Blue Hill Co-op

Had so much fun at the blue hill co op. Feels like a mini trader joes in there. With so much more options than the everyday grocery store. I live an hour away from here and absolutely loved it. They also have a cafe inside and outside. We sat in the Cafe and someone played the piano while we enjoyed the lunch we bout while we were there. Definitely a wide selection of products from fresh to frozen and so much more. Can't wait to go again!

Very pleasant staff! You've GOT to try the Tinder Hearth bread they stock by the entrance in brown paper bags! Tinder Hearth is the best bread I've had since leaving San Francisco and the amazing sourdough they're known for.

Amazing store full of healthy, amazing food, much of which is local. The prices are very fair, quality and selection is also impressive. We’re somewhat new to the area but this will definitely be my #1 stop for groceries.

As both a casual customer and as a previous employee, I do absolutely love this place. When I was an employee, I felt respected and valued, the benefits and discounts given were generous given the size of the store, and I knew that they always worked to give us the fairest wages. My coworkers were lovely, and I honestly loved being a part of their team. As a customer, the specialty products, local products, and high quality products have always attracted me and had my husband and I coming back to stock up on our favorites!

Great grocery store and cafe to grab a meal! Up scale shopping with fantastic vegan and gluten free options. We stopped here to get groceries on our way up to Lubec.

Growing up, I spent my summers visiting my grandparents in Surry, and one of the things I looked forward to every year was a trip to the old Blue Hill Co-op. It was small, intimate, and full of character. The food was high quality, the staff were kind, and it genuinely felt like a community hub. It wasn’t just a place to shop — it had soul. After nearly a decade away, I recently moved to Castine and was genuinely excited to revisit the Co-op and see how it had grown. Unfortunately, I was disappointed by what I found. The new location feels more like a small supermarket than a co-op. It’s lost that personal, community-driven atmosphere that made it special. The space is larger, but not more inviting. The focus feels more corporate, more profit-oriented — and that shift is hard to ignore. The food and service are still fine, but they’re not what they used to be. There’s a distinct sense that the Co-op traded its identity for scale, and in doing so, lost much of what made it worth visiting in the first place. I wish I could say it still feels like the Co-op I once knew — but it doesn’t.

The cafe is always disappointing. It take so long to get food (15-20mins at best) and when it comes out I can’t eat it. My eggs were burnt and smelled bad and covered in salt, the cream cheese amount didn’t cover half of one side. You’re better off starving.

This is one of my absolute favorite places to shop or grab a bite to eat! If I pay for my groceries with EBT, I’m able to get half off my produce! Such an amazing program that allows me to provide healthy, organic food for my children. On top of that, the smoothies from the cafe are delicious! Great to sip on when you’re cruising through the store 😊

For those who remember the previous teeny-tiny Blue Hill Co-op location on the other side of Blue Hill, the new location will blow you away. It's MUCH larger-- more products, more space in which to look for them-- and the space is even better designed and maintained than Tradewinds, the conventional market down the street. My wife and I were particularly impressed by the selection of bulk goods (including not just bulk staples but also spices and liquid goods like cooking oil, honey, and laundry detergent), which is a vastly superior way to shop but frustratingly difficult to find markets that support. My family has gone to Tradewinds for our Blue Hill grocery shopping in the past because we didn't think the Co-op was extensive enough to be a one-stop shop, but now that we've seen the Co-op's new location and great selection, we'll definitely be coming here more often instead. The one thing about the Co-op that seems limited is its meat selection. They do carry some local and regional meats, which is a nice touch, but of particular note, they do not stock seafood. Fortunately, there are other options in the area for that-- worst-case scenario, you could just go to the seafood counter at the Tradewinds down the street. Bottom line, this seems like a great addition (or rather, expansion) to the Blue Hill area, and we look forward to shopping here again.

Great selection of healthy fresh food. Very pleasant and helpful staff. Overall nice vibe.

It feels good to shop in a store filled with quality goods from local vendors. The cafe offers some nice hot options and delicious sandwiches. The baked goods are amazing! Especially the ginger bread cookies. Lovely patio where u can enjoy your treats. The salad bar could use a few more choices. Definitely worth it!

Good selection, great smoothies, but some of the slowest service I've ever seen--not busy but we waited 45 minutes for simple lunches.

What a wonderful market & sandwich shop! Top quality products in a casual & friendly setting. The new building is top-notch.

Overpriced Maine local & organic goods / produce. The to-go food from the cafe is nothing special but can be a lifesaver if you need healthy grab n go food in Blue Hill.

We stopped in during a short visit to Blue Hill and were impressed by the organic produce, wines and locally made cheeses. The deli fare looked inviting, but we had just enjoyed breakfast at our inn so we took a pass.

Such a great concept and a wonderful version in the Blue Hill Peninsula. Fantastic assortment and lovely staff. Milkweed and Monarch Baking featured here, WOW. The layout is very conducive to a positive shopping experience. The cafe has a great selection, regretfully, our experience was not comfortable due to the super slow service. Everyone is very kind but needs to develop a different pace, IMHO. I was not pressed for time but still, with only 3 people waiting, 20 minutes was a long wait for our service. Otherwise, fantastic. I appreciated the accessibility for a clean loo.

Over priced. Great local veggies sometimes. Nice baked goods. As a nonwhite out of town visitor I have to say most people working there seem unfriendly and non-dialogical, until I walk away and they're speaking to someone else, perhaps someone they know. Insular?

After living in Bar Harbor/Ellsworth for the last 3 years, I am so excited that I finally made it over to the Blue Hill Co-op. Hands down, this is the best grocery store in the area for vegetarian/vegans. They have vegan marshmallows that I haven't been able to find since moving here from the Midwest! Lots of beautiful produce and a well-stocked grab-and-go case.

This local business can only be described as one word: AMAZING. You will not be disappointed at all and with delicious food made that day, you can rest assured that you'll be eating good. In the back, they have a comfortable hangout area for people who want to hang out, work or just enjoy delicious coffee and sit.

I like this grocery store a lot. It's pricey but you get what you pay for. They try to source as much a possible from local farmers and businesses so that is great for promoting small business and local farms that practice regenerative agriculture like four season farms.

This is a cute little co-op here in Maine. Lots of locally sourced things, which is always good to see. If you are looking for cheap Walmart-esque items, keep looking. Items are fair-market, which is reflected in the price. Don't be discouraged and know you are actually supporting workers.

I want to thank Blue Hill Co-op for having someone at the entrance who wipes down the carts and offers gloves (i think masks too, I did not check). I wish all the patrons were better at social distancing but this is just how some people are. For instance, do your best to not pass right by someone and speak "sorry" at the same time, and wait until someone is finished getting their selection before coming up to the same area. The selection of dry goods, refrigerated and fresh local produce is excellent. They even had my favorite chocolate on special so that was an extra treat. And I needed some ice to travel and they were accommodating. Prices were a bit more than my local co-op for some items (not all), but then again we are at the edge of the world up here and I was happy and grateful to get healthy foods --- and be a patron to contribute at this challenging time to support this amazing store and the staff there who I thank immensely. I also love the local items they have, and a great selection of pickled items. They also had a great display with items on sale, which I thought was extra nice. I didn't grab a smoothie or prepared foods, but they have that there for take-out or dine in (There are tables outside set up too) as well.

Great spot! Been going to the CoOp for years! They werent prepared when they moved to their new location, lacking registers, people to check out, and so forth, but we're sure they'll get that right. Congratulations on the new, spacious location!

Yes, we LOVED the old Blue Hill coop on Route 15 - next to Hammond Lumber - so convenient. Yes, we have bad luck of the new store opening the week we had to come into shop. First time was rather sweet because it was during the soft launch and you could tell - Today workers are pouring more concrete - and staying open while construction is hard - and too many August shoppers and tourists on a hot week day. Agreed. That said, today we went in and 2 staff members were off-putting. One kind soul did try to help me locate items, but then dashed off as I tried to ask where another item might be. The House Manager Cat checked me out and was curt and quite rude as she multi-tasked to ask another worker a question. She snapped at me. Do I see the stress that a new store and new roles, and new employees must bring on to all? Yes. Please breathe - do remember the customer comes first - try to be mindful - and, you can never say thank you enough or say I am sorry if you catch your words to be scratchy. We will be back, of course. We will look for new natural stores and ways to buy on Deer Isle and the area. Mary W.

My family and I have been vacationing in Maine every other year for the past 10 and my mom was in desperate need of Soldier Beans. Where I'm from in Philadelphia, I guess we just don't have them. After trying a couple of farmers stands, one recommended the Co-Op. He even called to see if they had them and yes they did! My mom and I took the trip. Found the place easily enough, and it was filled with fresh produce, prepared foods, organic everything, and Soldier Beans! As a bonus, they even had Hubbard Squash which my mom was in search of. No Fiddleheads, but they were out of season. 2 out of 3 isn't bad, though! 13lbs of Soldier Beans and 12lbs of Hubbard Squash coming home to Philadelphia makes my mom very happy so it makes me happy, too. Prices are a little high, but we're not members of the Co-Op which would get you a discount I suppose. If I lived nearby, I'd be a member.

Agreed with a previous post that you can get most things you need, while paying a ton. We are long-time members of several co-ops, and while I want to support the co-op, I find myself needing to shop at other local and non-local venues for more vegan options and better prices. Having had decades of experience as a food co-op member, I am disappointed that this co-op does not make its products more financially accessible to the general public, as well as its local co-op member base.

I was so glad to find the Blue Hill Co-op while in Maine! Having already procured basic groceries to stock our vacation fridge, we were able to supplement our coffers with local yogurt, organic veggies, and Hillary's Veggie Burgers (which we had never tried before but are in love with! Where can I find them in Cleveland?!). It made our eating-in experiences all the more enjoyable! The prices do seem a bit high, but I was not at all surprised since they are clearly offering products that one cannot find elsewhere in the vicinity. On our way out of town we stopped in to see if there was something for breakfast and I am sure glad that we did! Egg sandwiches made-to-order and a plethora of gluten-free pastries! It made my day! Next time we are in town we will certainly be stopping by again!

Great place. They have everything that we packed for our little vacation, thinking no place in town would have anything that we needed. Lots of great produce and a nice grab n go cafe woth seating. Very friendly staff too.

I very seldom do reviews - but this one is a must. I was vacationing in Bar Harbor and needed some Dr. Bronner products (which are great by the way). Blue Hill Co-op was the only store in the general area that carried specifically what I needed. So I made the 30 mile - 50 minute drive. I was totally blown away. Blue Hill is the type of place where you leave happier and feel better than when you came in. The friendly, helpful staff and the impressive line of top-notch products was simply amazing. I also had the chance to also experience the cafe and thoroughly enjoyed everything I ordered (the origin of my "feel better than when you came in" comment above). In fact, I made a second trip from Bar Harbor that week to load up on all my new favorites before heading home. Cheers to Blue Hill Co-op!

Stopped in for breakfast and groceries and was impressed with all the products and the delicious breakfast sandwich cooked to order with local ingredients. Nice friendly staff , warm dining area with beautiful art. Can't wait to go back.

This is an interesting place. They have everything you need for a health conscience feast. You will pay out the door for it though. The bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich with tomato was delightful. The bread was flavorful and held everything together. The bacon were nice slabs on the medium- thick side. We have the best tomatoes from NJ, and these rivaled them. So juicy and tasted like organic matter. Not something that has had all of the flavor frozen out of it. I inhaled the sandwich. My g/f and I were picnicing in Acadia that day so we stocked up on provisions. The curried chicken sandwich was even more amazing than the breakfast sandwich. I have never had one with curry powder mixed in and it livened up what normally is a good sandwich into something better. We also picked up a block of cheese and Applegate soprassata. I may have been over charged, even with re-adding the steep prices something was a little askew. Friendly staff that are very helpful with suggestions.

Full disclosure, I was employed by the Blue Hill Co-op for over 10 years and remain today a fully vested owner... The Coop is a great place to grab a bit to eat, meet up with friends, and shop for groceries. You can find local produce from farms only a few miles away. They have a great selection of cheeses for near and far. The cafe has a good selection of both hot and cold items, some made to order others found in the grab and go. The bulk section is amazing! It's the only place I go to to shop for my spices. (They're fresher and much more affordable than what you find at typical grocery stores.) The prices are what you would expect for a local, organic, small business. Don't expect big conglomerate/Walmart prices, but do expect small town personal service. I stock up on my favorite items when they go on sale to get the best value. The new store is great. I can't wait to see how they grow into it.

Wonderful people. Great deli. Beautiful produce. Terrific selection of natural bug sprays.

Prices are high, but totally worth it for the bulk foodstuffs (maple syrup! balsamic!), bulk quality whole spices, the coffee, and most of the produce. Definitely worth buying your produce here if you don't have the luxury to travel around to different farms for your weekly shopping. And I'm a sucker for their fancy candy bars and THE BEST chocolate milk I've ever tasted, sold in bottles near the register.

My fave placeto grabs coffee on the go. Of course perfect place for yummy health food options ;)

All their sandwiches are incredible, but the prices are crazy high for certain things. Like an egg salad sandwich with lettuce is the same as a beautiful enormous burrito. Everyone there is super nice and they carry a lot of things that are hard to find.

Combines an organic food market with a small café. They have been in business in the same location for many years, and are an expression of the middle-class counterculture that moved into this peninsula starting in the 1970s. Good fresh, local produce (that could be arranged more appealingly) and local artisanal bread, plus the usual co-op grocery fare, plus some over the counter natural pharmacy items. Café serves breakfast; lunch sandwiches and fare also; good coffee. Portions not generous, but café prices are reasonable. It's an old building with a funky, crowded, homemade look and feel, kind of like an old farm house. They could use a larger, newer, cleaner building; after many years of use, the place is looking worn, and in summer the parking lot is sometimes difficult to get into. But they have a loyal local following, as well they should. The younger staff is friendly, the older ones matter-of-fact. Summer folks on the go as well as local professionals find the café pleasant (if sometimes crowded) for breakfast and lunch. Although the area has several farmers' markets, especially during the growing season, it's the most reliable place for organic produce on the peninsula, unless you grow your own.

We were not expecting to find a co-op like this in Maine, let alone such an incredibly nice one. They make food here too, and it is very, very good.