Lydia B.
Yelp
OA is the reason I am now plant based.
OA is my local grocery, a short walk from my home. During the pandemic, it became my go to source for all food. Previously I had eaten out at restaurants 80% of the time.
OA does not sell any animal products other than diary, eggs and honey.
As such, I organically, without really noticing, transitioned to a plant based diet. Eventually I eliminated dairy and have made the recent decision to give up eggs and go completely, 100% plant based. A slow, steady evolution as I embraced cooking for myself and sourcing healthy, nourishing ingredients.
I credit OA for the nudge I needed to make the choice to go plant based. I think everyone knows the ethical and moral imperative to reduce/eliminate animal products from their diet, especially since animal agriculture is a key driver in the climate crisis. Yet meat and dairy is such an easy default cause it is often the most accessible in stores, restaurants, etc. What we each need is the nudge to make the change in our own habits. Accessibility is key.
Another reason why I respect and admire OA is their commitment to ethically sourcing brands, particularly Co-ops.
And of course, their bulk section is amazing, especially for a store of their size.
I notice quite a few reviews bemoaning the customer service. This is a reflection of our larger culture of viewing "essential workers" (service workers) as merely there to serve us with a "customer is always right" attitude. 2020 was stressful, most of all to the workers out there supporting the supply chain, working in grocery stores, driving delivery trucks, working in warehouses. To add insult to injury, these types of jobs are often the lowest paid and least respected by those more privileged (WFHers, etc).
I am grateful to OA for being an ethical, essential part of our community. Thank you to all the grocers who continue to work to provide food to our neighborhood.