Menomonie Market Food Co-op

Blue

2020-05

The Menomonie Market Food Coop had truly become almost a destination store. From humble, but still fantastic beginnings in the small space across from the Waterfront, to the full-size space it has now.The selection is superb, prices are fair for what is being sold, and staff go above-and-beyond to make it a good experience every time I visit.Definitely stop here if you are if town.

Lynne Willett

2024-03

A place I visit about twice a week for fresh produce options, tasty fresh bread, and friendly, helpful staff who treat customers well.

Jocelyn Schleicher

2024-01

This company preaches that they are all for feedback, community, and bettering themselves but refuse to listen to employee complaints and concerns. Even going as far as to block comments on their social medias like TikTok to stop former and current employees from voicing their grievances. Accountability is not an option at MMFC. Self responsibility is listed as a co-op principle which is not found at this co-op which has been made obvious the last year. Shame on the management here for silencing their crew and discouraging them from voicing their opinions then shaming and shunning those who leave because their voices are never heard.

Jordyn S

2023-05

The Menomonie Market Food Co-Op has the absolute best salad bar I’ve ever encountered. Great selection of products. I can’t wait to visit again!

Hi It Is Me

2023-11

Place has gone down hill with the new management. Ever since they announced a new store manager employees have been vocally unhappy about their employment. Was good for a time. Even took the leap and became an owner. Very disappointed in the downward spiral this place seems to be in currently. No good soups available these days and are all the same kinds. Asked someone in the deli why and when I could see things like the loaded potato soup my husband and I loved so much and they said they were using FROZEN SOUPS! If I wanted prepackaged and premade food I wouldn’t be shopping here I would go somewhere cheaper like Walmart. At least they don’t try to lie to you about the quality of food you are receiving and hide it behind a huge price tag! Try to charge me a ridiculous price for a soup you guys just heated up? Not only that, but the shelf has been inconsistent the last few months. I remember being able to go just back even in March and get to have a variety of items, but now I have the option of maybe 4 things each time I go in. Plenty of cheeses though. Alcohol selection is good at least. Might stop in for some local brews and the delicious hot bar items (thank god the deli is at least getting that right still!), but that’s just about the only reason I see to stop in this place anymore. Always loved the from scratch style to deli had, but frozen soup doesn’t fit that description and truly has made me lose the trust I had in the co-op and it’s healthy, “made for you” food

Megan King

2023-11

Once I would have raved about how passionate, uplifting, and wonderful the Menomonie Market Food Co-op is. Last November, when I first started here this place revived my spirit. It helped remind me how beautiful life can be. It gave me a sense of community. Unfortunately, times change, and I now look at the place with disgust. Change is good when executed correctly, but there was no support for staff which caused major distress.The first controversy was the pay cut they made look like a raise. We had paid breaks which was removed. In its place, we received a raise to even it out. However, the math was not adding up and everyone got very upset. I composed an anonymous letter on the behalf of six staff members because most were too afraid of being reprimanded for questioning the GM. I noticed the next morning the general manager was more concerned with discovering who wrote the letter instead of the fact that their staff members were extremely upset. So, we had something management called, “listening sessions” where we could voice our concerns. They did listen to what we had to say, but it was basically said that something else upsetting will happen in the future that will make us forget how hurt we are. That we can be upset, but the general manager is the one in control. One of the staff members has been at the co-op during the roughest patches of the Covid-19 lockdown and still was voicing this is the worst the morale has been, ever.Ever since then I have questioned the intentions of the Co-op. I thought back to my initial interview in which I asked why the turnover was so bad, how instead of expanding so fast the co-op could instead give their staff an affordable living wage, how staff who have been there for countless years were quitting, I thought about the breakroom wall looks with all the anonymous notes screaming for reform. One of the questions on the wall asks, “how is management going to fix morale – staff are going home in tears every day – this needs to get fixed.” The solution from the general manager and the store manager is to utilize our free EAP and “through them the co-op offers real counseling.” At this point it is a toxic relationship: we are screaming for help and instead of higher management being our advocate and changing the work culture for the sake of their loyal staff, they tell us to get therapy.I have not even worked there a whole year, and I felt like a senior staff member there. Everyone else left. The Menomonie Market Food Co-op looks good, is all sunshine's on the outside, but do not be fooled by its thin sugar coating. Enough tears landing on it dissolved the weak façade. It is quite easy to see the staff members are not happy; the energy just gets sucked out of you the moment you step in there. I miss what we used to stand for.It is clear the Menomonie Market Food Co-op, at least from the very top of the ladder, strives for artificial harmony. Behind closed doors, the majority are unhappy but do not feel safe communicating how they feel. Without the safety of anonymity, staff feels like there would be a target placed on their backs.All I can say is, I tried. I saw the co-op’s potential, how it could be something truly great, but it is not. I have given up. I do not recommend working at the Menomonie Market Food Co-op, unless you are very good at keeping your head down, staying in line, and not questioning authority. If you just focus on the things that you can control, you could find success there. But do not recommend wasting time at a place that wants to keep their staff in a box.The most devastating part about quitting the co-op is losing my connection to the people. The customers are an absolute dream to interact with and are the nicest, most genuine group of people I have ever happened upon. I hold them all close to my heart. They are the only reason I stuck around for as long as I did. I am genuinely sorry to disappoint anyone who reads this, but this is real, this is happening, and this is the Menomonie Market Food Co-op.

Matt Flatland

2023-11

Great selection of organic and gluten-free products. Employees are always friendly.

Hanahh Eggum

2018-05

Wonderful healthy options including lots of vegan options! Fantastic staff that are also well informed about their products. Super customer service and a delicious deli with lots of options

Justin Schmidt

2023-05

Kits if high quality healthy foods.convienent and no crowded.good deals on things if u spend tome looking

Laura Stocker

2023-08

Cute little store with many items you can't find at most grocery stores, in terms of gluten/dairy free foods....I like it to cause I can shop for more healthy choices without being tempted by junk food in other stores...lol Cashiers are always friendly, greeting you on your way in and sending you off with a 😃

Ben Bayerl

2022-05

I appreciate the employees and majority of customers following CDC guidelines. I also appreciate the variety of vegan options. Friendly, helpful service. Lots of local and/or organic, high-quality products. I now shop here several times per week.

Erin Sharp

2023-07

Nice to see a co-op in this small town! That said i recommend the farmers market in the summer. Produce selection is tiny and most items are organic expensive.

Gerald “Jerry” Porter

2024-03

Great market with local farm and organic products. Great fresh, prepared food. Great breakfast burrito this morning, hot and ready to go.

Miranda Debee

2020-05

Great product variety for a smaller local business. Friendly staff members willing to go above and beyond to help out their customers, awesome deals throughout the week, especially over at the deli, and a great place to spend money supporting the local community. I personally love the fresh foods prepared every day in the bakery and deli, and the local veggies and fruits, milk, and even honey, always get me thinking about dinner. Can surely say that I will continue shopping here for years. Love my local co-op!

Joshua Wines

2023-05

Absolutely amazing selection. You're paying for it for sure but we really enjoy the quality and options. Coming from a more urban area, it's real treat for such a small community

Rachael Nichols

2020-05

While the price is expensive, you definitely get what you pay for! The food is amazing, fresh, and organic. They also offer classes and events every month. Their hot bar also has some of the most delicious food I've ever had. It's a great place to grab a bite to eat or buy groceries for your home!

Tonya Schmitt

2020-05

This store has great selection, prices, atmosphere, and staff! Delicious deli items in both hot bar and grab-n-go. Also, fun, environmentally aware gifts. Parking is ample. Outdoor and indoor seating for enjoying your deli items.

Sherry Z

2023-10

Love the deli bar, especially how they made tofu, wish I knew their cuisine

JJ Wiley

2022-05

My little sanctuary. The workers hearts 🌟of gold💛 will keep you warm during winter months and cool 😎 during the hot summer days. They smile 😊 and my reaction is to smile 😃.Good G D don’t miss out 🙉on your health here at Menomonie Market.Hangout by the meat section and see how hard they deliver the best nutrition on the planet 🌎 to this community. When you enter, it’s like a portal into a glorious life filled greeting that delivers you with a smile 😃 of all the colors of the rainbow fruits and vegetables.☔️ 🌈🥩 ♾🌅🌺🎁🍫🌅🍰🍠

Jacob Johnston

2023-05

All time best grocery store. You can become an owner. Great produce, great mushrooms, microgreens, local 100% grass-fed bison. An entire cheese department. Dozens of different kombuchas. Local freshly roasted coffee. A deli that makes baked goods and to go food. If you get there before 7:00 p.m. the deli's open you can order hot food like sandwiches and such. They also make really great salads, they have local spirits and wines. They have an alcoholic kombucha that's really fun and pretty rare to find. Having an entire wellness aisle filled with every holistic everything. The best part is it is a cooperative so you can easily buy in and tell everyone you own a grocery store. And being a owner has lots of benefits and we get to vote for the board of directors. It's a really wholesome place.

Grace Wilsmann

2022-05

Very good vibes, smells, eats, and atmosphere! Great customer service from the staff and I look forward to going there. My now husband and I actually used to go on dates here during our dating days because it was just a great place to visit.

Sammy Murphy

2022-05

I became an owner because I love this place so much. I'm here almost every day and am grateful we have expanded and joined Eau Claire. I look forward to seeing what comes next!

Emma McG

2019-05

I love the Menomonie food coop! There is always a welcoming and friendly atmosphere and the food is always great. There is a large variety as well from local farms, to vegan friendly, to skin care friendly and more. This is my go to for a health meal and if I am in a hippie mood. (Great parking as well. Also very close to the farmers market in the summer.)

JOLENE HENDRICKSON

2023-12

The gal in front was extremely helpful and assisted me in locating what I needed

memaw G

2024-04

Great store, great food,...

Kylie Godfrey

2021-05

We love this co-op. I like to get local food (produce, dairy, meat) and it can be hard to do that, especially in the winter. But this co-op has all of it available in one convenient place. The prices are pretty good and it keeps more money in the community. The store is very clean and well taken care of.

Felicia Lee

2022-05

This place is the best when you're looking for that odd ingredient or you need some palo santo to cleanse the negativity from your home. The atmosphere is great and the employees are so kind.They serve hot meals to-go and delicious sweets! Try the pumpkin bars!!

Becky Witt

2017-05

Pricey. Love the idea and concept of a food co-op with organic and local food, however, the price is just too high when compared to local farmer's markets and other grocery stores that sell the same brands. Not very allergy friendly in terms of their hot bar. Very few gluten and/or dairy free options.

Tina Freeberg

2019-05

We travel around the state and into the twin cities for work. This is the best little Co-op east of the Twin Cities. There is such a homey feel to this place and everyone is so friendly. When you're new in town, that's a really nice feeling. They have a wonderful hot bar that's always delish. We have the same cooperative in Stevens Point but I wish they had a nice hot bar. These guys have just about anything you could want from a high end Co-op. I love this place.

Shelby Erickson

2019-05

The co-op is such a friendly place. Classes are reasonably priced and engaging. Produce is fresh and bright, there's a good selection of products for varying diets, the hot bar and bakery items are always tempting, and the bulk section is great on the budget and the planet.