Our first featured city is the one and only Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Okay, that’s actually two.
The Twin Cities have consistently been ranked as some of the healthiest cities in America. These rankings are based on traits like availability of outdoor parks and exercise spaces, and access to fresh fruits and vegetables. We want to highlight the restaurants, cafes, co-ops and natural places in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area that are worth supporting. This qualification is based on their dedication to providing quality food, supporting their local community, and encouraging exposure to the refreshing outdoors.
To begin, our focus is the plentiful collection of food co-operatives spread throughout these cities. Minnesota has a long history with these coops, as many of them were started in the 1970s and 80s. What began as small groups of people volunteering their time in return for access to bulk foods and products with quality ingredients has turned into thriving community-centered and consumer-owned spaces where access to organic and local produce, a variety of bulk products, free healthy-living classes, and getting to know your cashier are realities.
Below are the most popular Food Co-ops in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Seward
Seward Community Co-op is one of the most well-known co-ops in the Twin Cities area. Located in the heart of Minneapolis, you’ll find a dynamic and vibrant environment in either their Franklin or Friendship spaces. If you’re in the mood for some healthy comfort food to warm you up on a cold Minnesota day, look no further than their daily hot bar with options for everyone. Not feeling the hot bar? Why not try a burrito, or a freshly-made juice to your specifications? There’s something for everyone at Seward.
Locations and Hours
8am-10pm daily
Franklin Store – 2823 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Friendship Store – 317 E 38th St, Minneapolis, MN 55409
The Wedge
Equally unique, the Wedge has a focus on supporting local vendors who specialize in alternative foods and organic practices. Peruse their list of local products and make sure to try at least one! Sustainability is key at the Wedge. They not only compost and recycle, but also operate out of a LEED-certified building at the Wedge Table, as well as publish a sustainability report each year to make sure they keep working towards their goals. If you’re looking for a chill place to grab a coffee or healthy lunch and spend some quality time with a friend, hop on over to the Wedge Table, a cafe and gathering space with some delicious options.
Locations and Hours
8am-10pm daily
Wedge Lyndale – 2105 South Lyndale Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55405
Wedge Table – 2412 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Lakewinds
Quality reigns supreme at Lakewinds. Emphasis is put on organic and local products free of harmful substances. In fact, they have a whole page on their website dedicated to sharing the standards they follow when choosing products, as well as a long list of ingredients they refuse to allow in the store. If you want some hot pizza loaded with organic veggies and local cheeses, head on over to their Chanhassen location. Feelin’ a burrito instead? Minnetonka has the classics as well as one with roasted vegetables perfect for vegans and plant-eaters. Make sure to try the variety of salsa toppings from Red Onion Cilantro to Roasted Tomatillo. Looking for a lighter option? Their Richfield location has what you need, like fresh kombucha, sushi made on site, and smoothies made to your liking!
Locations and Hours
Hours: 7am-9pm daily
Chanhassen – 435 Pond Promenade, Chanhassen, MN 55317
Minnetonka – 17501 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
Richfield – 6420 Lyndale Ave S, Richfield, MN 55423
Linden Hills
If you need a sweet treat, Linden Hills Co-op has just what you need. Their bakery uses local ingredients and only natural food dyes to create scones, cookies, bars, pies and cakes! What more could you want, really? If you’re trying to eat more healthfully, but need a little push and some simplification, as long as you can get yourself in the door, you’ll be successful. Pick up one of their brand new Local Crate Meal Kits and get yourself in business! These kits include all the locally-sourced ingredients necessary to make a delicious and healthy meal for two, and a recipe card so you don’t even have to think. Just have fun and enjoy your meal with peace of mind.
Location and Hours
8am-9pm daily
Minneapolis – 3815 Sunnyside Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55410
Mississippi Market
Buying in bulk is important at Mississippi Market. Not only do they make it easy with a simple how-to guide so everyone can feel comfortable, they also feature local companies and products, made right here in the Twin Cities. Speaking of local, if you’re in the need of some cheese a little fancier than your everyday cheddar, check out their large selection of unique and tasty varieties from dairies in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Perfect to switch up a morning breakfast sandwich, or an evening wine and cheese board.
Locations and Hours
7:30am-9:30pm daily*
East 7th Street – 740 E 7th St, St Paul, MN 55106 *(closes at 9pm)
Selby – 622 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55104
West 7th Street – 1500 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102
Eastside
Eastside Food Co-op is where it’s at if you want a specialty beverage that seems to only exist on Instagram. Wanna sip on a fruity smoothie with a chic name like Marshall Terrace made creamy with avocado, a healthy pour of flax oil to fix your omega 3 to 6 ratio, and a sprinkle of bee pollen on top? Your imagination can come to life at their beverage bar. Drink in hand, be sure to peruse their featured items chosen from co-operatives with a better-than-fair trade focus and farms working on rebuilding our precious soil.
Location and Hours
8am-9pm daily
Minneapolis – 2551 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Valley Natural Foods
If you happen to be traveling through the south of the cities, make sure to stop for lunch at Valley Natural Foods. Four soup varieties are offered daily, with Chicken Wild Rice, Cashew Chili and Split Pea Lentil being some of the most popular. In addition to the soups and salad/hot bar selections, Valley has numerous fresh deli salads, meatloafs, quiches and sandwiches. Their bakery case is stocked full of brownies, cookies, and muffins, and their certified gluten-free bakehouse brings in the most delicious baked goods that are often more popular than the traditional kinds! There’s something for everyone at Valley, and with their soon-to-be expanded store, the options will only increase.
Location and Hours
8am-9pm daily
Burnsville – 13750 Co Rd 11, Burnsville, MN 55337
Traveling outside of the Twin Cities?
Stop at one of the Co-ops below with similar offerings!
River Market
9am-9pm daily
Stillwater – 221 Main St N, Stillwater, MN 55082
Spiral Foods
M-F: 9am-8pm; S: 9am-7pm; Su: 10am-6pm
Hastings – 1250 S Frontage Rd, Hastings, MN 55033
Just Food
7am-9pm daily
Northfield – 516 Water St S # 101, Northfield, MN 55057
*Bonus Goodies*
*Have you heard of the Chinook Book? If not, it’s a book/app full of coupons for all types of places and products that qualify as local and sustainable. All of these food co-ops have coupons, and you can download a free 30-day trial right to your phone! Here’s a list of coupons to the grocery stores and co-ops in the area!
*Click here for a list and map of all the Co-ops listed.
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