If you live in West Campus and are tired of having to drive to the grocery store to see the same novelty items, I highly recommend taking a short walk to Wheatsville Food Co-op.
Since it is not a far walk from my apartment, I decided to try my grocery shopping at their Guadalupe location. This was my first trip ever to a co-op grocery store. This means that the business is owned by its shoppers. Anyone can become a member and therefore own a portion of the store’s shares. However, one does not need to be a member to shop there. Since the shoppers are the actual owners of the business, they are more conscious when choosing what to keep in stock.
When I walked in, I was not looking for anything specific, which I think is the key to having a successful shopping trip at a co-op. I found that there were a lot of products that were from local farms or businesses which was a plus for me. Also, it caught my attention that the produce being sold kept up with what was in season. The staff was extremely helpful and friendly, and even offered samples of their specialties like their freshly made salsa.
Do not underestimate the power of this market. Although smaller in size than most grocery stores, the Wheatsville Co-op is equipped with a deli counter that makes custom sandwiches and smoothies. The seafood department obtains its seafood from local farms that practice sustainable procedures. The meat department is unique in that it creates its own sausages, rubs and marinades daily. Along with these departments, the cheese and bakery sections are also locally sourced and offer the best of the best selections.
Wheatsville also offers daily deals every week on different departments for its owners. Since the co-op is owned by its shoppers, it offers a variety of foods for different diets. I recently decided to be on a vegan diet and I had no trouble finding an abundance of choices that fit my dietary needs. Knowing I had to walk back with my purchases, I did not buy as much as I wanted to, but was satisfied with all of my purchases. All of the produce was fresh and my pre-made vegan meals were delicious. Something I plan to try next time is the sushi (a vegan roll of course) or a fresh smoothie at the smoothie bar.
Wheatsville has two locations. One is located on Guadalupe north of 30th Street and a second location on South Lamar. For more information on the Wheatsville Food Co-op, visit their website.
