Mariposa Food Co-op

I love co-ops I don’t get to them enough. You can really find some great deals. This is in a nice older style building and much more of a neighborhood market. It’s got a nice small friendly feel to it. They’re a very nice Selection of produce some really great organic vegan and vegetarian products and we found some really good deals that bagels that were marked down half price grabbed some of those also a vegan cupcake along with some regular every day things that we use very nice people here.

Just reviewing today to say there is a newish staff member, a younger person with beautiful curly hair, who is so so kind! I had such a great interaction with them and their smile made my day better.

They treat their employees terribly. They advertise and disguise themselves as a workplace that “aligns with social justice values” and then mistreat the people who are actually maintaining the space and serving the community. Ableist, racist, trans/queerphobic. I cannot count the amount of times I’ve heard horror stories from previous employees from Mariposa and how they were disrespected and undervalued. I haven’t shopped at Mariposa in a very long time because of this as well as the fact that it’s pricey and not accessible and it’s disappointing to see that management hasn’t changed and is still lying about their community disposition. Sad, sad business.

I really wish the co-op was better, especially because it is the only grocery option in this area for a few miles. But unfortunately it is not great. It's a bit pricey, and you can't always guarantee the quality of the food is fresh. I've had okay service when I've gone, but I've heard management has not treated former employees or board members well. They abruptly cut off a relationship with a vendor that I really liked. It's a shame, it could be much better.

I’ve shopped at Mariposa as a member-owner for a decade now and it’s really gone downhill. Produce is often wilted or way past its prime and being sold at full price. There are often no “regular” affordable versions of basic items like sandwich bread (for example, today I paid $9 for “white sandwich bread” that turned out to be sourdough and frankly isn’t even good.) As others have noted, there is a lot of staff turnover and sometimes unpleasant or tense interactions with staff. I don’t know what the root cause of all these issues is but I hope management corrects them. The neighborhood needs a better option for groceries than what we have now.

They have bulks herbs! Not a huge selection but I was expecting nada so this was a pleasant surprise. As a local Ayurvedic Practitioner/Herbalist it's good to know that I can get basics if I run out and need to fill an order asap. It was really easy to get a member(owner)ship, too --- I like that I can pay the equity overtime ($25 every quarter for 2 years), and cash out when I leave. Prices are on pay with most other specialty organic grocers, and the sales are often generous. I've shopped at co-ops in many different cities and the prices can become inaccessible. I think Mariposa does a good job at keeping things as reasonable as they can with what little purchasing power I imagine they have (think about the wholesale deals Whole Foods can get as a mega-coporation and be real when you look at M's prices!).

Stopped into the shop after walking around the area as whole. Was looking for a refreshing drink and ending up finding sage bundles. The bundles were at such a fabulous price, I bought 2 bundles instead of the drink I can in for. Overall, the shop is a great layout and full of such wonderful options. I will be returning for sure.

Perpetually understaffed and having issues keeping items stocked. Cashiers are nice but management seems like a huge problem.

I would like to preface that I don't usually review places unless they are either exceptionally good or exceptionally bad. I love this place. Like any coop, you can't find all your groceries here. That said, they have quite a bit! And, IMO, pretty cheap for the quality. For example, they have local/organic/raw/unhomogenized milk quite reasonably-priced compared to my local gas station's price of regular, industrial farm milk. Like, the prices are nearly identical so why not support something local & better-tasting! They also carry the local (Telford, PA) brand of nut butters "Nutty Novelties," which I'm in love with. These are a bit pricey, but they make great gifts-so please try them! I was given a little 8 oz jar of the butterscotch PB & I'm seriously obsessed now, so I try to recommend them anytime I can!

It pains me to leave this post but it is time... I've been Living in this neighborhood and have been a member of this co-op for twenty plus years. The decline and deterioration has been horrifying to say the least. The selection is terrible and the prices do not reflect the mission or obligation of the wesy philly neighborhood it serves. They seem to have to no understanding of community at at. Walking in, one can feel the negative energy and lack of community belonging. With the exception of a few employees, everyone who works there appears miserable, rude, and just plain disgruntled. In the past we used to shop daily with pride and satisfaction. Now we dread going in the doors knowing that it is so unpleasant to be there, and chances are, they will not have what we need. It is truly a shame that what could be so good is so terribly bad. Why remain in such bad shape? The co-op does't have to be amazing, just better. Please, someone on the board step in and help make this co-op what it could be. What should be an anchor of the neighborhood and a place where one feels a sense of strong community has become a topic of negative conversation and disgust. I am optimistic that it's not too late!

While much of the staff is friendly, one tram member at the register is often abrasive to customers. Unsure why no one has spoken to him about it. It's no longer a traditional co.op. It now has a CEO that goes against the community brand and the original vision. The workers had to unionize. Membership fees have increased and so has prices, even before inflation. It's more cost effective to go elsewhere. I make a decent salary (have a masters degree) but I really cannot afford to shop here anymore. I think the people who continue to do so are either new to the area or don't have the ability to go elsewhere. It doesn't make sense for me to pay more for an item plus a membership fee on top of it, especially when most other stores are becoming more aware of healthier options.

I like their selection of vegan and non vegan items. Nice produce here. The staff can be grumpy but most of the time they are nice. Only my second time there and I was yelled at for not reading the floor signs. I don't typically read things on the floor so I didn't know there were three cash registers or where the "line" is supposed to wait. It looks like there are only two registers but they showed me what they were talking about and I see now that the third one is a big middle counter that doesn't look like the other two registers. But now I know so I won't get yelled at again. No big deal. Just be sure to read all floor signs. Bonus about coming here for me is that they have a lot of random things like shallots or silken tofu or broccolini. Nice selection of Beyond products. And this place is on Baltimore Pike so there is a Septa trolley access. Recommend.

Some people only write Yelp reviews when they want to sing the praises of a business, and others only when they want to bash it. I try to be honest and fair in all my reviews, but like most I'll probably only review a business for a reason - a notable experience, or it doesn't have a lot of reviews, etc. This is going to be a first for me - I'm reviewing Mariposa to bash the PATRONS. During the COVID19 pandemic, Philadelphia is only allowing essential businesses like grocery stores to stay open, and Mariposa is one of them. I don't know of any other business taking the social distancing guidelines as seriously - only a limited number of customers allowed in the store at a time, the first shopping hour of the day is reserved for vulnerable individuals like the elderly, they close the store for THREE HOURS in the middle of the day to sanitize, etc. So SUPER kudos to the managers of Mariposa for their extremely socially responsible response at this unprecedented time. Mariposa isn't huge, and the prices tend to be a bit higher than I'm usually willing to pay for, but the eclectic selection means that I'm often going to this store even if it's only to get a few items. And in normal times, it's a nice, cozy atmosphere to sort of browse and shop at a leisurely pace. Except these aren't normal times. With a line of people down the block to get into the store, because only 5-6 shoppers are allowed in at a time, I figured everyone entering the store would know exactly what they needed so they could get in and out quickly (I recited like a mantra to myself for the 45 minutes I waited: tempeh-bread-granola). But when I got into the store, the other shoppers were kind of just hanging out, browsing around, taking their sweet time. Hey, you know what? One of the things I LOVE about cooperatives is that they are by definition of and for their communities. But that means the members of that community should be mindful of each other too, and I just wasn't seeing that yesterday at all. And it was COLD before noon yesterday. Not my call to make, but since everyone seemed to be so clueless and inconsiderate, I feel like Mariposa needs to enforce a 5-minute shopping limit for as long as this is going on. Maybe I just went on a bad day, or bad time of day. All I'll say is, I'm glad I got an extra loaf of bread, and an extra block of tempeh, because next time I'd opt for curbside pickup instead of losing nearly an hour of my day because people can't be bothered to think of others.

I have to say one thing! The staff here go above and beyond! Always very pleasant and helpful! AND this past Saturday I was beyond impressed with how the cashier (Mr. James) went out of his way to accommodate all the guests in a thorough and efficient manner while handling TWO registers at one time! HE WAS ROCKIN' IT AND WAS STILL COURTEOUS AND KIND, payed close attention to each guest with respect and gratitude! I am not one to write a review ever, but this blew my mind! Bravo Mr. James, if only everyone cared as much as you do when doing their job! I sure hope your efforts are not overlooked!

I really want to love Mariposa Food Co-op. I try to support local businesses and especially ones that are focused on sustainability and social consciousness. While they do have a good standard selection of organic and etc. products, I often find it lacking and have to go to other stores to fill the gaps. There have been numerous times where basic items were not in stock. Sometimes the staff is friendly and sometimes they aren't at all. It seems to be a who you are friends with kind of deal. Maybe I'm just not used to Philly vibes. While I appreciate the business for its positive impact, I have been to other locally owned grocers that blow Mariposa out of the water.

Just wanted to update that there is no longer a bulk section of spices and herbs. They now sell them in shakers which are more than double the price of other grocery stores. Also, I feel like the selection of food has gotten smaller while the selections of souvenirs and body care has gotten larger.

We've shopped here lots since my last review so it's time for an update. Mariposa has a very nice bulk section with a variety of grains, spices, tea, etc. Mariposa still makes mistakes with pricing (though perhaps not as much as before) & staff are still not always eager to correct the errors. One time in particular, the employee said he wouldn't be able to give us the correct price because of limitations with the pricing technology, but he wasn't even apologetic about it. I gave up on buying the item & asked for a refund instead. Most of the staff are helpful and friendly. At other times, staff is unhelpful and brusque.

Prices are a bit on the high side but it makes sense for a co-op. I come here to grab produce and somethings I'm missing at home. Everyone that works here is also very friendly.

After hearing about this grocery co-op for so long, I was actually pretty bummed out during the 15 minutes I spent browsing the maybe 10-12 aisles. It's cool seeing things like loose bulk tea and lots of fresh baked goods, but I mean, they didn't have a super wide variety of low carb, or ketogenic diet, foods aside from a decent variety of fresh cheeses. It's really great to that this co-op exists, but I can't see myself spending $200 to walk 10x the distance of my closest grocery store just for expensive items.

First time here! I found it while going on a morning jog up Baltimore Avenue. It was a cute little co-op with a variety of foods difficult to find elsewhere. I got 8 items for $29 in total. Not bad! Will come here again. Made myself some roasted asparagus with chicken and a salad with ingredients from this co-op. Oh so fresh!

Great grocery store in west philly. It has a lot of what you might want or need to make a good meal for yourself. I suspect, on purpose, they don't have much in the way of ready-made food because of waste reduction. So, pick up your raw materials here and have a great time.

When it was in the small store space next to Vientiane Café Mariposa Food Co-Op still managed to do a good job of providing food, grains, vitamins, an education, and then some to the West Philly community. But moving into their new former bank home has given them the opportunity and space needed to take their efforts to a whole new level. It's original storefront was tiny and predominately held them back in the number of new shoppers that they could welcome to their co-op system on a monthly basis. But now they are able to be fully open to the community and public, all while giving co-op members some extra special treatment. It also doesn't hurt that their frozen, produce, dairy, whole body, bulk, and other sections have doubled in size; ensuring that they can bring in even more product; all while sourcing in even more local vendors like Little Baby's Ice Cream and Reanimator Coffee. The old Mariposa wasn't too big on providing many animal based products (meats, cheese, etc.), and upon first glance it appears to be the case with this one outside of yogurts. But they are able to and do source meats from local farms upon request. And on the food education library that they are working on building, their strong ties to their local community, and more; and you have an essential marketplace.

Great organic and health conscious grocery store there organic vegetables and fruits are amazing. A good selection of fair trade coffee and teas. Hand sanitizers throughout the Co-op and also mask requirements.

Friendly employees, very West Philly and great vibes. The selection is pretty limited though, and it takes awhile for the produce selection to change and bring in more variety - although everything seems pretty local.

Great place for organic food shopping. Decent prices. Not a lot of selection though. The place is in a busy part of town. Parking is limited.

Great place to purchase your groceries. Tons of selection from organic, grass-fed options although no butcher. Expect high quality fruits, vegetables, and goods e.g. cereal, flax seed, la croix etc. at a premium price considering it's not nicely located in a central place like Whole Foods. If the price was comparable it would be an easy 5-stars. The way to maximize the value is to get their card to get discounts by buying things in bulk for example. The lines for the cash registers get a little crowded but all very manageable and easy to navigate.

I absolutely love this spot! I cannot say a negative thing about Mariposa, only that I wish the place was bigger! Its a great spot for some organic and healthy food and snacks. Personally, I go for the loose tea and chips. They have a great assortment of chocolates, produce and fair-trade items. It's definitely worth a look!

Insanely overpriced. I only come here as a last resort if it's too late/last-minute to make the trip out of the neighborhood. Then I leave vowing never to come again because a few basic items have cost me over $60. And because the cashiers invariably sit there, stare into space, and don't bother to lift a finger to help pack your groceries, even when there's a line of people waiting stretching down an aisle. If there was another nearby option, I would use it in a heartbeat.

I love Mariposa!!! As a newcomer to the neighborhood, my honest to goodness favorite aspect of my new hood is this little gem. The place may look small at first glance, but they have literally everything I ever need... From produce to fresh bagels, to bulk items, pet supplies, COOKIE BUTTER, vegan goodies (get the big ass vegan choco chip cookie, please)... They have it all. While some selections are a bit pricey (like the almond butter and maple syrup options), the produce is UNREAL and so cheap. Almost everything is organic, but some conventional options allow shoppers to have an even cheaper alternative. And how many places do you know that have price cuts instead of hikes?? The good people of Mariposa work to lower prices for products they already carry! Anyway, I think I've gushed enough... This place is the bomb, but I should probably get back to work =P

This place is great! I love coming here to find new delicious foods. It can be a bit pricey but I love how they have a co-op membership for low income members. The staff is always so great. Lines can look pretty long but they go very quick. They also have a great variety for eco friendly products! I love being close to this place.

Great store if you know what they have and what you're looking for. A majority of the store is organic and they have a nice selection that caters to dietary needs. Their produce section while small is very well stocked and clean. They have tons of loose nuts, candy, oils and Spices to choose from. They also have a great sweets section stocked from local vegan donut shop. Great place to shop for a nice selection of goods.

While I love the idea of this place, as I love the idea of cooperatives and consensus-run organizations (I am actively involved in one myself, Why This Way), this place falls short of my basic needs. I also a blog post about the tea selection here: http://cazort.blogspot.com/2012/07/tea-bag-selection-in-mariposa-co-op-and.html - I like their selection of loose-leaf bulk teas, from Frontier Coop, but I think their tea bag selection is pretty poor. But back to the groceries... My main concern here is the pricing. The people who work here have explicitly told me that this place does not make low prices a priority. I just find this unacceptable. I shop regularly at the Clark Park Farmer's Market, the Reading Terminal Market, and several supermarkets around this area, as well as numerous small grocercies. I know what things cost, and I know that the prices here are not competitive. I also fail to understand how this place is not able to leverage its use of volunteer labor to lower their prices. I believe that prices are often a sign of efficiency. If a retail establishment is efficiently run, their prices can be lower. Retail stores that have high prices and low profits (like this place) often have such a poor margin because they are either buying things at too high a price from suppliers, or they're wasting products, like throwing them out when they don't sell. I don't know what combination of factors causes the prices to be so high here, but I know that I've gotten the same goods sold here elsewhere, from for-profit stores, including small stores, for much lower prices. No thanks. I'm not interested in joining even, unless your mission includes lower prices. This place is just astronomically priced and I don't think it's really serving the community because of it.

So I finally became a member of Mariposa, after I got tired of buying things in large quantities that I would only use occasionally before they went bad (I'm talking to you, anise stars), and not being able to buy things in bulk when I wanted to (that's you, five pounds of rolled organic oats for homemade granola). A lot of the shit talking in the Yelp reviews seem to come from people who have no idea what a Co-Op is. It's not a store. It's a co-operative buying group for people who are interested 1. in bulk purchasing power for things like grains and spices and 2. want to be sourced locally grown goods. The Co-Op does both of these things. Yes, you have to be a member. And yes, there are a limit to the number of people at any given time that can become members (it's a tiny place! And everyone needs to be coordinated. Which means hiring more staff, which they can't afford, since the actual staff is small and trying to earn a living wage). So yeah, you might think it's elitist. Really, its just size limited. And maybe the volunteer you talked to just joined last week and doesn't have all the answers. Either does the checkout girl at Supreme. And I I've noticed that most of the people who think that people are antagonist to them because they don't have a certain "look" are just totally self-conscios folks who feel out of place about everywhere they go. Sorry. Can't do anything for you. Yeah, I think it's too small. But they own the building, which brings security and stable prices (Tyler seems to have his head up his ass, or just like to make things up, if he thinks they are raising prices due to rising "gentrified" rent. The Co-Op doesn't pay rent). Again, pluses and minuses. If you're interested in getting involved, stop by, ask questions, and get informed.

I feel the need to share this story with as many people as possible. They sell a brand of coconut chip here called "Dang." Thinking this was amusing, I of course had to hold up a bag and loudly say "Daaaaannnnnng!" in a very high pitched voice. My fiancé, who I was shopping with, did not find this very funny. But the man behind him did, and then we preceeded to laugh together for the next 30 seconds. That being said, Mariposa has a great selection of healthy foods. Organic veggies, raw milk, dry goods, even some frozen foods and household products. As with most co-ops, it is on the pricier side if you're not a member. But don't let that stop you from stopping in a seeing what they have to offer!

OK So Mariposa is basically a one-stop-shop for me. I buy just about everything except cereal and candy from here. Locally grown yadda yadda and organic blah blah blah. It's sorta like if Whole Foods was run out of someone's kitchen but for reasonable prices. It really is a wonderful place. BUT I guess I don't look like everyone else who shops there, so I was treated like a leper. I usually just one time shop but I recently wanted to set up an account. When I asked the guy for an application, he sorta just stared at me for a while. He then tried to explain that I couldn't become a member because of some sort of back up (he made no sense to me) and that they would contact me when I could join. He spoke with such arrogance that I felt like slapping him. I really do like this place but the people who work there need to stop being so judgmental. I hate that shit. Aren't they all about peace and love?

The Co-op is alright. Its convenient, has fresh produce most days, and is easily accessible as its on the 34. I do think it is way too small and they are a tad over-priced. I also think due to its mostly volunteer worker system things aren't going to be perfect. I am cool with that. There is a little bit of the (quoting Tyler's horrid posting here ) "its populated with graduates of expensive colleges posing as working class people" but thats West Philly. Worry about yourself, let the kids figure their own shit out. Best time to shop: anytime between 9-5. After that its busy. Also, don't use it as your primary grocery store. Use it as a supplimental grocery store. It is too spendy and the choices are too limited.

Mariposa is one of the many reasons I love my neighborhood. We shop everywhere: Trader Joe's, Fresh Grocer, Fu Wah, even Acme on occasion (which invariably results in one of us saying, "What do you mean they don't have tempeh?"). What makes Mariposa great is that they carry locally-grown, organic fruits and vegetables, plenty of tofu and tempeh, bulk dry goods, and an extensive selection of quality bittersweet and bitter chocolate. The prices are reasonable, and the best part is that it's ridiculously close to our apartment. It's like a convenience store that's almost as good as Fu Wah (come on, Tofu Hoagies beat out pretty much everything) with the convenience of a cashless system. Put on a credit and come back next week without a wallet. What you won't find at Mariposa is meat and fish, so if you're an omnivore like us, it won't ever be your one-stop shop for the week. However, you can suggest things to be added to their stock, and if they get enough suggestions, they WILL add it.

OK, so this will take some explaining if you don't know what a co-op is... You can only just walk in and shop there once. After that you have to become a member. Being a member entails several things: for one it means you pay $25 a year to be a member. For two, it means you have to work there once a month for two hours (the work is incredibly easy). For three, it means that you can shop there. And after you've been a member for a few months you get a key to the building so that you can shop there 24 hours a day if you like. So why do we choose to do this? Well, most people who are members like the idea of a non-hierarchical structure. It's also very convenient to be able to go there whenever you want once you have a key to the place. I can't tell you how many times I've needed some ingredient at an inconvenient hour and been able to get it there! It's also to have a place to shop other than your local corporate food joint. As you might have guessed the co-op has tons of vegetarian and organic foods (though that's not all they have). They also have lots of interesting spices, and stuff like that. Then there's the homemade cookies and brownies (members are allowed to sell food there too), and a HUGE selection of foods that you just won't find at Giant or Acme or whatever. You might think of it as a smaller, non-corporate, better priced Whole Foods where you are a part owner (as every member sort of is!). The only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is because I really do wish the place was bigger. If we ever expand, I'll up it to 5!!

Even if I didn't have dreamy idealistic attachment to the coop as a concept, a place where neighbors get together and organize a business to get good, fresh, local/organic/fair trade food, save money, and contribute work, I would shop here because it's the best place to get food in this particular corner of West Philly, and that is where I live. Some things are a real savings (tea, spices, bulk nuts/grains), some are just a little cheaper than the grocery store. It's a little bit of a bummer that it is so small and so there are some things-- cheese, pasta-- that just don't have a very broad selection (though if you are really after something you can bulk-order it through the suppliers). But it's more than balanced by the special items that you wouldn't be able to find elsewhere (beautiful plump raisins that will turn you off sun-maid forever, teas you can't get anywhere else, local in-season produce). Two hours of work a MONTH? anyone can do that.

Here's what I wonder: Is the problem with this place that it has too many employees? I ask because it's rare to go in there when the folks working don't outnumber the folks shopping. And I wonder if that explains (a) why it seems to be so poorly run: so consistently out of basic things; and (b) why it has to be so damn expensive (definitely and consistently more so than Whole Paycheck). For a time, I was a worker member, but the staff there were never organized enough to put my labor to any good use. So wouldn't one or two highly effective managers and a slimmed down staff make this a better place to shop? A couple other small notes: * Many commenters point to the local produce, but if you actually look at what they have in stock, it's surprising how frequently in-season produce won't be local. I imagine this again points back to the inefficient nature of the staff. Why isn't someone working with farmers directly to match supply and demand the way other food coops do? * Other commenters are right when they say that the folks who do work there too frequently seem to hate their jobs and hate the customers whose shopping means more work. It's just weird. Totally unlike any other food coop I've joined. * Finally, a tip: ALWAYS GET YOUR RECEIPT AND DOUBLE CHECK IT! I was once charged almost $20 for a pack of chips that had been priced wrong.

This California girl's hippie place away from home. I love it here. Always a relaxing environment even when it's busy. The produce is always good and offers you both conventional and organic. They have great vegan options. They have a lot of natural products for toiletries and vitamins. They also have essential oils! The only negative I have is that it's not the best place to get avocados.

I LOVE MARIPOSA. i love the quality, the politics, the selection, the produce, and the the BYO container refills. yeah cheapos complaining about the price- you get what you pay for - and everything here is high quality and politically aligned. you can feel good with the nutrient dense options here, while supporting our community. if the price is that much of a deal breaker become a working member and get a discount! just one thing mariposa workers - please please please pay better attention. there have been a few times when going over my bill that i have seen things rung up wrong. i hate that i always have to double check.

I have purchased groceries from here but this is my only source for White Sage and Palo Santo sticks. They have a large selection of natural and vegan products and organic produce. If I lived closer, this would be the place for my grocery shopping for sure.

I love that Kristin H moved out to West Philly, because it gives me a reason to get out of my 10-block radius comfort zone, use public transportation more, & check out an area I haven't experienced yet since I moved to Philly a little over a year ago. I'm super proud of myself for expanding my Philly explorations, and I'm so glad I finally made it to Mariposa! I love this little co-op, I didn't find it ridiculously expensive like so many other reviewers, everyone was super friendly to me, & they don't seem to have that war on vegans that the WF on South St does. Case in point: they carry Go Max Go bars (I may or may not have bought & eaten 3 that afternoon), & they carry Sophie's Kitchen vegan LOX! So much win, I'm definitely a fan! I'll probably be back every time I visit Kristin H, because I'd obvs rather support a local co-op than the corporate meanies that WF actually is.

I barely have reason to shop anywhere else for fresh produce, bulk grains and spices, organics and vegetarian options. My boyfriend is a working member, so he saves 5% off in exchange for a 3-4 hour shift per month (may not seem like much, but it does add up). Members also have a rolling account to which they can transfer funds as needed, eliminating the need to bring cash or credit cards when the craving for watercress, daikon radishes or ripe tomatoes strikes. Not the cheapest place to shop, no. That's not the point. Do not expect comparable pricing to big box retailers, super chains, or even local franchises. Do expect better quality, local options, and feel good knowing that extra dollar or five you spent directly benefitted a real farmer who chooses to grow organic, unmodified whole foods for you, and who will never get rich doing so. That extra change isn't going into the hands of a greedy corporation who bullies growers and suppliers to reduce their bottom line to a thread, resulting in chemically treated, genetically altered plants and animals harvested by underpaid, overworked migrant workers. If the co-op priced their merchandise at the scale the big retailers do, they would lose money. The margins just aren't there for equivalent discount pricing. Supermarkets are a dime a dozen and Mariposa is worth every extra penny. Tips: If you are a tomato junkie like me, make it a point to visit during tomato season. Red, yellow, purple, green and orange heirlooms of all shapes, flavors and textures. BYO containers for Dr. Bronner's refills, and other green cleaning products.

It's too expensive for a lot of things (I still make the trek to Trader Joe's once a week) but it's really convenient to have across the street. Perfect for things like local tofu and rice and rolled oats and spices in bulk, and last minute things you remember when you're in the middle of cooking. My work shift isn't hard at all; I do three hours every 6 weeks and it's pretty fun - I like getting to talk with so many people. And if you have two people on an account only one of them has to do the work shifts and pay the dues which is awesome. It can feel a little intimidating in there, but as soon as you ask anyone a question they are nice. The staff is all really helpful. We had to wait 2 months before we could join, but they have affirmative action so if you're any kind of minority or on food stamps you can join right away. If you're shopping for the first time you can do so without being a member but be warned they don't take cash!

When it comes to quality, Mariposa does it right. But you pay a steep price for the quality at Mariposa. It's a smallish market with lots of organic and locally grown goods. But unless you're in a pinch, I don't think it's worth what you pay. Personally, I'd rather spend a third of the money and get my produce from the neighborhood truck. The quality is not as good, but for the not so rich that is quite all right with me.

I love getting organic fruits and vegetables here, since they're harder (or impossible) to find at Shop n' Bag or Fresh Grocer. Meat, dairy, and packaged food, while probably better quality at Mariposa, is significantly more expensive than other grocery stores. So I usually stick to buying just fruits and vegetables. I like that you don't have to be a co-op member to shop here! If you want rice, lentils, or containers of yogurt, the Indian/Pakistani grocery store on 42nd and Walnut is much cheaper and just as good.

Update 5/2016 Some sensible improvements have prompted me to add one star. There are now more cash registers, they are better organized and much more effective. Staff seems to have the pulse on the customer flow, and they are much more attentive to keep the line short. I wish they could find a way to use the upper part of this great building for more shelves, like loft- mezzanine style because the variety of items is still limited. Prices appear to have slightly come down (or may be I just got used to !) Coops are great community boosters and they promote responsible consumer practices. Mariposa is making an effort, quality is very good, but... it's not where I go shopping. Here is why: 1. Limited selection, lot of empty space, poor store design 2. Considerably more expensive than comparable stores 3. Slow, "take it easy, dude", customer service performance (may be give free coffee to cashiers?) 4. Limited hours (though got better recently). wow, much better, it's open on Christmas day! I want to like this place, and hope it's not turning into the elite place for the rich foodie or for the "vegan everything" type of hipster. It would be nice to see it becoming a convenient and sound grocery stop for the majority of us.

Fun little spot with good selection and local items as well. Just as much money as you would spend at an organic store. **check your bill. Lots of volunteers/members work there and may accidentally ring up items twice. It happens but I realized it after I was already home and groceries put away etc. When I called them, someone kindly said to come back and they would happily refund. Will do if I have the time.

If you care about buying food that is Free Trade, Local, Organic, and buying from CO-OPs, then go here. Four stars because it's a co-op, but not five because they are growing and getting more expensive and not all volunteer-run. You can get a lot of stuff you can't find elsewhere. Specifically I recommend the Once Again Peanut butter which comes from an African-American farm co-op and a co-op distributor. No sugar and really yummy. No other place around to get Fair Trade Bananas. Veggies and leafy greens are good, but for fruit, I prefer non-organic. The store is small, but they are moving soon to a bigger space on 48th. You cannot pay with cash, but they take food stamps.

High priced, but that's what you expect for the convenience and high quality ingredients offered from a store like this. Always a friendly staff. Great for that last minute item to finish a meal.

I stumbled upon Mariposa a year or so ago -and today they've lost a customer. I don't live in the area, but sometimes I'd chose to go here over Whole Foods or such. I guess I liked that it's a small grocery store, their bulk section is awesome and it's chill most of the time. Although, in my recent trip(s) it's just been weird-o vibes. I was pretty much run down by an employee pushing a cart to the back w/o saying excuse me. Asking for help..well, good luck getting an answer without being cut short. There are only two, YES TWO, guys who are friendly enough. Everyone else is just so weird? I hate to say that but IDK I guess I expect more since this is a CO-OP after all?! From this weeks visit I've just decided it's not worth making the trip over there any more. I'd rather get treated like sh*t from a place that's always so hectic than from people who stand around giving you the stink eye. Actually, to think; Trader Joe's employees are WAY more enthusiastic and that place is all out pure chaos. Mariposa, maybe your employees should learn a thing or two about customer appreciation. Or maybe you should learn how to pick em. Instead of just standing around looking mad and lost....Lose the tude dudes...

So great to have an independent food co-op right in my new neighborhood akin to Weavers Way in Mt. Airy/Chestnut Hill! Just like stepping into Whole Foods but far more down to earth and more reasonably priced goods. Picked up some chicken, tofu, frozen dinners (Tofurky pepperoni pizza pockets and Amy's mac n cheese), and some fresh cremini mushrooms for the dinner I ended up cooking that night--panko crusted chicken with mushrooms sautéed in garlic and olive oil. Friendly staff and atmosphere; not to mention close enough to where I live! I will be back!

Love having the co-op in the neighborhood, beautiful building, good hours, and great staff. Though I am not a member, I shop here regularly (weekly, sometimes more than that). I can get some items cheaper elsewhere, but I like shopping locally and for the convenience. Here are the pluses of this store: bulk items, fresh baked breads, they carry Philly Muffins, seltzer goes on sale all the time!, Talenti gelato on sale a lot too!, and good quality produce and fruits. And they carry non-grocery items like greeting cards, candy, beauty products, candles, gifts, etc. Some of my favorite items that I exclusively get at Mariposa are: Raspberry Leaf Tea (loose leaf tea), green olives, granola mix, bulk olive oil, Fermented Foods sauerkraut, black sesame seed crackers, and the Guatemala coffee.

There are so many things to love about Mariposa! You are sure to find high-quality, whole foods at Mariposa with a focus on locally grown and organic... A few of my favorite things are: Fresh, organic produce Broad selection of bulk herbs and spices Great refrigerated and frozen sections Full line of grocery and snack items Vitamins and supplements Health and beauty section Gift items and more

Charming neighborhood market with a focus on local, organic items. A bit pricey, but they occasionally have decent sales. Produce tends to be a bit funky too so be warned. On my last trip, they legit wanted three bucks for five sad wilted kale leaves. However, they carry metropolitan bakery's breads which is a huge plus.

Mariposa is a great place to purchase all kinds of wonderful, fresh, and local produce. I enjoy the selection they offer for produce and all other products. The bulk section is diverse and reasonably priced.