Arbor Farms Market — Local services in Ann Arbor

So disappointed in my beloved Arbor Farms today. I stopped in quick before work this morning to grab a few grilled chicken breasts. They had minimal prepared foods put out which seems to happen quite a bit. I feel like, if the store opens that early in the morning, then everything should be out and ready to go for purchase by the customers. But, that has been an ongoing issue where they don’t seem prepared if you stop in early in the morning. The grilled chicken breasts are something they have everyday, so I knew if they weren’t out on display, that they had some in the back. So, I stood in front of the prepared foods counter for several minutes. There were three employees behind the counter. Not one of them looked up to give me eye contact and ask if I needed help. I have experienced this many times before as I go in there pretty often and I have never complained. I have also stood along with other customers who have been waiting to be helped and it takes a very long time for the the employees behind the counter to acknowledge the customers. One particular employee, named Corey is especially rude and lacks any ounce of customer service skills, always has a chip on his shoulder, but I continue to have to deal with him when I go in there. Finally, I saw another employee standing close by, so I asked if he could help me. I told him I needed a few grilled chicken brests and asked if he could kindly check the back to see if they had any. So, he asks Corey if there are any in the back to which Corey replies in a rude manner, “yeah do wanna go get them for her?” I could tell the other employee was a bit shocked by Corey’s response but he was trying to hold his composure in front of me, the customer. I told Corey that I had been waiting to be helped and he argued with me and told me I wasn’t standing in front of the counter waiting. To argue with a customer is just awful and 100 percent not how you act as an employee. After a bit of back and forth banter and the two employees arguing about who was gong to go get my chicken breasts, Corey asked me rudely how many I wanted. As many times as I’ve been treated this way by the employees behind the counter, I have never complained so I decided to do so this morning. They brought out Robert, who I know has been the owner for several years. I thought that was perfect since speaking to the owner would be even better than speaking to the manager which is what I requested. When I explained the situation to Robert and told him that his employee was not only rude to me but he was also rude to the other employee, Robert’s response was…..”well, I can MENTION it to him, but I don’t know that it will make him any nicer.” 😳😳 I was so shocked by the owners response. I said, “ well maybe he doesn’t need to be working here if he treats your customers like shit.” 🤷🏼‍♀️ And then Robert says….”I don’t think I’ll mention it to him TODAY. I’ll PROBABLY say something to him Saturday or Sunday.” Like, whaaaat?! 😂 Robert seemed clueless on how to handle a customer complaint and I am shocked at the overall way that Arbor Farms seems to handle the customers. I love Arbor Farms more than Plum or Whole Foods. But, I think I will be returning my business back to Plum. Their prepared foods section isn’t as good as Arbor Farms but at least their customer service is top notch. Anybody else have a similar experience with Arbor Farms employees? I have no idea what is going on there but after meeting the owner today it makes sense to me why they have hired such...

UPDATE 2/22/25 I removed my five star rating and honestly wish I could give ZERO stars. I ordered a turkey honeycup sandwich from the deli today and after one bite I noticed the lettuce that was hanging off the bread was extremely dirty….. well it was not just dirt. It was literally at least 5 bugs on this lettuce alongside the dirt. I should’ve taken a photo but I was just so disturbed and disgusted I gave the sandwich to my husband and he took it back in for a refund. The employee did refund him and mention they would “get the lettuce back there cleaned up”. Why wasn’t it clean to begin with? You can get really sick from dirty lettuce! Given the amount of dirt and BUGS I will never be ordering from their deli again. I don’t understand why it wasn’t cleaned or how the person making the sandwich didn’t notice. Some of the bugs were bigger. I’m not trying to be dramatic but it actually ruined my whole day and I’ve been so nauseous just thinking about it.

Ordered two sandwiches from their deli for a picnic. They were kind and put the sauce on the side. I got the ham and cheese on the pretzel bun and I was shocked at how amazing it was! Whatever honey mustard they used was literally the best thing I’ve ever tasted. Will definitely use the deli again when I need a quick lunch or for any...

They have one of the best gluten free selections in town and have helpful gluten free tags on their shelves. Some of the staff are very friendly and helpful, others not so much. They have a wide variety of produce - but their quality control, not only in produce, but also in other areas is really lacking. I check the expiration dates on everything I buy there, feel the produce for bad spots. I have had things go bad or bought things (even canned and other grocery items) that I have found were past date as I was unpacking them when got them home. I don't know why Arbor Farms has this issue more than other natural foods grocery stores in the area, but I shop there a lot and have for many years and it continues to be a problem.

Overall, the produce is decent, not great (the People's Food Coop and Plums are better), but the GF foods selection, wide selection of other foods, the staff members that are friendly and helpful, the wide aisles with plenty of space to maneuver a cart with two kids in tow, the great location, easy parking, and fellow shoppers who are respectful (ie, not the aggressively self absorbed, pushy, and obnoxious folks you frequently encounter at WF and Plums) - make it a good place to shop. Just a generally pretty low key pleasant...