La Montanita Food Co-op

I have driven by this place I don't even know how many times. Finally stopped and I'm glad I did. I went in looking for Jerusalem artichokes to eat and plant. They didn't have those, but the guy at the counter by the supplements told me where to find the sprouting seeds I was also looking for. I got those and and some deli type items for a quick lunch on the go. It was delicious! The place was clean and staff were helpful. Much smaller than the bigger chain health/specialty stores, but has a very nice variety. I found the prices to be comparable, if not better than those big stores. I also picked up some essential oils I was out of, that were made specifically for the co-op. A friend told me about this place and I'm glad she did!

This is my main place for shopping for produce. I love how they offer local, organic foods.

Came here while on vacation to pick up some breakfast stuff. Found cage free eggs, nitrate free bacon, grass fed beef, and local milk. I wish we had one of these where I am from!

Definitely a staple in Albuquerque. Their sandwich/juice bar is a must try. The store has a nice selection, probably a little on the high side for cost, but quality is second to none.

The prices are high and the Mgr Ehben was extremely rude on my last visit. I will not be shopping at the store anymore!

Great, healthy options. Organized.helpful friendly staff. A little pricier than I'm used to with something's, but more competiré with others.

After 20 years of support... my interaction with the manager Anna at the location on Rio Grande has indicated I need to support Whole Foods. I should never have to defend myself for not knowing what the Cashier Jared should know and tell customers...

This is NOT a Co-op in the true sense of the word. I belonged to the biggest Food Coop in the country for years. All people were required to do work shifts in areas such as cashier to stocking shelves. That way, we were able to get an incredible 20% over wholesale on the groceries we could purchase.I do stop by occasionally, but it is rare. This is nothing but a health food store. Working at a food Coop has taught me that health food stores mark up the products by 100-150% over wholesale, which I believe is the case in this store. Natural Grocers is also a health food store and is cheaper than this place. It might be a difference because of benefits to employees, but not really to the customers.

It's overpriced on SOME things. I know because I compare prices all of the time. But it's not THAT overpriced. A lot of prices are pretty normal. And I figure that I'm helping local farmers and ranchers. What can't be beat is the produce. I go through primarily for the produce. Once you taste, for instance, Co-op's carrots, you'll never shop for produce any place else again. The store is very clean too. The best checker at the checkout counter: Ife. //// This is an honest review. I don't work there, and I don't know anyone who works there.

The grocery store is decent. The produce is outrageously overpriced, though they often have good sales on many things. Their prepared foods and meats can also be quite good. On balance it's a decent store and i shop there because it is the best store near my house when I need a thing or two. What really irks me about this place, especially as a paying Co-op member, is the attitude and rudeness of the staff. I have experienced this at all of the Montañita locations but the Rio Grande location is by far the worst. There are a few cashiers that are decent but by and large the cashiers are astonishingly rude. Today, as on many occasions, the cashier gives no reply after I walk up and greet them. Then, after checking out, the cashier does not say a word, or offer receipt, or say anything at all while I was standing there awkwardly, and she just began greeting the next customer in line. (I guess they were the type of customer who deserves basic acknowledgement?) After I had bagged my groceries I turned and said thank you, this common courtesy was also completely ignored. This is not an uncommon experience for me at the co-op and it really is too bad. It is the type of business I really like to support but so often when I'm walking to the parking lot with my groceries I wonder why on earth I continue to come back and give these people my hard-earned money when they repeatedly treat me with such disdain.To the management: You need to sit with your employees and have a discussion about basic courtesy. It seems to be endemic in this co-op's culture and it hurts your business and the image of co-ops in general. Try representing the healthy lifestyle with kindness and respect, not attitude and snark.