Find Food Co-Ops Near You With Help From These Two Websites

Shopping at a food co-op in your area is one of the best ways to obtain healthy, fresh foods and support your area’s local farmers and purveyors. Many people in small towns assume that they don’t have a food co-op in their areas, but they are actually more common than you might think. Here are two online tools to help you find co-ops near your home.

Co-Op Directory
This expansive website enables you to search by state in order to find the closest food co-ops. Each listing includes an address, phone number and links to the store’s website for additional information. Co-Op Directory also provides a short description of many of its stores, including the types of food that each store sells, its mission statement and other details.

Local Harvest
Local Harvest is one of the most popular websites for all types of fresh, local and organic foods, and it also offers a large directory of food co-ops in every state. You can search for your area by using the site’s interactive map, which offers pinpoints for each store. Once you find a co-op near you, Local Harvest provides all of the necessary driving directions, phone numbers and more.

Hill Country Galleria: Charming Retail

Bee Cave locals are lucky to have the Hill County Galleria as their local mall. The perfectly manicured facilities are filled with local shops, food and entertainment. Anchored by Barnes & Noble, Dillard’s, Whole Foods and Dick’s Sporting Goods, there’s something for everyone here. Regular cinemagoers suggest that the mall hosts one the best movie theaters in the area. The space also hosts free summer concerts in the pavilion with plenty of parking behind the shops. For those wanting to walk off their lunch, you can stroll through the entire shopping area outside with the light winds coming up over the hill to keep it from getting too hot.  For a day of retail therapy or a family outing for some shopping and food, Hill Country Galleria has it all.

Hill Country Galleria
12700 Hill Country Boulevard
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-0001
http://www.yelp.com/biz/hill-country-galleria-bee-cave

Mandola’s Italian Market: The Perfect Mix

Touted as the perfect combination of an Italian restaurant, deli, market, and bakery, Mandola’s Italian Market is sure to have something you will fall in love with. How many places in Austin can you walk into and buy a fresh Italian cookie, a cup of gelato, or sit down and enjoy an authentic Italian pasta dish? Their regulars call the tortellini moda mia with Pancetta love at first bite, and don’t forget to have them slice you up some prosciutto. Mandola’s in Bee Cave has it all and more. Locals love this spot for any event including family dinners (where they offer pint-sized seating and menus), or just a snack and cup of coffee. Don’t forget about Sundays where freshly poured mimosas are only $2 until 5pm. If you want to share this delectable Italian food with your friends, they also offer full service catering and delivery if you are in a rush but need your Mandola’s fix.

Mandola's Italian Market
12815 Shops Pkwy
Ste 400
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 600-8500
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mandolas-italian-market-bee-cave

Austin Farmer’s Market: From Farm To Table

One of the most encouraging trends in American food consumption is the transition from factory-farmed fruits, vegetables and meats to locally grown products. Farmer’s markets around the country have given producers a chance to present their products to excited eaters for decades, and they’re starting to become major keystones of grocery shopping. The Austin’s Farmer’s Market reflects the interests and values of this progressive enclave in the middle of the state, with organic vegetables, humanely raised meats, and a wide variety of ethnic prepared foods. Regulars rave about the fantastic coffee—at two bucks a cup with a free refill, it’ll keep you alert as you shop for everything you need. Some complain that certain goods sell out early, so show up at sunrise to make sure you get everything checked off your list. Best of all is the ambience—everyone is happy, laid back, and celebrating the joys of good food in a great city.

Austin Farmer’s Market
4600 Guadalupe St
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 236-0074

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