Frequently Asked Questions

To create a favorite order, first you must be registered and logged in to the website. Then, click on the "shop now" link near the shopping basket at the top left of the page. Add items to your shopping cart as you normally would. These items will become your favorite order. Then, click on the "view cart" link near the shopping basket at the top left of the page. Confirm that the list of products and quantities are correct, and then click "Update and Save as Favorite".

We color code our shelf tags to make shopping easier and to help serve you better! Now, if you're wondering whether or not a product is gluten-free, all you have to do is look at the tag! Here is the code:

• Orange tags mean a product is gluten-free
• Red mean means the product is on sale
• Green means it's part of our Everyday Low Price (EDLP) program
• Yellow means the product meets the criteria to be included in our Gold Star program

We’re happy to be open 8:00 am – 9:00 pm Monday through Saturday, and 9:00 am – 7:00 pm on Sundays.  Store hours on holidays may vary.

We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover, Debit cards, EBT, personal and business checks, and good old-fashioned cash.

The Patronage Rebate that members receive in years that the co-op turns a profit is determined by a few factors.  During the February Board of Directors meeting, the Board looks over the books and determines if a rebate is to be given and what the amount will be.  Only the pervious year’s sales to active members contribute to the Patronage Rebate pool, and the amount of each member’s rebate will be a percentage of what they spent in the store throughout the previous year when shopping as an active member.

MVM members can take advantage of our twice-monthly Member Appreciation Days, where members can save 5% on items not currently on sale and 10% on bulk orders.  On Member Appreciation Days there is a massage therapist on duty in our café area, and samples galore.  Stop in on the first and third Thursdays of each month and see what the fun is about.

In an effort to reduce waste and encourage responsible consumerism, MVM charges only five cents for each new bag that is used for groceries.   On average, Americans use 12 plastic bags per grocery visit.  Americans dispose of 100 billion plastic bags, and only 1-3% of what we use actually gets recycled.  Reducing the number of bags that we use is a good thing for the environment and is something that MVM encourages.  Though we charge only $0.05, bags actually cost us between 8 and 10 cents each.

The following advice is not a substitute for your doctor’s opinion, but you might want to try eliminating soaps and detergents that contain chemicals, artificial dyes and scents.  Additionally, you can try following an “elimination diet” to see if the following common allergens are affecting your skin; dairy, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, soy.

  Be sure to use only moisturizers and creams that contain natural, recognizable ingredients.  A good rule to follow is that if you cannot pronounce the name of an ingredient, it might be best to avoid it.  Lastly, practice some form of stress management.  The nerves in your skin react to physical and emotional stress, so be kind to yourself – you deserve it!

We stock many herbal and homeopathic remedies, as well as a wide assortment of vitamins, minerals and other supplements that our knowledgeable staff can assist you with.  Many people are satisfied with the results of the advice and the efficacy of the products that we offer, but always consult your doctor when seeking advice for a health-related issue as MVM does not have a trained medical professional on staff at this time.

Since we try to keep our backstock to a minimum, most times all we have of a given item is what is on our shelves with the exception of produce.  To keep produce fresh we put a limited amount on the floor.  If you don’t see what you’re looking for, just ask!  

We get grocery deliveries twice a week – on Mondays and Fridays – and we will most likely be able to restock on those days.  If you are looking for an item that we do not normally carry, our Customer Service staff will be happy to assist you and we may very well likely be able to order it from one of our suppliers.

MVM stocks fair trade, organically grown coffee that is produced in small batches.  Fair-Trade groups like Equal Exchange pay a premium to their farmers to ensure that workers are receiving a fair wage.  Is our coffee expensive?  Let’s do the math…  You can expect to brew 3.2 gallons (409 ounces) of coffee from a pound of beans, which means an 8 oz cup of our coffee costs you a mere 24-cents a cup when brewed at home.  Our Red Rock Roasters French Roast coffee costs even less – only 15 cents per cup.  Compare that with the $2.00 you’ll pay at major chains for non-organic coffee that does not pay a fair wage to growers and you can see that your coffee dollar goes further with us than elsewhere.

Conventional produce may appear on grocery store shelves to be inexpensive, but you pay for it multiple ways – through tax dollars via government subsidies, contamination scares, unfair, unlivable wages for farmers, and the list goes on.  The primary cost of small-scale, organic produce comes from human labor.  Organic produce is more labor intensive since chemical herbicides and pesticides are not used. Using environmentally sound growing practices is not always the most cost-effective way to grow a crop, much in the same way that a fine, hand-made musical instrument costs more than one that is churned out in a factory.  When buying organic, you’re getting the best of what nature can give you.

With the exception of the local produce, almost all of our fruits and vegetables are certified organic. Though most of our local growers use organic farming practices, many cannot afford the expense associated with certification.  Clean food tastes better!

You will be happy to know that unlike huge “club” stores, you do not have to be a Mountain View Market member to shop with us.  Membership has its benefits though, and members receive special discounts and opportunities that are unavailable to other shoppers.