Planet Organic Market

I NEVER write reviews, but I had to say something… Just moved to the neighbourhood and stopped in to pick up some dinner from their food bar. Broccoli salad was old and the broccoli was brown. After taking a bite, I threw it out. Spinach potato cake tasted like cleaning fluid. Those two things cost $ 18.00, both of which I couldn’t eat. I should have clued in when I noticed the other salads behind the glass looked like they had been sitting there for a while — the broccoli salad looking like the pick. Next time, I will drive an extra few minutes to go to CNF in Crowfoot. The selection of pre-​made foods isn’t as extensive as the downtown location, but at least I can expect some quality.

Good prices on Black Kale, vegies but the fruit is a tad high. Nice place to shop. Found non organic produce and pointed it out to management. They were slow to remove it but a call to the Health Department labeling compliance division sure changed things. Anyone can be trusted with proper supervision.

Very rude staff. Went twice, both times had bad experiences. Never again.

I’m a «Creeker»…a Bragg Creeker. So getting good groceries is hard to do in the winter, when I’m not growing my own.
I was recommended this place by my massage therapist at Landmark Health.
While the produce section was lacking, it was stocked with mostly in season goods, which I value and appreciate. Low carbon footprint = yay.
The dry goods were plentiful and creative, oils galore — I had to step away. As well as a great variety of sauces that are HEALTHY and I feel good about feeding to my family.
I“ll be doing most of my shopping here now, Community Foods is just too overpriced and stuffy… with a lot of excess junk sales… might just use them for my herbs.

Getting parking at this place is insane. It’s about as bad for parking as that other big natural food store downtown.
The prices are fair and the quality of the food is super, but I tend to avoid the place since getting a parking spot is like fighting for your life.

Well after a crazy day of driving around the city, (I started my errand across the street at Wine Kitz) I had to come back to the area for a couple more supplies. I didn’t even know this location existed and I drive by it all the time!
Sales staff was super friendly and helpful. If one person didn’t know, they were able to find another member that could. It’s definitely more expensive than a commercial grocery store, but better quality and if you’re stuck with food allergies it works.
One thing I would appreciate is, they definitely cater to Vegans, but not so much gluten free. Being the type of store they they are, it would be nice to have some deli options.

Going into Planet Organic, I was thinking it would probably be a lot like Trader Joe’s in the USA. I was wrong. It’s quite small in comparison and limited to the variety of products they carry. A bit disappointing. I had expected the prices to be higher but was shocked at just how high some of them were. I thought the prices for meat and perishables were ridiculous.
I took time to check out every aisle. I found a number of items that the regular grocery stores and Costco carry at lower prices. Since I’m big on prices, I really don’t think it’s worth the extra to buy it here.
Planet Organic has an ok health and beauty section although most can be bought at your local drug store. The candles and bath salts looked and smelled very tempting. Perhaps I’ll pick up some another time. As for the rest of the store, I don’t see myself shopping here more than once a year.

I only just discovered this wonderful store, since it’s near my new office. Since then, I go about three times a week. I don’t always buy something, but I just love to look around! Yes, it is more expensive than Community Health, but I think Planet Organic wins when it comes to the layout and design of the store, the presentation and selection of items, and the absolutely dee-​lish deli! I doubt that all the items in there are totally good for you, but the thought is there, and the flavors are amazing. Try the carrot cake or the edamame salad!

To Planet Organic,
When I am lazy, you give me vegan frozen pizza and a large selection of yummy deli salads (‘cept you have no clue how to make delicious tofu). When I am malnourished, you give me kale and quinoa. When I am baking, you give me Earth Balance for the occasionally reasonable price of $ 3.99. When I want to blog about vegan luxury products, you have Daiya and Toffutti and other weird things. When I want to look like I am drinking and driving, you give me Virgil’s Root Beer. Though a bit pricier than one of your main competitors in the city that I will not name because you obviously know, I like visiting you because you are conveniently situated next to Goodwill where I can be an old lady and lurk pretty little teacups.
Some of your staff have been on the creepy side in the past, but most of them are very friendly and helpful. One time I actually even left my writer’s journal with my third most embarrassing moment in it and you called me and returned it to me, and if any of your staff members read it, you didn’t even make me THAT uncomfortable.
Yours Truly,
Sarah Louise

It’s great to find bulk quinoia nearby and reasonably priced.

I was after some agave nectar, so I went to Planet Organic. This place is a bit overwhelming. They have everything you would need to enjoy a organic whole food lifestyle. They have a decent selection of produce, the prices are comparable to other stores, but I find that the quality of the produce is better here. They have a huge selection of bulk pastas, grains and trail mixes. The prices are up there for some of the nut and fruit mixes, at $ 2.60 or so per lb. They have all sorts of drinks and juices, cereals and snacks. They carry a nice selection of jams, honeys, syrups and of course my agave nectar! Which was on sale! They have a whole isle of frozen products! Also all your baking necessities, oils and vinegars. They carry some of my favorite products, like salba grain and coconut oil. They have a huge section of vitamins and supplements as well.
This is a great place to get any of your organic or whole foods. They have a extensive selection and the pricing is comparable to other places. Bring your own bags!

Any place that let’s me eat a cookie for dinner is goin’ down in my good books. You heard me: Cookie For Dinner.
Planet Organic (P.O.) is not only one of the most popular organic/​natural food stores in Calgary, but they make a MEAN cosmic cookie. The cosmic powers invested in this cookie somehow make it SO filling that you can have a cookie for an entire meal and you’re good to go. And speaking of meals, P.O. has some of the best salads I’ve ever had, like their ‘Hail To The Kale’, it just makes my body soooooo happy!
Like Lindsay K. mentions, the prices at Planet Organic are pretty typical for a natural/​whole food store. You pay extra for the quality, not the quantity.
Let’s recap: Cookie for dinner. SOLD.

I’ve yet to find an organic food store that is very different from any other one. The same goes for this Planet Organic Market in Varsity. They are pretty much your standard organic, natural food store.
They have your basic fruit and veggies, and well as canned goods, breads, meats, ice cream, frozen berries, and all your cooking needs. The only thing I found that varied slightly from the other stores was their huge vitamin section. They even have a pharmacist guy standing there ready to answer any questions you might have.
I found the staff here to be not-​so friendly. I was in here for almost half an hour, staring intently at some items, and was passed by three different workers, none of whom offered any help whatsoever. The only friendly worker was the pleasant old lady who helped me at the till.
The prices at this place are pretty average for a natural food store, a little on the expensive side, but what healthy food place isn’t, right? Since it’s the closest organic market to me, I’ll probably go back again… but definitely won’t be making it my new grocery store.