First Alternative Co-op - South Store

there's a breakfast hot bar; inlcuding oatmeal, scones and muffins, and breakfast burritos. small hot soup section and lunch/dinner hot bar that's diffeferent every day. big grab and go section with many vegan options. the deli makes great sandwiches on the spot (when you can get fresh falafel, it's totally worth any drive!) and on tuesdays fresh sushi is made. they have local 6 tags on the shelf that indicates if you're buying something within the 6 surrounding counties and farmer direct produce-which is all organic. second tuesday of the month owners get 10% off purchases, and it only costs $70 for a lifetime membership. the co-op does not sell any slave chocolate or cocoa products. the bulk section is large, featuring frozen fruits & veggies & kombucha on tap. for a vegan, it's one stop shopping. although they have yet to carry a vegan chocolate chip cookie, the yum yam bars that come out of the bakery, and the orange frosted vanilla cupcakes are to die for.

Impressive especially for a coop... clean and friendly... good selection and then some!
Updated from previous review on Wednesday October 28, 2009

When you come to a new town, it's easy to assume that their co-op could not possibly live up to the one back home. First Alternative has surpassed all expectations. First Alternative has terrific fruit. The hot food bar consistently has vegan entrees. It's a great place to go when you're too tired to cook and don't feel like being at a restaurant.

This is a nice coop with a great deli! They have lots of veggie choices on the deli, including a great burrito bar. Not strictly veggie. Prices a little high, but this is Corvallis, I guess. And their store is right next to Intaba's, a great organic restaurant with good veggie options.