Common Ground Food Co-op, located in Downtown Urbana, is a community-focused grocery store offering a wide range of local, organic, and natural foods. Sourcing from over 80 local farms in Central Illinois, the store provides fresh produce, a bakery, prepared foods with ready-to-eat meals, a bulk section, and a wellness area with supplements and personal care products. It also features a deli with fresh bakery items, hot food options, and a microwave for warming up meals. The co-op hosts cooking classes and displays art in the Flatlander Classroom. Customers can become owners by investing $60 as a one-time fee or $5 monthly for a year, fostering a sense of community involvement. Open every day from 7:30 am to 9 pm, the store is a popular spot for those seeking organic and locally sourced groceries, including excellent coffee, bread, juices, and a selection of wines from local vineyards. While praised for its high-quality, fresh, and organic offerings, some find the prices to be on the higher side, which reflects the store’s focus on quality. The selection can sometimes be inconsistent, as certain items may be temporarily unavailable. The store is noted for its broad inventory, including cleaning and personal care products, and is considered a staple in Urbana’s community. Though some reviews mention that staff may be soft spoken or less personable, overall, Common Ground Food Co-op is appreciated for its product quality, community role, and commitment to local sourcing.
Review written 02/07/2025. (I am one of the owners of this co-op along with likely thousands of others). Very unique and interesting place. Removing one star because the prices are unaffordable for most people. But it’s a very welcoming environment with great food products. They also have cooking classes and other... read full comment
February 2025
Love coming here for fresh, organic, and locally sourced groceries. Only downside is it is a bit pricey (what you pay for quality I guess) and sometimes the selection can be hit or miss because they will occasionally stop carrying certain items.
April 2024
I love our co-op! It is full of good food, helpful staff, and locally grown foodfood.
