Shoppers in seven states recently named a retail food co-op as the best independent grocery store in their respective states.

According to data 24/7 Tempo recently released ranking top supermarkets and grocery stores in each state, customers voted these seven retail food co-ops, all members of National Co+op Grocers (NCG), as their favorite independent stores:

• Alaska: Co-op Market Grocery & Deli, Fairbanks
• Maine: Portland Food Co-op, Portland
• Nevada: Great Basin Community Food Co-op, Reno
• New Mexico: Mountain View Market, Las Cruces
• North Carolina: Tidal Creek Cooperative Food Market, Wilmington
• Tennessee: Three Rivers Market, Knoxville
• Vermont: City Market/Onion River Co-op, Burlington

“Unlike corporate grocery chains, food co-ops are totally independent and owned by the community members who shop there. Instead of focusing on investors, food co-ops focus on providing fresh, healthy food for shoppers, creating sustainable jobs for employees, building a strong regional food system for everyone, and giving back to their community,” said C.E. Pugh, Chief Executive Officer, NCG. “It’s no surprise that so many shoppers appreciate the value of their community-owned food co-op, but few industries are as competitive as the grocery business, so that makes us especially proud of our member co-ops achieving these hard-earned rankings. It’s a true testament to our co-ops working diligently to serve their members and communities, and toward the day when everyone has the fresh, healthy food they deserve.”

24/7 Tempo based its popularity rankings on Yelp ratings of independent grocery stores in each state.