Rainbow Grocery

Jordana G.
37 reviews
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Es muy caro, pero...

It's pricey. Who knew my half-filled coffee bag of organic almonds was going to come to OVER $12 DOLLARS?! Not I.

There are some things I can't buy here because of the price -- like $6.99/pound tomatoes.

But there are others I must buy here because of quality: Straus Creamery milk, a new cheese every time!, greens (local, organic rainbow chard, kale, dandelions, collards are usually $1.99 a bunch), local, organic apples, and Mr. Krisper Sour Cream and Onion (yum!).

I also enjoy the bulk section - local, organic whole wheat pasta!

My current fave section for perusing? Far corner: Klean Kanteens, recycled glass mugs, bambooware, cleaning supplies, beeswax candles.

Jordana's keywords: rainbow organic groceries

Jenn A.
378 reviews
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My favorite grocery store, regardless of reputation

I know what you're thinking - Rainbow Grocery? That overpriced joint? Full of sullen, unhelpful, pierced, tattooed employees? For the record, I've never worked there. Most of my customer service experiences have been ok -- but lately, I think some prices are getting out of hand (yes, they raised the price of Pacific Almond Milk to the same level as Whole Foods -- go to Trader Joe's).

They do have the best bulk food selection around -- and many organic products that are not found in Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. They have a gorgeous cheese selection for those who still eat cheese, and the best selection of raw sauerkraut ever (seriously!).

Rainbow Grocery will always be my favorite grocery store -- whenever I'm in San Francisco, with my car, I make sure to plan a shopping trip there for bulk spices, herbs, tea, pasta, dried fruit, olives, olive oil, wine and vitamins. And soap. And chocolate. Stop me before I start making a grocery list...

Jenn's keywords: organic coop grocery

Scott E.
8 reviews
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Rainbow Grocery

This is my favorite place to shop: Lots of sustainable choices. The lowest prices in town for sustainable foods. Socially responsible and engaged with the community. Ecologically committed. A worker cooperative. My only complaint is that there is only one Rainbow Grocery.

Scott's keywords: grocery

Ted H.
12 reviews
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What else is there to say.

I shop at Rainbow, because it reflects my values. Unlike Safeway which only cares about making a profit for its shareholders: Rainbow workers are the shareholders, so they know that they are working in a community to help a community.

They have a huge bulk section, and have pleny of organic veggies. I am also a vegetarian, so it's easy for me to shop and not accidentally buy something that has meat.

I also like that everybody, both worker and customers share the same values. You would be hard pressed to find a pro war Republican here.

Ted's keywords: market food grocery stores food coops nuts grain veggie organic vegetarians

Beth Terry
28 reviews
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Makes we want to move back to San Francisco

Every time I go into Rainbow Grocery, I wish I lived in San Francisco again. It is a wonder of fresh, organic produce, natural foods and body care products, and sustainable household products. But the best thing about Rainbow are the bulk bins. They carry over 800 bulk items: herbs, teas, spices, coffee, over a dozen types of rice, over 30 types of flour, all kinds of beans, whole grains, dried pastas & noodles, oils, cereals, dried fruit, a full olive bar, nut butters, miso, tofu, crackers and chocolate and trailmix, oh my! And on the other side of the store: bulk soaps, shampoos, massage oils, even washing soda. If you can't find something in bulk at Rainbow, it probably doesn't exist.

Recently, I discovered the wonders of Rainbow's bulk handmade pastas. That's right! Bring your own containers and fill them up with different kinds of fresh ravioli or gnocchi. No need for packaged frozen entrees when you can load up on these and freeze them for later. Rainbow rocks!

Beth's keywords: Rainbow Grocery bulk foods organic vegetarian

Jessica P.
89 reviews
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Rainbow Grocery

This is my new neighborhood grocery store, and boy did I luck out.

I was scared at first because I had been warned off by those who think it is too pricey (I get the feeling they weren't exactly interested in the organic-ness of the products, which are cheap when compared to Whole Foods) but I decided that I couldn't pass up a grocery that's in walking distance of the new pad.

I am another gusher when it comes to my love for Rainbow, and if I wasn't a bit lazy I would probably go there every day.
I could be very happy living in their bulk foods section, sleeping in bins of organic rice and bathing in fresh-ground peanut butter....

Okay, enough of my fantasies, but really, I am impressed!

Jessica's keywords: grocery co-op organic food bulk

Abendigo R.
285 reviews
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Rainbow rules but not all of the time

I get burned out on Rainbow if it's the only place I shop, so I mix it up a lot -- Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Bi-Rite, other local shops. And I love Rainbow all the more for it, because every time I come back to her, I appreciate her for all of the things that she does best -- bulk wonders, fruit and vegetables (excepting my CSA and the farmers market), more esoteric options, cheese, coffee, vitamins. And there's certainly an art to shopping right at Rainbow that I'm only still working at perfecting. Sometimes the whole experience can be a bit extreme for my tastes, and that's why I parse it out. I'm also an avid meat-eater so I have to get my meat elsewhere, since Rainbow is vegetarian. However, I don't eat meat all the time, so Rainbow truly balances me out. Rainbow rules but not all the time.

Abendigo's keywords: rainbow vegetarian grocery natural organic san francisco co-op worker owned

Jess C.
1 review
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Rainbow Grocery is the main reason why I won't move from San Francisco!

It's true :) Rainbow Grocery is the main reason why I won't move from San Francisco!

To me, it's like the size of Costco, but everything is vegetarian and mostly organic.

The best part is the educational info they have, especially the chart that helps you choose eggs from a company that doesn't cut off the beaks of the hens.

Plus, no other grocery store I know of carries fresh, organic lemongrass.

I have lived in Santa Cruz, and thought about moving to Oakland or Berkeley but none of their grocery stores compares to Rainbow.

Jess' keywords: San Francisco grocery organic vegetarian

Louda B.
81 reviews
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is there really a better option? um, no.

these people have the formula down right. they even have a formula for parking in their garage. local produce and bulk items are usually what i go for, but they have an insane amount of alternative health products. they are extremely knowledgeable about each product, so when you need to know the difference between black cohosh and black walnut, they'll tell you.

Louda's keywords: grocery local coop bulk foods

Amanda W.
1 review
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very good

Amanda's keywords: food

RJ H.
1 review
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Rainbow Grocer

Great organic foods and products and is worker owned. Always has thoughtful events and is powered by solar on the roof.

RJ's keywords: grocer

Gabriel A.
1 review
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Excellent worker-owned cooperative specializing in organic and local food. I go here to get items that I cannot get anywhere else. And the workers at Rainbow are eclectic, interesting, and show they care about natural food.

Gabriel's keywords: Co-operative Grocery

Shelly P.
1 review
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practice what they preach

No business can be 'perfect,' but rainbow grocery comes pretty damn close. from selling reusable bulk bags throughout their extensive bulk department, to keeping the produce department almost 100% organic and local, to keeping up to date talkers about pertinent issues (hydrogenated oils, child labour, etc) to not automatically bagging ones own groceries, etc. it's a comfortable place for vegans, vegetarians and carnivores alike to come and relearn the joy of grocery shopping.

Shelly's keywords: rainbow

Victoria S.
1 review
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The best health food store probably in the country, if not the world. Smart, intelligent, helpful and knowledgeable store salespeople. If you have a question about vitamins, if they don't know, they will assist you in getting the answer. Best prices.

Victoria's keywords: organic health foods

Jared R.
1 review
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Rainbow Rocks!!

Ever since I moved to the city I've been shopping at Rainbow Groceries on, I think Folsom St. It's a friendly place that has healthy organic products. They even tell you where the produce has traveled from so you can opt out of buying fruit that has traveled cross-country. I love Rainbow.

Jared's keywords: Food

Monisha M.
1 review
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Great Green Grocer

Along with all my San Francisco greenies, I believe that Rainbow Grocery is one of the best grocery stores when it comes to conservation, recycling, and living gently on the planet. I love that I can go to the store with empty bottles and bags and fill them with items from their bulk bins. The herbs and teas section is comprehensive with options for organic versions (pricier but possibly worth it). I love that I can recycle old/dead batteries there (some of the most toxic items in our landfills). I love the products available to make my kitchen greener. I also love the book section, filled with books that offer ideas and solutions on living more harmoniously with the planet.

Monisha's keywords: food books buy bulk recycling herbs tea

Xasvier W.
1 review
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THis is a great place to shop

The products are pure and the service is great. I go there once a month to get my supplies

Xasvier's keywords: grocery

Lydia T.
1 review
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I love this store and feel good about it's coop business.

Lydia's keywords: grocery

Karin T.
1 review
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My favorite gorcery store!

I love Rainbow Grocery. They have the best selection of organic and fair-trade products anywhere in the city. And, while it's not cheap, the prices are really reasonable.

Karin's keywords: grocery organic fair trade

Amy G.
1 review
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somewhere inside the raibow

smiles shine brightly as i walk through the door. sincerely helpful attitudes and knowledgeable advice are always available at a rainbow grocery store. my questions are answered and my needs are more than met after each visit. the selection and variety of products and produce are outstanding. above all, the company itself is committed to ethical practices and positive customer experiences.

Amy's keywords: rainbow