Mississippi Market Natural Foods Coop

A small market with a big selection. They have a lot of more unique stuff than you would find at big chain grocery stores. There were even some artisan bowls and such. The staff was very friendly.

I feel the need to update my review amid the COVID-19 madness right now. I went to this location on a Saturday afternoon during the height of social distancing and people stocking up for 30 days worth of supplies for a self-quarantine. I was expecting the images that I've been seeing in the news: empty shelves, chaotic and aggressive atmosphere, etc. What I discovered at Mississippi Market was the exact opposite. I was one of about 10 other customers. Every single shelf was full of beautiful produce and all the necessities (except for toilet paper but I don't blame the co-op... people are truly unreasonable with this obsession right now and have purchasing patterns that are difficult to anticipate). There was music playing softly in the background and the staff were calm and friendly, even though I know their workday is exponentially more difficult right now. There was so much extra hand sanitizer around the store. The good kind that smells like lavender!Thank you to this co-op for being the calmest haven for ingredients to make nutrient dense meals throughout this time of isolation and public chaos.

If you are actively high all the time and have zero sense of urgency this is the place for you to work!!!!! The service here is so slow that the mosquito in Jurassic park covers more ground then the cashiers during a shift. The staffing of indigent artists who have clearly had no career success makes the average wait time for getting a latte made around 30 minutes so better plan on doing your taxes while some unmotivated late 20 something makes your latte. The service is so slow i could feel myself turning into a impatient 50 year old conservative man like i was the cover of an animorphs novel. Despite all of my complaining the hot food has never been bad and has lots of selections. The coffee they provide is excellent and they always make lattes in an outstanding manner. I will take 20 minutes out of my day to have their coffee because it is that good.

By far my favorite place to shop, thrift for sales, browse, eat, drink, stock up on wellness items, and just soak in the magical ambiance that abounds at the E. 7th Mississippi Market.The sale specials and the bulk bins are the first areas that the reticulating activating vision is alerted to, (as if you shop smartly at the co-op you needn't be paying premium prices).After filling up on organic oats, and some organic dark roast coffee at the bulk bins, I'll grab a dozen local, organic Larry Schultz eggs, then scope out the specials in the wellness area, and grocer aisles (there are always many to be found). Every stop at the co-op isn't complete (at least for me) without a trip to the salad bar. The salad bar here is spectacular! The consistent freshness of the greens, veggies, meats, etc. is something you can always rely on. A little garlic lovers dressing goes a long way, along with a light drizzle of olive oil and vinagerette. I eat the salad bar here a few times a week for the past few years, and it's consistently great!Sometimes I'll grab a delicious, prefectly brewed coffee (none of the weak stuff), which is an easy thing to do (as there are typically five or so different blends available). Everyone who works here is super friendly, and happy to help you out with any questions (just ask!)

I'm so appreciative of this co-op location which is convenient to Downtown, Lowertown, and East St Paul. The East 7th store is also so much calmer than the other Miss Mkt locations. Parking is copious in their lot. In addition to local produce, organics, filtered water, and a nice meat & seafood dept, they have lots of pre-portioned, pre-made items that are high quality such as chicken salads, pasta dishes, and desserts. They also have fresh sushi rolls and roasted chickens. They are just now starting to offer their hot bar again. If you're feeling the financial pinch these days, they have a program called LIME, which offers 10% off for lower income folks. Very nice.

The good: great location for us, they have meals to go, and some things you can't get elsewhere. Also, the cheese selection is top-notch! They even have cheese curds fresh from Ellsworth Creamery. The bad: the price on a lot of the items is hard on any budget. The produce especially. A lot of the fruit we have purchased isn't good even though it double, triple or quadruple the price. You can get individual stocks of celery and carrots which is cool.

Insanely happy to hear that there was a location coming so close to me, and I haven't been disappointed! The employees all seem genuinely happy to help whenever I have questions, and they're great resources on everything from specific essential oil properties to variances between Cheddar. I see others commenting on the pricing, and... I don't really have an answer for them other than co-ops do run higher than a Cub or an Aldi, but you can find steals if you watch the sales. Your money is also going toward a cooperative, paying fair prices to farmers and everyone else in the chain that gets food to us. It's worth spending in my book.

Mississippi Market often seems like the awkward co-op in the Twin Cities, having good points and lacking others and amounting to average. Spotless stores? Yes. Great deli? Mostly. Frequent hot bar refresh? Not as much. Bakery? Between meh and adequate. Smoothies and juice? The bomb. Produce is almost always fresh and perfect, if they don't run out of that ONE ingredient. The health and beauty area of this location lacks bulk refilling which is annoying. I like Alba lotion, so I'd be forced to buy a new bottle here if I didn't go to another co-op. It's certainly an amazing addition to Dayton's Bluff to be sure, but it falls short in some areas that are a given at other co-ops.

Up until I started delivering to this store, I didn't know they existed! I'm sure glad I got them on my route because now I know how great they are! I love the cleanliness of the store and how friendly the staff is. I also love to eat lunch here with their salad bar/hot bar. So flavorful and filling. If I come early I like to get an almond croissant with the really available drip coffee. My favorite MN brand too! (Peace Coffee). I'd visit a lot more if I had one where I live. Definitely worth a try!

I go there all the time just wish some things would have been add to the store. I love their bailey's cheesecake but I haven't seen them since so I hope they bring it back again.