Fresco Community Market

Overpriced and hardly organic! I could have went to Walmart grocery for better quality and quantity!

Incredible craft beer selection! Had to find some real obscure stouts and they had many of them. The produce department is small but attractive.
Oh and they carry some really good ramen and udon noodles that I like to make on cool winter nights with some greens. Delicious!
Great customer service from the security guy at the door and everyone inside.

Leaving the Trader Joe’s parking lot, I realized I had forgotten to grab a tub of cocoa powder. I was meeting up with a girlfriend and wanted to bake her some vegan brownies. I decided to drop into Fresco Market. I was rushing, but noticed the yummy desserts in the bakery department. Uhhh, next time.
I purchased some impulse gluten-​free crackers for my skin allergy-​prone puppy. The selection for gluten free snacks was surprisingly vast. The market itself was spacious and stocked with great products. It reminded me of an Erewhon. Much less chaotic than Trader Joe’s (not to mention, much more spacious) Not quite as big as a Whole Foods (super)market.
Prices reflect the products they carry: specialty products that caters to a wide variety of dietary needs and restrictions. However, I found that a tub of Hershey’s cocoa to be a bit on the pricey side. As a bonus, I found vegan marshmallows and carob chips in the same aisle. My friend got a tray of gluten free vegan s’mores brownies.
Quick and easy checkout with hassle-​free parking. I will definitely be back!

I really like this market. As the other reviewers say, it’s a cross between Whole Foods and Trader Joes. I find that they stock interesting items, have fresh produce, and offer many organic products. The staff is very friendly and the store is clean. I like that they invest in the community and its people. This policy will always cost a bit more because you are supporting better jobs and local, organic, sustainable products. Plus, they got delicious ribs!

A bit pricey on many things, but good if you are looking for certain things like high-​end cheeses and healthy options. Good wine selection and I glad that they are open until 10PM. I like that the café sells Jone’s Roasters coffee, but wish that the lighting in the dining area was a tad brighter for book-​reading.

So the other day I walk in amd the security guard ask me for my book bag. At the time i thought it was odd because there was nothing posted that said no back packs allowed but whatever. I leave my bag with the guard. Once in the store i see a few people with overly large bags and other bags of the sort it but whatever at the time I needed the items. At home I ask my white S.O. if they have ever asked for her book bag, shocker they never have.
So yeah at frist I thought it was just me, later got the feeling it wasnt turns out racism. So yeah cool store but kind of racist. I will probably never go back.
¹⁄₁₀ would shit on their door.

This market is insanely overpriced for basic items.
It is clean. It has a Trader Joes meets Whole Foods feel inside. Smoothie bars, juice bars, coffee shops.
However I can’t get behind the fact it costs so much for basic items.

A little more expensive than Whole Foods, but the only real organic grocery store close to Highland Park open till 10pm! Customer service is great! Store layout is easy to follow. Only downside is prices are higher than most organic grocery stores.

I’ve house sitting in Garvanza for friends off and on for about a year and so far (other than the gastropub scene) I have disappointed in the grocery alternatives. Event he Ralph’s Fresh Fare is kind’a gross and badly stocked.
Boy or boy what a great find Fresco Community Market has been.
It’s is everything you want in a Whole Foods, in the size of a Trader Joes with WAY better paring and a great craft beer/​wine section and organic foods and a hot deli where they actually BBQ their own stuff.
…PLUS they employ people trying to get back on their feet: e.g. homeless, second chancre’s, etc — and I tell if there is a person who responds to kindness there are few who respond as well as a person trying to get on their feet again…
Not the cheapest, but all their bill of fare is fresh and quality and did I mention they have an awesome craft beer/​wine section and awesome hot deli?
I went their yesterday for a quick bite and a Hef and they had JUST closed the grill or the BBQ tritip was fresh fresh fresh fresh FRESH and cooked perfectly.
I had to try a small rib (3 ribs) and the pollo which were excellent as well. The Tabouleh and Orzo Edamame salads were excellent side.
Did I mention they have an awesome craft beer/​wine section and awesome hot deli?
People were nice, there was GREAT parking and the service was friendly and attentive.
…AND you are doing a small bit of good supporting a place that supports people trying to get back on their feet.
I mean you’re gonna buy food and beer and wine ANYWAYS… why not put your DO RE MI towards a good cause and help support the Fresco Community Market…
p. s. Monterey Donuts (e.g. some of the best donuts in the area) hare a parking lot with Fresco Community Market — BONUS!)

The place is way overpriced, the food is better quality and they also have some nice premade food you can take to work for lunch. There was this girl employee that I really liked there. I felt like we were two different species of aliens who spoke two different languages, who were in human disguise and thought they were actually humans that could talk to each other.
Despite that, I feel like we had something.

I have been visiting my brother in Highland park for almost 15 years. As an organic — only and mostly vegetarian person, it was a struggle to find fresh food close to his house. Since opening, we go to Frescos at least 2x a day when we visit. We get the fresh juices (amazing), and the hot plates at the deli. The food trucks are awesome, and I even bought some lovely lavender soap from a vendor inside.
Last night we had some new (to us) craft beer last night. The selection was amazing. I wish we had a frescos in our neighborhood. Thanks for the wonderful addition to Highland Park. This is a market that is transforming the way this community cares for itself — and not just health wise.
See you next time!

Ill start first with what I like about this place
First their customer service. Everytime I go in there at least one employee will awe me with their kindness. Its rare to have that much consistency it a grocery store. I love their juice/​smoothie bar very tasty! Its really close to my house so its easy to pop in for a fresh juice.
The only reasons why Im only giving four stores is because 1– their prices are high for most of their items. I can understand the specialty items but for a regular loaf of bread to be 1 – 2 $ more than other grocery stores is a bit much. Most of their items are higher than most places even trader joes. So i rarely shop here. The other reason is because they have a small selection so cant do much shopping.

Five star staff, quality, and variety. Produce is always fresh and lasts forever in the fridge. Great selection for a small community market! Amazing variety in the alcohol section! They have everything you might need in a hurry, including disposable utensils, pet food, diapers, and even toiletries. My one and only qualm– huge prices! We’re talking $ 3 for a pound of plain spaghetti. $ 1 for one bell pepper. $ 8 for 8 oz of Kraft parmesan cheese. $ 7 for a dozen cage free eggs. This stuff isn’t cheap, but at least it always comes with a smile and a pleasant shopping experience.
Tip: Milk from Fresco always seems to spoil faster. Only purchase what you can finish in a few days.

I found this wonderful market by accident. I saw a sign for donuts, and lo and behold, Fresco Community Market is in the same plaza. I liked the looks of it so much, I had to go inside and check it out.
My first impression was great. There was a guy outside grilling ribs to sell at the deli. The next time I went back, they were grilling zucchini, or something that looked like it. The point is, it looks good and smells good, and it sets a great prelude to what’s inside the market.
When I entered I was duly impressed with the feel of the market. It had a very clean, organized feel to it. The closest thing I could compare the market to is Whole Foods, but more of the «cool» feel of a Trader Joe’s.
The way everything is displayed is very appealing. It’s the way I’d like my market to look if I ever had one.
Everything is top quality. The fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, deli, bakery,…you name it, it’s all done perfectly. See my pics, you’ll see. They also have a great beer and wine selection.
The staff is super friendly. All of them. You ask them a question and they are quick to help. Checkers are super cool!
Want to meet someone for coffee and a snack or a light meal? They have a really nice little café’ inside. It would be my first pick if I wanted to meet someone in that area for a friendly chat or meeting.
It’s between Via Marisol and Ave. 60, just north of Monterey road.
If you’re in the area, do check them out. There’s a nice parking lot, plenty of parking. Very hassle free all around.

I’ve been coming to Fresco community market for the past three years and it’s not only just because of the great meats and seafood, cheese and produce but it’s all the specialty items that they offer.
This store supports local businesses by showcasing their products twice a year at these huge storewide events where all the vendors get to come and give their products away to the customers. It’s so refreshing to come to one of these events and taste and sample all the unique items that they carry from local businesses.
They also have the funniest and coolest workers here. Every single one of them are super friendly and completely go out of their way to make sure that you are 100% taken care of.
All of the things that you look for in the store is here at Fresco and I got to give it up to the owner who made this happen for our community.
If you’re around on the weekends you have to stop in for the barbecue because it is absolutely the best!

Very clean decent quality Whole Foods/​Trader Joe’s type health food grocery store. Fresco has a fresh juice bar, fresh seafood section and a café that serves simple desserts lattes coffee and awesome seating area inside.
Prices are a lot higher than Trader Joe’s. No doubt a hipster stop shop. It’s fast, clean, fresh and unassuming.
The temptation can be endless when shopping here, but you will pay the price. Don’t get too excited.

Very clean place with a nice selection, but no Oikos. Nice employees, armed security roaming store. They do have organic and quite a few of the healthier brands. Most meat looked nice, but some of the beef had big brown spots. Pretty nice fruit and veggies, but oranges looked old. Beautiful avocados. Lots of wine.

I came in to grab a fresh juice and some butter from grass fed cows. This is a great place to pick up healthy snacks and groceries. Yes the price can be a bit higher than your average market but you will find things here that you won’t find at your average market.
When I checked out, Maria was my cashier. The entire few minutes that I was at her register, she was engaging, intuitive, helpful, very witty and smart. A very sweet young lady. She noticed that I didn’t have a cup holder for my two juices and voluntarily ran back to get one for me.
When I was leaving the store «splat!!» one of my juices fell in the parking lot right past the door. I was gonna write that off as a loss but she ran out and picked up the cup and had another juice made for me! How nice was that?!
She made my so-​so day a lot brighter. Not just because of the juice but her overall sweetness.

Ever since I moved to Alhambra, I’ve been looking for a market similiar to Sprouts or Whole Foods since the closest Whole Foods is in Pasadena and the closest Sprouts is even further away. I decided to give Fresco Community Market a chance.
The selection of the products here are similiar to the kind you’d find at Sprouts and Whole Foods. However, the selection is a lot smaller. The prices are also not that low. It’s definitely more expensive than Sprouts, probably around the same as Whole Foods.
I just didn’t get too good of a vibe from this market. Maybe because it was almost empty? I only saw maybe 3 other customers in there when I was there.
I’d rather drive further and just go to Whole Foods or Sprouts.

As someone who lived in Monterey Hills before Fresco, I have to say it’s a great addition to the community. Prior to Fresco, there were a couple of poorly run, poorly stocked no-​name grocery stores that occupied the space. Fresco changed all of that. The owner really made a commitment to the store, upgrading the building and definitely upgrading the quality of the items offered.
Fresco has a small organic fruit and vegetable selection, but is very well stocked in the craft beer department. There are many varieties of beers to choose from – I’d have to say at least 10 IPAs alone. They also carry a decent variety of wines.
Other points for Fresco include the high quality of the butcher shop, the juice bar (I’ve never tried it but one of my friends who doesn’t even live that close would stop by for the juices), and definitely the bakery and coffee. The baked goods are provided by Homeboy as well as another bakery and are always good. I really enjoy the coffee; I either go for just a regular or the latte and both are excellent. This section of the market actually fills a void in the neighborhood. I think their bakery and coffee are way better than anything else in the area (Antigua has such a small selection of pastries and their coffee isn’t as good).
The workers are all very friendly and I love that Fresco hires homeless individuals. Because of all the above, I deal with the fact that Fresco’s prices are typically more than Trader Joe’s. It’s worth it. Even now that I don’t live as close, I still stop by for an occasional coffee or if I need something that’s not carried by the cheaper grocery stores.