Flatbush Food Coop
“The 'co-op' name can be deceiving, they are open to everyone, not just members.”
“You can really save money by shopping the bins, and the sale items.”
“To be honest, I don't go there for grocery shopping because I don't have the funds to do so but I do go there for my soaps, oils, and other organic products.”
Flatbush Food Coop
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Accepts Apple Pay: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Price range.
$$$ Price range Pricey
8 reviews
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Finding myself a home that straddles the land of the Orthodox and the Ruskyie makes for some difficult grocery shopping depending on the weather and the time of year. I sometimes have to go to 5 different markets to get all the things I need. The Coop has solved my food shlep by offering a huge selection of organic products, especially the produce, and ethnic treats that can be done in one train ride to and from. Yes, maybe the staff at times (especially when they make announcements) can be a little aloof…even rude, although hearing them yell at each other is kind of entertaining, I just fill my little basket, stand in line and pay for my stuff knowing that when I get home I will be eating my tres leches cheese and dandelion greens in peace.
Flatbush Food Coop is so necessary for the neighborhood because there aren't many health markets in the area. To be honest, I don't go there for grocery shopping because I don't have the funds to do so but I do go there for my soaps, oils, and other organic products. As someone with severe problem skin, I have to be mindful of EVERYTHING I put on my body and FFC makes my life much easier. They have an excellent selection of soaps, lotions, deodorants, and all that jazz.
If you like long lines that snake down the entire length of the grocery store, then I have failed to convey my sarcasm. I suppose the word "co-op" makes it special, and so does the food. But let me get back to the long lines snaking down the entire length of the grocery store: they are long. And they snake. Down the entire length. Of the store. Maybe Whole Foods should take over the universe.
I shouldn't hate. This was the only place within blocks that I could find coriander. Thus the lines…?
This place has a very solid selection of products and a large array of bulk grains, cereals, nuts etc. Definitely more expensive than other places that sell similar items however it's conveniently located and open late, always there in a recipe pinch, nice staff. It only sucks when you get stuck in line next to a hippie that bathes once a week but that happens everywhere . Due to pricing I wouldn't make this my main grocery store but for a local Ditmas Park place it fits the bill. Plus in the 12 years I've lived in the area, it keeps steadily improving.
Someday I hope to be able to afford making this my only store.
I like browsing here for special things I wouldn't always buy in order to spice up my regular grocery shopping. Their granola bar is pretty nuts (see what I did there?) and also pretty cheap. A bucket of the good stuff for around $3. MMM-HMMM, BABY.
In general, the produce is quite expensive and some of the packaged goods are cheaper. Nearly everything I've bought here has been on sale. So, like I said, I wouldn't make it my one-stop spot.
The 'co-op' name can be deceiving, they are open to everyone, not just members. That being said, the co-op does a wonderful job at providing healthy food choices to this area. Even more impressive, some items here are cheaper than the other, non organic food market 2 blocks away.. I particularly enjoy the bulk, pick and pack section. They have hoppers of food stuffs, granolas, dried fruits, nuts, ect. You fill a bag with your desired amount, label, and off you go! No more getting stuck with some repulsive crap you'll eventually feed the garbage can or pigeons with!
I have a love/ hate relationship with the Brooklyn Co-op…
What I love: I love that it's close to my home and offers a good selection of organic ingredients you won't normally find at a regular supermarket. They offer a wide variety of organic seasonal veggies and fruits (eat them quickly as they will go bad sooner because they are organic) the price point is pretty good and they usually offer sales on most items. Something here are grossly over priced such as fish! I would never spend 20+ dollars on a fillet of Salmon… Whole foods doesn't even charge that much!
What I hate: The people who work here really shouldn't! I mean it just brings down the entire idea of the co-op… I was in the beauty section where they also have essential oils and vitamins looking for a few different items that would best help me. There were two employees there and in the entire 20 minutes that I spent circling looking for products to purchase they carried on a conversation and not ONCE did any of them bother to ask if I needed help! Don't believe me??? I recorded them and they had no idea because they were too busy into their conversation. I posted the video. I am sorry this is just absolutely unacceptable.
For the reasons that I love this place I will keep shopping here… But for the reason that I hate it I will make my trips shorter and farther apart…
I like shopping here because of the meat options. There is no denying that there is a shortage of quality meat shops in the Flatbush/Prospect Lefferts Gardens/Ditmas Park areas. I travel down to the food co-op when I need to stock up on meat and poultry because the options here are significantly better than the options elsewhere. Sometimes, I do have to pay more for better tasting chicken but the fact of the matter is, I don't want to die of salmonella so this is a choice I'm willing to make. That being said, the co-op does have frequent sales that can make this choice more affordable and reasonable.
Don't get me wrong, while perusing the aisles I file many of their products under "Things that make me go hmmm" as in "Hmmm, you must have lost your mind if you think I'm gonna pay X amount for some cheese". That being said, when it comes to meat, produce, pasta and nuts by the pound this is the place for me. Oh and candy! Call me nostalgic, but I miss the good-old-days of scoop candy bins and buying exactly the amount you will actually eat. I'm over buying pre-packaged oversized candy bags that you binge eat in one sitting only to feel like a bad person afterwards. Yeah, those bins at co-op make me feel like I have some control over my life. I'm down for that!
And of course, the fact that you don't have to be a member is wonderful. If you have a friend that is a member coordinate in advance so you can make it a fun friend weekend date and take advantage of their discount to boot.