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The Story Behind San Diego’s Only Community-Owned Grocery Co-Op

Inside the beloved community-owned market that’s been slinging top-tier produce, vegan eats, and cooperative vibes for over 50 years

By Jackie Bryant February 6, 2025

The Story Behind San Diego’s Only Community-Owned Grocery Co-Op — Courtesy of Ocean Beach People’s Food Co-Op

NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDES Know the Neighborhood Where to eat, where to drink, and what it's like to live there. EXPLORE THE GUIDES

OB People’s Food Co-Op has been San Diego’s go-to for organic, vegetarian, and locally sourced groceries for over 50 years. In this week’s Happy Half Hour, co-hosts Troy Johnson and Jackie Bryant sit down with general manager Sarela Bonilla and marketing director Nina Gordon to talk about why this neighborhood institution still matters. From its humble beginnings in a garage to becoming a cornerstone of Ocean Beach, People’s is more than just a grocery store—it’s a community hub, a sustainability champion, and a beacon for food lovers who give a damn about where their groceries come from.

They dive into what makes co-ops different, how the store has weathered the rise of big-box organic, and why its legendary vegan deli keeps customers coming back. Plus, fresh James Beard nominee buzz, big moves for San Diego’s taco scene, and a breakdown of why rotisserie chickens are the universal grocery store lifesaver.

About Jackie Bryant

Jackie is a long-time freelance journalist covering cannabis, food/restaurants, travel, labor, wine, spirits, arts & culture, design, and other topics. Her work has been selected twice for Best American Travel Writing, and she has won a variety of national and local awards for her writing and reporting.

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