New Pioneer Food Co-op

Category:	Grocery Store
Address:	22 S Van Buren St, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
Phone:	+1 319-338-9441
Site:	newpi.com
Rating:	4.6
Working:	7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 21

Elizabeth Stolley

My favorite grocery store. They stock lots of organic produce and other items, I can get my local whole organic chicken here, and they carry Co-Op Basics as well as many bulk items. To those saying they are pricey: It is an organic store that reflects the true cost of food. Regular supermarkets are saturated with big food conglomerate interest that artificially drive down the cost of food. Real, good food costs money. Thats a fact. You want better food, it will cost more. I myself have saved lots of money at the Co-Op by shopping sales, not buying junk, and buying bulk staples. A few weeks ago, my favorite brand of pasta was on sale and I had a coupon so I got a box of pasta thats normally 3.29 for .99 and I stocked up on several of them. A few months ago they had a flash sale of red bell peppers for .99/lb. You just need to be smart and know when to shop and what to stock up on as a consumer.

Danielle Oakes

I enjoy shopping at New Pi, but I wish there were more free parking spaces and prices were lower overall. We dont shop very often here (maybe very month or two), but we do come for specialty items when they are on sale (e.g. tempeh, veggie burgers, dairy free & gluten free products). Customer service is usually awesome, and checking out goes quickly. We enjoy getting fresh vegetarian and vegan sandwiches made to go and eating outside at the picnic tables when its warm enough. My greatest discovery was a freshly made vegan gluten free chocolate cake slice. It was amazingly delicious!

Katherine Jones

I love New Pioneer! On top of being an amazing grocery store for local and organic foods, they also have some of the best sandwiches in town (I especially love the cashew on a hot tin roof and the papagayo) and other delicious foods to go (their hot table selections are wonderful and pretty affordable - my favorite is the sweet potato and black bean enchiladas). We had them cater an event for us and that was also delicious and wonderful! They also do a lot of great things in the community to support local foods. I cant say enough good things about New Pi!

Megan Jensen Zalzala

I really love New-Pi. Especially their bread! They have a rotating menu of types of bread they offer in their bakery. I really love the Coralville Round, their jalepeno cheddar, and their baguettes (though all of their bread is great!). They also have some half loaves that are pre-sliced and bagged if a whole loaf is too much. They have a great assortment of fancy cheeses and beer/wine. If you love grape leaves, they also have yummy grape leaves. If you become a member (a one time $60 fee--its a lifetime membership), you get discounts on some items.

A Private User

Okay, some things here are expensive. But really, if youre careful, you can get amazing things. Their pastry selection, for one, is amazing--amazing scones and also vegan cookies. Even the ready-made sushi isnt half-bad . . . and its essentially from a super market in Iowa! The people that work there are great, and the feel inside the place--especially on a winter night--is great. Definitely a place to go, and if you live nearby, definitely a place to be a regular at.

Jonathan Neuzil

New Pioneer Food Co-op is a very friendly place. Their produce is always the freshest available from a grocer. They are all about incorporating local food sources whenever possible, so local flare like Cobra Verde can be found here. New-pi doesnt carry those highly processed things like cheese whizz or hostess, but they do have an amazing selection of real cheeses and fresh pastries made out of real food stuff.

Grant Cooper

Rather disappointed. After hearing people praise NP for years, I thought I would stop in. Im sure the food is great, but I did not get the chance to try it. Being the only person at the deli counter, I thought service would be quick; 10 minutes later, and after watching a half dozen employees go about their tasks, which apparently didnt involve getting food to me, I decided to eat elsewhere.

Jeff Hackbarth

This spot has it all – great local products, great local coffee, a nice selection of hearty breakfast and lunch options, delicious soups, and who could forget the specials? Their prices are a little bit higher than Target and the like, but local and convenience definitely makes up for the difference. I always end up finding more than I planned when visiting!

Jo Ji

The employees there are very rude and when you have complaints about service or products they ignore you and keep right on doing the same things and blame the customer for complaining. When you walk in you just get a bad vibe about the place. I go to the Bread Garden Market now thats more modern and the people there are friendly.

Cort Goll

Everything is organic. Which means youre going to pay 5 dollars for pepper instead of 98 cents. If youre not a member theres an additional 5% added onto your bill. This isnt Costco. There is only food here nothing else. Theres no reason to require membership. And since I wasnt a member I was refused a bag. Never go here.

A Private User

Great selection of cheeses, grass fed meat priced relatively well, local produce when in season, and bulk herbs galore. Have lived in many cities and have not found a grocery store similar to this yet. Whole foods is the closest comparison but meat is more expensive and they dont have bulk herbs. I miss my coop.

A Private User

Fresh food, ORGANIC foods and supplies, extensive selection, great deli and bakery, reasonable pricing. We are so fortunate to have the coop. Wish they still had a CR location. I commute to IC/Coralville to get 90% of my food supplies at the coop..

Sarah Chinnathambi

I love New Pioneer in downtown Iowa City!! They have amazing breakfast burritos that they will make for you any time of day! Customer service is a little low...but, you just have to get past that part because they have a great product!

Amanda Bittorf

This might be the smallest of their locations but still packed with plenty of options. Groceries, pre-made and made to order are all available. Its a tad cheaper if youre a member but still rather pricey for the average joe.

Eden Skye

I love the store - HATE their lack of attendance to carrying GLUTEN-FREE foods and well as having those available at the Deli counter. More emphasis on Organic Non-GMO and gluten free would be welcomed.

Lisa B

Usually the French butter cakes are out of this world but today they just werent as good, idk if the usual baker was off today or what but it was really disappointing. Give the usual baker a raise :)

A Private User

Overall, an excellent place to shop! The cheese, bread, coffee and wine selections are great. The staff is wonderful and no place in town can compare to the friendly atmosphere~

CJ Flynn

I dont go here often compared to the location in CR but this group started in Iowa city in the 1970s and is still a nice building with a nice collection of stuff

Aaron Van Noy

If you arent a regular (Member) you may not know lots of the products that are on the shelves. Great selection on food items packed into a well organized store.

Brett Sobaski

The bear health food store in the area. Locally owned! They select great quality products, exquisite fresh produce and is a chefs paradise as far as stores go

Herb Zinn

Affordable organic produce. I was amazed at the prices just walking in off the street, and Im not even a member of the co-op. Staff are friendly and helpful.