Whole Foods type grocery store in Cedar Rapids/Iowa City? (Coralville: co-op, buy)

[darkone]

The title asks the question. Is their an equivalent of a grocery store for a health-conscious consumer in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area? For those who are familiar with Whole Foods and/or Trader Joe's, is there anything like one of these stores in the area? Thanks.

[iowegian]

New Pioneer Co-Op is going to be your best bet. They have two locations: one at Washington & Van Buren in Iowa City and one on the Coralville Strip between 10th and 12th. Here's their website with more information: Home

[Chicago60614]

Yeah, In Iowa City New-Pioneer is the leader. I think it's actually a step above Whole Foods and Trader Joe's (from going to those stores often in Chicago). New Pioneer is one of the oldest organic grocery stores in the country. Whole Foods/Trader Joe's are nice, but they get a little "dumbed down" because they've become such streamlined chains.

It's kinda natural New Pioneer would be near the top though - given Iowa is one of the leaders in food for our country. Most products are easily at hand.

[darkone]

That's good to know, in the event that I relocate to the area ...

I am a fan of flaxseed (instead of potato) chips, soy (instead of cow milk) ice cream and green tea. As long as I can obtain these staples, I will be content.

[wisdomseeker7]

I recently moved to Iowa from the Southern California area. The New Pioneer may offer goods like Trader Joe's but they do not offer Store Brand goods like TJ's does and therefore their prices are substantially higher.
Maybe the scarcity of these healthy alternative stores out here suggest that there are less people interested in healthy alternatives in this part of the Country?
It always comes down to demand when competitiveness can affect prices. There are NO alternatives here so New Pioneer can ask top dollar for healthy alternatives. These high prices exclude many people from eating healthy because they are priced out of such choices.
HyVee has a healthy alternative section that is limited. I compare these two and buy at the one that wins the cost war!

[smpliving]

Originally Posted by wisdomseeker7

I recently moved to Iowa from the Southern California area. The New Pioneer may offer goods like Trader Joe's but they do not offer Store Brand goods like TJ's does and therefore their prices are substantially higher.
Maybe the scarcity of these healthy alternative stores out here suggest that there are less people interested in healthy alternatives in this part of the Country?
It always comes down to demand when competitiveness can affect prices. There are NO alternatives here so New Pioneer can ask top dollar for healthy alternatives. These high prices exclude many people from eating healthy because they are priced out of such choices.
HyVee has a healthy alternative section that is limited. I compare these two and buy at the one that wins the cost war!

I am originally from Southern California. A lot of Iowans grow their own food and can for the winter. There is a Fresh Market in town but their food is not locally grown. In Iowa City, there is the Bread Garden on the Ped Mall. I like the Hy-Vee on Edgewood Road. It offers enough variety for me, but coming from California, I realize it's a shock. There are also many farmer's markets throughout the city during the week, with the main one downtown during the summer. NewBo may have more to offer in the winter time.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by rigizug

I am originally from Southern California. A lot of Iowans grow their own food and can for the winter. There is a Fresh Market in town but their food is not locally grown. In Iowa City, there is the Bread Garden on the Ped Mall. I like the Hy-Vee on Edgewood Road. It offers enough variety for me, but coming from California, I realize it's a shock. There are also many farmer's markets throughout the city during the week, with the main one downtown during the summer. NewBo may have more to offer in the winter time.

They do?

[smpliving]

Originally Posted by ElleTea

They do?

Let me rephrase that ... yes, many that I know do.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by rigizug

Let me rephrase that ... yes, many that I know do.

I was just questioning since I lived in Iowa 40 years and never knew anyone who did! Not a soul!

[smpliving]

wow ... I know plenty with their gardens or the city garden if they don't have their own backyard or land. I'm surprised at how many actually do canning, including some men. I actually started growing my own tomatoes (easy), lettuce, and peppers when I had a yard ... something I never dreamed of doing in CA. I guess it's not as widespread in Iowa as I thought it was.