The food is so good I love it I think that the people in there are very friendly it is a good place to have a good lunch with your friends are you boyfriend or girlfriend

Ames can surprise, and Wheatsfield Cooperative is a great example. Tucked away just west of downtown and minutes from the Iowa State campus, Wheatsfield Cooperative is a terrific grocery option that is both rewarding and a positive experience. Terrific customer service, well-laid-out product aisles, and an adjacent parking lot make this a good visit. I took an additional step and enjoyed a great lunch from their deli, as Arie was outstanding, preparing a delicious sandwich and superb side items. They have a spacious common area that can be used for community functions and customer meal seating, complete with comfy tables.

Great cooperative/grocery store. I mainly go here to grab a lunch. Good vegetarian sandwiches, both hot and cold.

Desperately needs more vegan food options in the deli. Overall a good store but very predictable and basic. I like the outdoor seating but the only decent vegan option is the smoked tempeh Reuben. Yawn.

One of the only places in Ames where I can find allergen friendly options. They have a great selection and fresh hot food as well. It is a bit pricey but you are supporting a local business. Will definitely continue shopping there.

Located just west of Main Street, I had driven past many times but never stopped by. My roommate wanted to check it out so I tagged along. The store is well maintained, clean, and looks modern. It's not huge and there are maybe about 10 aisles of products and then places to order food around the perimeter. The products they carry are typical of a health market- lots of organic, gluten free, and vegan options available. They had many samples out in different varieties which was a great surprise. They had lots of local products. My friend especially likes the wine selection and appreciates that they carry local varieties. All the produce was nicely arranged and looked fresh. The employees are knowledgeable and willing to help you if you have any questions. I didn't have to wait in line to check out even though it was a busy Saturday.

Although I don't live in Ames so am not a member, I have stopped by Wheatsfield several times when in town. They have a great smoothie bar, and, although a small store, they have everything one would need. The organic produce selection is stellar, the baked goods I have tried are delicious (get the cardamom raisin bread if they have a loaf!), a great variety of smoothies, friendly staff, a polished store, and plenty of free wi-fi and seating to work, talk, or just relax with your treats. This is a grocery store, so you can enjoy a snack or deli meal and make sure you have everything you need to take home for your own creations!

Buy a membership! I found out they had Student Memberships for $20 per year. I jumped on it and bought one for my daughter. Why? We love the prepared foods. Organic, sustainably sourced ingredients made the soups refreshing and pastas super delicious. One of my favorite items was their sandwiches. The groceries were fresh and pretty. The best item at the store was their Kombucha on draft. The strawberry and cumin flavor was amazing. They have refillable Growlers just for Kombucha.

I've been here a handful of times since I've lived in Ames, and I must honestly admit that I've been treated amazingly. The staff has always been extremely helpful - even if my questions were dumb - and no one ever gave me a "holier than thou" attitude or anything. This co-op is open to the public for shopping as well, but members will enjoy a discount off their purchases. I'd shop here more often (honestly), but the prices are higher than "non-organic" versions, so this is a store I only tend to come to when I specifically am seeking out a good selection of REAL and organic items. For example, this latest time, I was looking for a shampoo that would have minimal toxins instead of my current mainstream shampoo. They had an entire little section that must have had at least 30/40 varieties to choose from. Not all of them were toxin-free (being organic doesn't guarentee that), but using information from the Cosmetic Database and comparing to the available items, I found one that was minimally problematic. They also carry a lot of stuff that you can't get anywhere else in town. By a lot, I mean A LOT. When it comes to beauty products, they carry the "standard" Burt's Bees that you'd find anywhere else all over town, but they also carry 10-15 other brands. It gives you a very nice selection. Also, while the health-food section at Hy-Vee carries about 5 essential oils, this Co-Op has an INSANE amount. I didn't count, but it has to be 60+. So, basically, while I don't come here for my regular grocery run, I love knowing that it's in town and buying from there when I can or want to see a full, natural selection. It's more expensive than I'd like, but I really love the atmosphere and the "small business" feel that it has going on, so I really prefer to support them when I can. The employees actually seem happy and like they enjoy themselves, the store is clean, simple, and easy to navigate, and everything is honestly so peaceful. Love this place.