highly recommend this market in Gainesville. The people who work their are so friendly. read more

I absolutely have to stop by Ward's when I'm in town. LOVE IT!!! Amazing produce section, potted plants, Florida honeys, and Falafel King's Lentil Pies!!! so simple, yet so fulfilling. read more

I'm in love. My words are not worthy of this diamond in the rough. I will never go to Publix again! UPDATE: Still in love. Wards has all the essentials to a healthy lifestyle. Lots of fresh veggies and meats. The dairy carries a nice selection of cheeses and yogurt. The yogurt makes the stuff at Publix taste like chemicals. SERIOUSLY! Everything about Wards is awesome...great wine and craft beer selection. Lots of fresh local bakery choices and tons of Kombucha which is great! WARDS IS THE BEST! read more

This store is locally own and has a lot of variety one would not find at other supermarket. They have a lot of organics, local goods, and they even sale plants. The food areas are topically clean but for some reason there is a slight odor. Is not trouble odor, but it is there. I do remember when Luckies opened around the corner Wards did a cleaning and the odor was gone for some time, but it is once more present. I speculate it is all the different organic foods but... well you be the judge. Otherwise really worth visiting this store. read more

I wish Wards had a location on the west side, because if they did, I'd shop there more often. Prices are sometimes good, sometimes not so good, but I like the idea of a locally-owned market selling locally-grown produce and meat. Plus, they often have things the bigger stores don't have. Sadly, the sales are nothing to get excited about, at least not that I've noticed. Service is generally good, but not up to Publix's standards, at least not yet! read more

I'm going to keep this short and simple. This is THE BEST supermarket I've ever been to. Better than any place in my travels abroad. The freshest, most organic, locally grown, hard-to-find items, and best priced store. What a gem! And by the way, come prepared to freak out when you see their beer selections. Do bring your own bags; they don't and shouldn't look kindly on wasters. read more

Love this place!!! Wish I had known about it sooner. Do not overlook their bulk section. It seems great and freshly stocked. Also, there are fair trade lotions on sale towards the back. Lots of personal care product options. I did get a grassfed steak here once that was spoiled. I'm going to try the ground beef and see if it's okay. Lots of sales, good selection of produce. The selection here overall is pretty mind-boggling. It's like they have everything. Impressive alcohol section as well. They can accommodate everyone, from those into country cookin to raw vegans. Employees are super helpful, just ask them if you can't find something. read more

So much selection. This is a definitely a hidden gem of Gainesville. I would compare it to a smaller Whole Foods. Everything is natural and very fresh. I'll definitely be returning read more

Love that we still have a local grocery store. Staff are always friendly. They have such a great variety of plants and they are priced great. I love all the local bakery items as well. Local meat and items are very great! read more

The staff are not all wearing adequate masks and so many customers weren't either. I've been shopping there since 1974 and have been a faithful patron, but not after today. At least a quarter of the people didn't wear masks, which lets me know that I'm not welcome. Sad this store will not respect our health. read more

Wards is five star. Period. They offer a selection of hard to find goods (loose tea, spices, herbs, essential oils, soaps) that are not found around here except online. Their staff are friendly. Produce is fresh and the butchers are on-site to assist with meat selections. Their prices are extremely fair. Parking can be tricky at times as this is a smaller grocery store but well worth the trip. read more

Simply the best. Ward's offers fresh local produce, natural foods, gourmet chocolate, a huge selection of beer and wine, friendly staff, all in a funky, hometown atmosphere where you maneuver your narrow little cart with care because you could bump into a neighbor. In addition, Ward's brings together east and west Gainesville. How cool is that? read more

Great selection of items. I'm a huge fan of shopping locally, but I assumed there would be more local and natural items. Their prices have always been a bit high, especially for being in a college town, but with new competition from Lucky's and Trader Joe's, we'll see where it goes. Service is always great there. My biggest caveat is shopping for seafood. There is little knowledge about source and whether or not the seafood was harvested sustainably. I went out looking for local shrimp and they only had farmed shrimp from India with little knowledge about the farm. read more

Amazing place.. They have local fresh produce.. It reminds me of markets from back home in Jordan..

Love this place!! Family owned and operated business. Have a great selection of organic food. If you like craft beer look no further then their excellent beer selection tucked away in the back of the store. Support your local grocery stores!!! Cheers read more

My boyfriend and I go to Wards for produce, steak, bulk foods and spices. Also the occasional weird thing we can't get anywhere else. We leave spending $35-40 every time and getting exactly what we came in for. The selection of packaged stuff (dry pasta, breakfast cereal, canned foods, etc) is limited and more expensive then a typical grocery store. I definitely have to go elsewhere for those things. But, we are always pleased with the selection and freshness of their produce and meats. I like being able to buy the amount of rice, flour, spices, etc I need for a recipe and not having to buy and store excess. Overall, if you are looking for a place that gives you great produce and meats at excellent prices, Wards is that place. read more

Would like to give them a 5 however on two occasions meat dept employees were handling the meat with bare hands. I purchased a loin and watched him trim the fat handling my food with his bare hands. Awesome store, great history, with the other options in town issues like this will eventually cause serious customer loss. read more

Great place with a very unique and wholesome take on grocery shopping. There is a focus on fresh produce and home made items. They have a wonderful selection of hot sauces, nettles sausages, beer, wine, breads and meats. It's a go-to staple for grocery shopping around town and has been for years. read more

i find some of the empoyees are very rude and have no knowledge about the products in the store and if you ask them a question about they very short with you and rude and nicer to customers and go out of there way to help them but i have to say the majority of the worker there or nice and friendly you just have some people there that should not work around the public in any capacity read more

Great selection and some specialty items you can't find at Publix or other markets. Really enjoyed browsing and buying some unusual items. Prices were very competitive. Store is a bit smaller, but has more variety (no as much stock of the same item on the shelf), than larger grocery stores. Will make it a point to shop here again. read more

Eat and buy local from our own mom and pop grocery store in Gainesville,FL. Contribute to local economy from bakers, farms, to locally made higiene products. They will have everything you need from produce to butcher, bulk herbs, teas, spices, grains, and beans. Top selection of wine and beer for great prices. Don't forget to pass by the butcher and get some bacon. They smoke all their own meats and bake amazing sweets. For all your local treats this is the place to shop. Owned by Gainesville resigned for the last 55 years, and employed lots of vets, elderly, and POC folks. There is nothing like wards in town. read more

This is the best grocery store in town. Not so much specialty new-age stuff that you don't wanna go there (like Earth Origins or the co-op) but not too much commercial stuff that it's just a front (like Trader Joe's). Wards has really blossomed into such a great business these past few years, and the struggle doesn't end for them but I'd say their efforts to remain true to their clientele base have really paid off. It's the only place that really tries their hardest to provide local, healthy produce, and is able to actually FOLLOW THROUGH on that promise come every season. It's obviously not Publix or Winn Dixie, so the service is MUCH better. The employees are treated with more respect by their employer, resulting in an all-around great environment. Most small and local grocery stores turn into a kind of some-of-everything and lose the option of having enough of anything, but Ward's has clearly made significant efforts to maintain both substance and variety. The only thing that would make it better is if they weren't so far north. But nothing is ever perfect. read more

Let's face it. In Florida we are a little spoiled when it comes to grocery stores. I need only say one word. Publix. In Gainesville we are lucky enough to have one almost on every major road. As great as that is, it can be a disadvantage as well. We tend to miss out on truly local establishments with ties to the community. That is one of the reasons why Ward's is such a gem of Gainesville. Ward's has been a part of Gainesville for over 60 years. Over the years they have created relationships that allow them to source some of the best local produce, as well as meats in town. In fact their produce stretches from the main entrance to the right of the store, and then to registers. Their meat section is no joke either, it occupies half of the back of the store. They even have an in house butcher. The left third of the store is dedicated to dry goods. This area includes an entire isle dedicated to bulk items, a beer isle with some impressive offerings, and a great organic section. If I am looking for a unique ingredient, I can generally find it here. Ward's is freaking awesome! read more

It's probably the best grocery store in Gainesville. And by grocery store I mean a place that comes closest to healthy raw and cooked food vegetables fruit and other stuff that health conscious people would buy and appreciate. A very nice selection of imported and local beers as well. Steelcut oats and greek yogurt to be found here. The prices are amazing for the freshness and variety. I can find things like rabbit, lamb, grass fed beef and goat meat here! Not to mention regular prices on chicken breast are 3 bucks a pound. And I don't buy toilet paper or other things here that I can get at a CVS. That's not what good grocery stores are for: that's the job of Walmart, Target and CVS. I have been a regular Whole foods shopper for years now and moving to Gainesville has been a shock. Trader Joe and Wards are the best food shopping experiences you will find in this city unless you want to wake up and go to farms and markets at 7 on Saturday. read more

Best grocery in Gainesville. Cheap, amazing local produce and great selection of gourmet / health / vegan / vegetarian / bulk specialty foods. An affordable and rewarding way to support local business. read more

there's something about this place. ward's to me is like that crazy family member who shows up to the reunion absolutely sloshed and telling inappropriate sex stories. it kind of weirds me out, but it's dear to my heart. the people who shop at ward's are so diverse. you have the single mothers who bring their fifteen children in to go grocery shopping for the week, but then there's also that flannel-wearing alternative kid in the bulk foods aisle scooping out raw macadamia nuts. the place is pretty unorganized and random. i've turned a corner looking for chicken broth and ended up face-to-face with organic soap and candles. the large selection of pig parts can be intimidating but intriguing, and the store has its own distinct smell -- kind of like asian markets do. it's something that i can't put my finger on, but it's that ward's experience. i would actually describe ward's as the asian market for organic products. things are kind of everywhere, but i've always found something new and interesting each time. i've never shopped for basic groceries here, but i've gone to ward's when i need particular things. they have a lot of nice produce, and the bulk foods selection is one of the best in the gainesville. try nutritional yeast on popcorn. popcorn seasoning will never be the same, i promise. i used to avoid gelatin, and i would get vegan marshmallows there. i've gotten really good bacon there, and they have cypress grove cheese there. humbodlt fog and i have been best friends for the past few months, but they carry purple haze -- classic goat cheese with lavender and fennel pollen. i automatically am very turned on to a place that has cypress grove cheeses. i used to think of ward's as the gluten-free hipster of grocery stores, but it's really more like strange kid wearing the shirt with the wolves howling at the moon on it. read more

Great selection of extremely fresh produce, including a lot of locally grown and organic fruits and vegs. Diverse offerings include health foods and items for people on special diets. Example - Sami's Bakery (Tampa) and other brands of fresh-baked breads, rolls, lavash, etc. delivered twice a week. I'm gluten-intolerant and this is where I go for baked goods and packaged snacks. Great selection of organic dairy products, too. Plus some gourmet items - good wines, olives, stuffed vine leaves, artichokes, and so on. A little of everything! And the staff seem to LOVE working there and provide friendly, welcoming service. Everyone is unpretentious and treats you like family. A well-run local business. It can get crowded and feels like a city market but that's part of the charm. Oh, and they have great BBQ they smoke out front and offer packaged inside. read more

NYC Food Elitist says YES to Wards. I am so glad I found this place. The health food stores, supermarkets and 'bodegas' in this 'city' are deplorable, especially the faux gourmet "Fresh Market" (Foo!) which thankfully is next a fairly good bakery and a nice little wine + cheese shop (foxy cheese girl!). ANYWAY. Wards is a savior and oasis to me on this trip, they really get it at Wards, glad to see the town feels the same. read more

Ward's is the kind of store where you will end up talking randomly with a man who is buying 50 pounds of peanuts and spices to boil up and sell on Main Street, and another guy with a whole pork belly who's going to take it home and make bacon. Then you'll run into your friend, and maybe your neighbor. It's true, the most diverse selection of shoppers can be found at Ward's, and it's also true you're not going to be able to buy a latte and walk through spacious aisles listening to classical music. More likely you will be dodging kids, baskets, carts and other shoppers, all who are friendly and intently searching for their groceries on the jam-packed and narrowly spaced shelves. At Ward's you can purchase bargain items out of a shopping cart with big, bright orange 99 cent stickers on them, like slightly wilted lettuces or tomatoes that need to be made into sauce. You can special order items. You may or may not find what you're looking for, but you'll always find something good. The only thing I can't figure out is why there is artificial colors/flavors in the prepared BBQ. I wanted to try it but I avoid anything that needs some fake ingredients to make it look or taste good...so I can't tell you about the bbq. Tip: park on the shady, calmer side of the parking lot, the one further away from 6th street on the East side of the store. Anything I don't buy at the farmers' market I at Ward's, especially fresh and specialty foods and the bulk items like beans. Once in a while I do head to Publix or Fresh Market, but I definitely spend most of my money at Ward's! read more

It's amazing how they pack absolutely EVERYTHING everyone eats into one small (efficient!) store. Something for everyone here, and I'm pretty picky. It's the ubiquitous chip of grocery stores! And that eclecticism is what's most beautiful about Wards- country soul food chefs, immigrants from everywhere, students, laborers, yuppies, hippies, normals, old folks- everybody shops at Wards! And their deli food, homemade, is great and cheap. Fresh (enough) bread, local produce, and ham hocks. And I feel like the employees are my friends. What more could we ask for? Truly one of the gems of Gainesville. By locals, for locals. Everything a hometown business should be- Southern Gothic and sophisticated without snob appeal- (almost) everything you ever wanted right there before your very eyes, and the best prices in town!!! read more

This is the only consistently reliable place to shop for produce in Gainesville, other than scouting the various Farmer's Markets around town. They have an excellent beer and wine selection, and the Quorn and Morningstar prices are best here, too. I recently found a $5 off coupon when you spend $50 or more at Ward's. Yay, right? Except, I can never spend $50 at Ward's! Even when I sneak some extra homemade hummus or samosas into my cart. read more

Hands down, the best grocery store in Gainesville! Sure, they may not have a lot of household items, but for basic groceries this is the best place to go. The people you see are an awesome combination of ethnicities and social classes. Think the foodie picking up some special, locally grown, organic herbs, next to the Asian lady buying a package of chicken feet, next to someone looking for hog maws. They have a great bulk section, tons of local food and produce, and an increasingly wonderful beer selection. If you live in Gainesville and have stayed away from Wards you owe to yourself to make the trip. Don't forget to try their barbecue as well....made fresh daily and it is really good. read more