Like many in our community, I want to support the local non-profit Community Market that opened in the Barlow, for many reasons. Local ownership, local produce, ALL organic, friendly service, etc.
So when their hot food bar opened at the Barlow opening a while back, I was disappointed that their hot food bar was so meager and tired. Also, that their prices on things like bread and oils and ice cream were significantly higher than Whole Foods.
I spoke to their manager, who was an excellent listener, and encouraged all of us to provide feedback here at Wacco. I suggested that their hot food bar needed to be at least as good as Whole Foods', and that their prices could not be significantly higher, or many of us would bite our lip and continue to shop at Whole Food, despite our desire to Go Local with Community Market. Also, that Whole Foods did an excellent job with their prepared foods, and that this would be a challenging bar to meet.
At the time, their manager said that they were hiring a new cook for deli and hot food bar, and that they had identified this as an important step in their local growth. She was undefensive, and appreciative of the feedback.
Well, I am pleased to report that the results are in. and they are impressive!
For the past few weeks I have noticed a continual improvement in their offerings. Yesterday I did a major shop there and came away a very satisfied customer. The packaged food (Coconut Bliss-yum) was on sale for a few bucks less than Whole Foods. Produce was ALL organic and lower price, more local, and fresher than Whole Foods. And, best of all, their prepared food table was delicious.
I was going to grab lunch and cook dinner; I ended up tasting, then taking, their polenta and a fancy organic chicken in wine sauce with mushroom dish home, and adding it to some other food for dinner. I'm not a bad cook, but this was better than what I had in mind.
One of the dirty little secrets about Whole Foods that Iearrned many years back is that customers assume their salad bars (which are HUGE in New York) are organic. But in fact they are mostly non-organic. Ditto for their prepared foods.
So Community Market has the quality, the flavor--and they are organic. At the same or lower price. And oh, so Local!
If you tried Community Market once, when they opened, and were dissatisfied, I urge you to give them a second chance. You won't be sorry
Bravo, Community Market. Welcome to Sebastopol. May you thrive here for many years!