French Broad Food Co-Op

Category:	Grocery Store
Address:	90 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801, USA
Phone:	+1 828-255-7650
Site:	frenchbroadfood.coop
Rating:	4.8
Working:	8AM–9PM 8AM–9PM 8AM–9PM 8AM–9PM 8AM–9PM 8AM–9PM 8AM–9PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 21

Samantha White

Not enough local produce. Potatoes from Washington, Apples from California, Bell Peppers from Holland... Why? The bulk room is awesome though. I bring my glass jars, weigh them to tare, fill up and label. Nice and easy. Local flours, coffee, grains, granola, and every herb Ive ever heard of or needed and more! I love to buy local eggs here, and Field day house products. The meat and fish selection is limited but definitely available. Theres a good selection of local breads from Owl bakery, and others. There are hot and salad bars available, though rarely impressive, definitely better than Earth Fares. I certainly wish they would allow public recycling, especially for members. I live outside of those zones. All my waste goes to the dump now because its "illegal" to try to recycle. A compost program would be awesome also. Hopefully with the new store. Im looking forward to the expansion process, and what it can do for the community. The co-op business model rocks!

Gerri Davis

I love this place for so many reasons i dont know where to start - they are my go-to for ingredients when I make anything, from Chapstick to dinner. If you care about the origin of the things you buy and use and eat, this is THE place. Its the only store I miss when Im out of town, especially the bulk room with hundreds of herbs, powders, roots, you name it - all alphabetically arranged. I like to use my own glass jars (weigh them before adding the dry goods and write down the "tear" weight). Then there is the selection of products from local farms - dairy, produce, etc. This place is very highly recommended.

A Private User

The FBFC strives to be all organic and local as much of the time as possible; it feels like shopping at an old general store because you are not blinded by overly bright lights or gleaming chrome. Unlike Earthfare or Greenlife, this is a truly local operation that sincerely cares about the community it serves. I know Earthfare started in Asheville, but they have this Ingles modus operandi that makes their operation a greenwashed store. The FBFC doesnt have a massive amount of square footage, but their bulk section is awesome. They run member specials and even non member specials on a regular basis.

stephen homer

Produce selection is always minimal with typically bad looking options, a lot of it looks poorly kept and rather old. Prices are outrageous. Selection is very limited and often leaning word higher priced products. Coffees tend to be really old...the bulk section is pretty good though, especially for herbs (medicinal and culinary), teas, and local flours. Spend your money in that room and ignore most everything else. Membership is overly complicated and not much benefit, definitely not what Im used to with co-ops

Michelle Smith

I love my Co-op!! Ive been shopping at the French Broad Food Coop since it was down by the river. Theyve just gotten better and better over the years. The prices are more than comparable to other natural food stores in the area. And I can shop with confidence knowing they are choosing suppliers, and growers with my values in mind. The co-op business model also suits matches my values. Heres a photo of me the day I became a lifetime member! Shop at the Co-op!!

Lisa Almaraz

The French Broad Food Co-op is a local non-profit grocery store that features ALL organic fresh produce, much of it from local farmers and proprietors. I can find lots of local products there too and the bulk section is excellent! The personal service I receive there is great and I can even find non-toxic natural hair dye too, something I cannot find at any other store. I love my local French Broad Food Co-op and all they bring to our community.

A Private User

Rockin tailgate market on Wednesdays and the largest selection of bulk herbs in the South East. Their staff does an amazing job of sourcing as much as possible locally, and their prices overall are better that Greenlife (which is actually WholeFoods just a different name) and Earthfare(also huge and corporate.) Plus, their staff is Union and makes a decent wage! Go Co-op!

Hannah Whitworth

This is one of my favorite places in Asheville and the best co op Ive been to. They have such an outstanding selection of products, produce, prepared foods, etc. I walk in and theres something that catches my eye everywhere. The staff is pretty fantastic as well, and you can buy hot coffee or tea, work on your laptop on their wifi, and much more. Truly wonderful!

Amelia S

The original natural foods store in Asheville. This store is a cooperative and they strive to provide local products. It has a special feel to it because it has been around for so long and it is unique from all the bigger natural food markets in town. They are still my favorite natural foods store in town and always will be.

Stephen Synchronicity

The food coop has an excellent cooperative business model that encourages supporter engagement. The grocery selection is the most ethically sourced in Asheville, and becoming a member has benefits that pay for themselves many times over, esp if you shop in bulk! Happy to support the FBFC!

jimbeaux gaffaffeny

good folks, but the pickins are reasonably slim. if youre downtown and you need a soda without all the garbage, this is a great place. but - its not quite a grocery store. more of a large gas station that sells organic stuff. but, ive gone for years, and ill continue to go.

Ali

We had great times choosing food from the Co-Op for picnics on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The food was amazing and delicious. Wonderful. Thoroughly recommend a visit to this store if you are in Asheville. We were visiting from Scotland and struck lucky with this place!

Jennifer Goodier

Ive been a patron of FBFC for 21 years! Its been fun watching it grow and change. It doesnt have everything I want, but is a great little store. They have tons of bulk products and their Monday and Tuesday hot bar serving Indian Cuisine rocks!

Yvon Beaubrun

Overall, I like the feel of this store. Its run by hippies it seems like. They really care about people you get the feeling. A bit price with some items but I guess because its always a pleasure to go there I dont mind.

Gerald Scott

This place works for my lifestyle. They also have a nice small food bar and it usually has something for vegan eaters. In general co-ops are a bit more expensive, but they have the items box box store dont have,

Caroline Dougherty

FBFC is the best place in town to buy dry goods in bulk; I come here every time I need to refresh my spice rack and it always has exactly what I need. Friendly, helpful staff and a great selection of goods.

Yoga Matt

French Broad Coop has the best prices, and is non-corporate member owned. This is the best place to find local produce... Whole foods and Earth fare only carry big agribusiness.

Michael Shor

A nice health-food oriented store in downtown Asheville. A pleasant, friendly environment, with a community feel. Tables are provided to sit and eat, which is a nice touch.

Nora Naughton

Nice people! Clean store! Great variety of local produce and goods from around WNC. They even had my favorite hot sauce (which I thought Id never see again)!

David St. Michael

So charming. Nice selection and I could access it easily without a car. Very happy about that fact. Staff is helpful and lovely. Much appreciated by me!

Mandy Winge

Super cool selection of organic local foods. Has their very own herb room which quite a large variety. Even a cool spot to grab a quick lunch.