The Food Mill

The Food Mill has operated as Oakland's natural foods store since 1933, making it one of the longest-running family-owned grocers of its kind in the Bay Area. Now in its second generation under the Watkins family, the store carries bulk foods, organic pantry staples, herbs and spices, loose-leaf teas, vitamins, minerals, and nutritional supplements. Its own-label products include freshly ground peanut butter and soft-baked cookie bars made from a recipe dating to the 1930s. The store began as a grain milling operation and built early relationships with local farmers who supplied grains, nuts, and dried fruits directly.