This location has been here for ages. As many other local food markets that specialize in healthy and organic foods, it is very expensive. But, for some reason, after looking at the prices at Mother Earth they are even more expensive than most. They have specialty dry goods (most you can purchase at Publix for 25% less), local cheeses, and a great selection of uber expensive yogurt. There are by-the-pound bins up front, but the prices are much less at Wards. Keep in mind that 1/3 of the market is just vitamins and supplements. There are some promotions and some BOGO items on the end caps, but not items that one would really need. Like pickled okra for example. Also, then the jar of pickled okra is $7.99 that is just silly. We purchased a BOGO of frozen ravioli, one bag was $8.99 (paying roughly $4.50 per bag and thinking we were getting a deal). Then, I go to Ward's and they have the same ravioli not on BOGO for $3.50/bag. I guess people come here for convenience. I am used to New Leaf Market in Tallahassee, where they have an excellent salad bar and cafe inside. Even make their own amazing salad dressings and prepared foods, so the salad bar at Mother Earth pales in comparison. I purchased a hummus wrap at Mother Earth, and it was very bland and manufactured tasting. If you are looking for all of your organic produce in one place, then you can come here and pay a hefty price. Otherwise, I recommend just shopping local food stands on the side of the road, or going to one of the three weekly Farmer's Markets in Gainesville. Tioga is Monday 4-7, Downtown is Wednesday 4-7, and Haile is Saturday 8am-noonish. Pretty much everything here, I have been able to easily find elsewhere for a better price and with some charm. Whenever I come here, I feel like I am being taken advantage of. If you cannot tell, I am just not feeling this place...
(3)
Coleen T.
This place is great... I just moved here and found it as I drove around town.... it has a nice selection and the atmosphere has a nice really small town co-op feel to it. I will definitely shop here rather than whole foods!
(5)
Tu-van L.
One of the few (if not the only) organic grocery store in Gainesville. Great place to stock up on unique soda pops and hard-to-find organic and healthy ingredients. I love coming here and basking in the smell of spices reminiscent of a old-school herb shop or apothecary. Walking around co-ops and organic supermakets brings me back to memories of this place and trying out veggie recipes at my friend's house.
(4)
Dharbigt M.
Pretty much a run-of-the-mill natural foods store, which is to say pretty good, but nothing special.
(3)
Olivia N.
I ride my bike here twice a week on average. It's much better to get your organic dried goods here than at The Fresh Market or Publix (aka much cheaper, much less processed, and a wider selection). I'd hold off on meat for either the Farmer's Market or Ward's. Produce is okay, but again, the Farmer's Market or Co-op is better for seasonal produce (though if something is out of season this would be my stop...Co-op has mostly local/seasonal offerings). Better cheese and milk at Co-op. The one thing I HAVE to rant and rave about are their herbal offerings here! There are endless things to choose from, which is so great. They have three different types of clay (which is refreshing to see for the toothpowder I was looking to make). It is also located much closer than Sunflower Health foods. And, despite not having essential oils (Sunflower does -- and I'll have to stop by for when I make my laundry detergent/household cleaners), they do have select edible flavorings (such as peppermint leaves...again...great for tooth powder making). Good selection of bulk teas as well. The hygiene section is also well-stocked because they offer quality, local shampoos (this green tea organic shampoo was about $9.59 for 15 oz and is from Lake Mary, FL). They have other sustainable products such as a razor crafted from leftover yogurt cups and a toothbrush that can last you 9 months. Everything is reasonably priced. For the gas I save on the ride here, to the reasonable prices, this market is a steal for me. Thanks Mother Earth! Update July 22, 2013 After hanging out in the local food scene for 2 months, I have found this place to be good for spices, reasonably priced loose tea, and some hygiene products (found a good toothbrush and powder there). Otherwise, I much prefer co-op for all of my other shopping. The vibe is a lot more chill at co-op and it's the same distance from my house! Plus, you can see the co-op actually does take part in the community whereas this market is somewhat distanced from the local scene and acts as a much much smaller, kind of janky, health food store.
(2)
Alexander Y.
Some preliminaries: I do patronize this store almost daily out of convenience which may skew my opinions, but I will try to factor for that. An organic certification does not make food tastier nor is it necessarily healthier, but I realize this should not factor into the rating. There is a surprising lack of local foods there, but once again this is a non-issue since they don't claim to carry any. Service: Most every employee I have encountered there was willing to help and did so. If they couldn't help or answer a question they would get someone who could. Variety of Products: Very large, unique selection of non-produce items. Some items could be classified as hard to come by elsewhere. Produce is not terribly limited considering their store size (more on produce further down). Their large bulk selection is also a huge plus. Prices of Products: Appropriate for both specialty items that are hard to come by and items available at other grocery stores on non-sale days. Mother Earth should not be in the same class as a massive grocery chain such as Publix, please do not bicker over their price differences. Quality of Produce: When it is fresh it's great, but they tend to really let it go to the point of tomatoes with flies and onions with mold. Unacceptable. They allow food to expire on the shelf. Why? I assume frequency of shipments? Unsure. Sales: Non-produce: They have an amazing habit of actually wanting to sell products when they reach the end of their shelf life by offering massive discounts. Example: half-gallon whole mile for $.99. They will sooner sell it for nothing before they throw it out, I don't think the same can be said for many other establishments. Produce: What happened? They rarely if ever put produce on sale to clear things about to expire, things get really ripe and even if still edible they are sold to you at the same price. It kind of feels funny when I decide to salvage a questionable onion and they allow it to pass at full price. Other Features: Tasty bakery food, appropriately priced for what it is. Tasty hot-food bar, not so sure about pricing, but I can choose whether or not to consume it. Never tried their smoothies. Cleanliness: They are very clean. Produce spoils from age not poor sanitary conditions, I have yet to see any putrefied produce. The AC is always very cold which is good news for the food I think. Overall I consider it excellent for its niche market in groceries/organic products. I will dock two stars for reasons of produce spoilage.
(3)
Darcy F.
There are plenty of supermarkets in this town to choose from, but this one is my top pick. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but it is full of great food and supplements inside. They offer a wide variety of organic foods, allergen free foods (i.e. Gluten free, dairy free, nut free), natural beauty products, and a large assortment of supplements. I even buy organic dog food here! If your family is going to eat organic, you can't forget your furry ones! The employees are friendly and very knowledgable. I'm always shocked by how much they know about the various supplements. Thursday's are discount days, 10% off everything! If you're a healthy eater or would like to start eating healthier, definitely check this store out.
(4)
Quyen N.
I have to compare Mother Earth Market to Ward's - can't help it. At Mother Earth Market, most bulk items (of interest to me) were more expensive than those at Ward's. However, the produce here is much better since all/most is organic. The flip side is the organic produce doesn't seem to be local. The store is conveniently located near Book Lover's Cafe. Anyway, I'll probably be back since the store is within relatively easy biking distance.
(4)
Sonal D.
I'm giving this place one star because the produce is always bad, and I've baught several packaged items that have been out of date (partially my fault for not checking). Also, some of the staff members can be a little creepy but most are nice and curtious. I used to frequent an NRG in another city and the employees and products were always up to standards, so I've been pretty let down by this branch. I'll probably stop in here when I'm desperate, but I think I will be frequenting the new Trader Joe's that just opened up on Archer, when I can help it.
Coty S.
This location has been here for ages. As many other local food markets that specialize in healthy and organic foods, it is very expensive. But, for some reason, after looking at the prices at Mother Earth they are even more expensive than most. They have specialty dry goods (most you can purchase at Publix for 25% less), local cheeses, and a great selection of uber expensive yogurt. There are by-the-pound bins up front, but the prices are much less at Wards. Keep in mind that 1/3 of the market is just vitamins and supplements. There are some promotions and some BOGO items on the end caps, but not items that one would really need. Like pickled okra for example. Also, then the jar of pickled okra is $7.99 that is just silly. We purchased a BOGO of frozen ravioli, one bag was $8.99 (paying roughly $4.50 per bag and thinking we were getting a deal). Then, I go to Ward's and they have the same ravioli not on BOGO for $3.50/bag. I guess people come here for convenience. I am used to New Leaf Market in Tallahassee, where they have an excellent salad bar and cafe inside. Even make their own amazing salad dressings and prepared foods, so the salad bar at Mother Earth pales in comparison. I purchased a hummus wrap at Mother Earth, and it was very bland and manufactured tasting. If you are looking for all of your organic produce in one place, then you can come here and pay a hefty price. Otherwise, I recommend just shopping local food stands on the side of the road, or going to one of the three weekly Farmer's Markets in Gainesville. Tioga is Monday 4-7, Downtown is Wednesday 4-7, and Haile is Saturday 8am-noonish. Pretty much everything here, I have been able to easily find elsewhere for a better price and with some charm. Whenever I come here, I feel like I am being taken advantage of. If you cannot tell, I am just not feeling this place...
(3)Coleen T.
This place is great... I just moved here and found it as I drove around town.... it has a nice selection and the atmosphere has a nice really small town co-op feel to it. I will definitely shop here rather than whole foods!
(5)Tu-van L.
One of the few (if not the only) organic grocery store in Gainesville. Great place to stock up on unique soda pops and hard-to-find organic and healthy ingredients. I love coming here and basking in the smell of spices reminiscent of a old-school herb shop or apothecary. Walking around co-ops and organic supermakets brings me back to memories of this place and trying out veggie recipes at my friend's house.
(4)Dharbigt M.
Pretty much a run-of-the-mill natural foods store, which is to say pretty good, but nothing special.
(3)Olivia N.
I ride my bike here twice a week on average. It's much better to get your organic dried goods here than at The Fresh Market or Publix (aka much cheaper, much less processed, and a wider selection). I'd hold off on meat for either the Farmer's Market or Ward's. Produce is okay, but again, the Farmer's Market or Co-op is better for seasonal produce (though if something is out of season this would be my stop...Co-op has mostly local/seasonal offerings). Better cheese and milk at Co-op. The one thing I HAVE to rant and rave about are their herbal offerings here! There are endless things to choose from, which is so great. They have three different types of clay (which is refreshing to see for the toothpowder I was looking to make). It is also located much closer than Sunflower Health foods. And, despite not having essential oils (Sunflower does -- and I'll have to stop by for when I make my laundry detergent/household cleaners), they do have select edible flavorings (such as peppermint leaves...again...great for tooth powder making). Good selection of bulk teas as well. The hygiene section is also well-stocked because they offer quality, local shampoos (this green tea organic shampoo was about $9.59 for 15 oz and is from Lake Mary, FL). They have other sustainable products such as a razor crafted from leftover yogurt cups and a toothbrush that can last you 9 months. Everything is reasonably priced. For the gas I save on the ride here, to the reasonable prices, this market is a steal for me. Thanks Mother Earth! Update July 22, 2013 After hanging out in the local food scene for 2 months, I have found this place to be good for spices, reasonably priced loose tea, and some hygiene products (found a good toothbrush and powder there). Otherwise, I much prefer co-op for all of my other shopping. The vibe is a lot more chill at co-op and it's the same distance from my house! Plus, you can see the co-op actually does take part in the community whereas this market is somewhat distanced from the local scene and acts as a much much smaller, kind of janky, health food store.
(2)Alexander Y.
Some preliminaries: I do patronize this store almost daily out of convenience which may skew my opinions, but I will try to factor for that. An organic certification does not make food tastier nor is it necessarily healthier, but I realize this should not factor into the rating. There is a surprising lack of local foods there, but once again this is a non-issue since they don't claim to carry any. Service: Most every employee I have encountered there was willing to help and did so. If they couldn't help or answer a question they would get someone who could. Variety of Products: Very large, unique selection of non-produce items. Some items could be classified as hard to come by elsewhere. Produce is not terribly limited considering their store size (more on produce further down). Their large bulk selection is also a huge plus. Prices of Products: Appropriate for both specialty items that are hard to come by and items available at other grocery stores on non-sale days. Mother Earth should not be in the same class as a massive grocery chain such as Publix, please do not bicker over their price differences. Quality of Produce: When it is fresh it's great, but they tend to really let it go to the point of tomatoes with flies and onions with mold. Unacceptable. They allow food to expire on the shelf. Why? I assume frequency of shipments? Unsure. Sales: Non-produce: They have an amazing habit of actually wanting to sell products when they reach the end of their shelf life by offering massive discounts. Example: half-gallon whole mile for $.99. They will sooner sell it for nothing before they throw it out, I don't think the same can be said for many other establishments. Produce: What happened? They rarely if ever put produce on sale to clear things about to expire, things get really ripe and even if still edible they are sold to you at the same price. It kind of feels funny when I decide to salvage a questionable onion and they allow it to pass at full price. Other Features: Tasty bakery food, appropriately priced for what it is. Tasty hot-food bar, not so sure about pricing, but I can choose whether or not to consume it. Never tried their smoothies. Cleanliness: They are very clean. Produce spoils from age not poor sanitary conditions, I have yet to see any putrefied produce. The AC is always very cold which is good news for the food I think. Overall I consider it excellent for its niche market in groceries/organic products. I will dock two stars for reasons of produce spoilage.
(3)Darcy F.
There are plenty of supermarkets in this town to choose from, but this one is my top pick. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but it is full of great food and supplements inside. They offer a wide variety of organic foods, allergen free foods (i.e. Gluten free, dairy free, nut free), natural beauty products, and a large assortment of supplements. I even buy organic dog food here! If your family is going to eat organic, you can't forget your furry ones! The employees are friendly and very knowledgable. I'm always shocked by how much they know about the various supplements. Thursday's are discount days, 10% off everything! If you're a healthy eater or would like to start eating healthier, definitely check this store out.
(4)Quyen N.
I have to compare Mother Earth Market to Ward's - can't help it. At Mother Earth Market, most bulk items (of interest to me) were more expensive than those at Ward's. However, the produce here is much better since all/most is organic. The flip side is the organic produce doesn't seem to be local. The store is conveniently located near Book Lover's Cafe. Anyway, I'll probably be back since the store is within relatively easy biking distance.
(4)Sonal D.
I'm giving this place one star because the produce is always bad, and I've baught several packaged items that have been out of date (partially my fault for not checking). Also, some of the staff members can be a little creepy but most are nice and curtious. I used to frequent an NRG in another city and the employees and products were always up to standards, so I've been pretty let down by this branch. I'll probably stop in here when I'm desperate, but I think I will be frequenting the new Trader Joe's that just opened up on Archer, when I can help it.
(1)