New Seasons is Portland’s homegrown sustainable, natural, local-ingredients superstore, the local boy made good. There are weekly deals on everything from beers and wines, mostly domestic and locally crafted with some imports; pre-made deli items; local produce; and handmade sausages and regionally sourced seafood. There’s a great little selection of top-quality homestuffs like knives and cookware, and these go on sale from time to time, as well, making for some great gift sourcing. A cheese selection is wrapped properly and lorded over by knowledgeable, passionate people who will explain it all.

Bulk flours, rices, lentils, granolas, dried fruits, nuts, and spices is impressive, and a great deal compared to the boxed and bagged stuff you can find in even the cheapest chain grocery stores. There are also tastings—mushrooms, wines, apples, you name it—and classes. It’s quite reasonable to grab some breakfast from the bakery or a sandwich made from top ingredients. Breads are made in-house, and you can choose from several different kinds and create virtually any combination of fillings you desire.

And you needn’t be well off to shop here: sometimes there’s a big box full of free day-old bread, various produce, and so on. Nor do you have to leave the house: New Seasons will deliver from orders made online. This may very well be, as each store’s loopy cursive claims, “The friendliest place in town.”