Where do u grocery shop and why?

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Replies

  • VegasFit
    VegasFit Posts: 1,232 Member
    Costco for frozen meats, veggies, fruit, flax, chia, coconut oil, almond milk. I also check the weekly ads for Smiths and Albertson's, the two stores closest to my house and buy my salmon, beef, and frozen individual veggie packs there when the price is right and just freeze for future use. I sometimes do bountifulbaskets.org for my fruit and veggies because the price is good and it forces me to experiment.
  • angelicprettyy
    angelicprettyy Posts: 143
    NoFrills. Nice and cheap. :)
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    Stop & Shop (meat and salmon, Greek yogurt).
    Whole Foods (for my produce, gluten free items, and Earth Balance).
    Trader Joe's (occasionally… closest one is 40 minutes away).
    Big Y (meat and salmon, Greek yogurt).

    During spring/summer, I grow my own veggies and buy produce through a local farms co-op.
  • Jade0529
    Jade0529 Posts: 213 Member
    a mix of stores including local small fruit and veg sellers, big chain grocery stores, and what we call "the Dep" or "Depanneur" which is basically a convenience store for late night milk and bread runs. (they also sell beer, liquor, snacks, smokes, bus passes etc)
  • gaylelynnbell
    gaylelynnbell Posts: 248 Member
    HEB for my major shopping. For the in between trips to the store, I go to Kroger since it's only about a block from my house. I think of it as a really large convenience store! Occasionally, I run into Walmart, but they would have to pay me to eat their produce. HEB has the best prices and the freshest produce and meat and a really wide selection.
  • quicklabs
    quicklabs Posts: 254 Member
    Hi there, neighbor!
    I shop at Kroger Marketplace in Beavercreek (great produce selection), Dorothy Lane Market (for fish and all my meats) and Trader Joe's. Commissary trips are generally limited to picking up Edy's Slow Churned Ice Cream at a good price. Since we eat so much produce and organic stuff, it's usually not worth the trip or the hassle.
    I'm in the Air Force, so I do most of my shopping at the base commissary because they sell stuff at cost. They aren't known for their produce freshness/selection, nor do they get new products quickly, so I get most of that stuff at Meijer, Dorothy Lane Market, and Trader Joe's. And Target for Mello Yello Zero because they are the only place in my area that sells it.
  • montana_girl
    montana_girl Posts: 1,403 Member
    We shop at Wal-Mart and the Natural Grocers. If we can't get organic, grass fed, fresh caught, etc at Wal-Mart, then we pick it up at the Natural Grocers. Why do we do this? Because we try to eat as "clean" (I put that in quotes because everyone has there own version of clean eating) as possible when we eat at home.
  • katiest0ne
    katiest0ne Posts: 5
    I mostly shop at Shaws, Market Basket, and sometimes Hannaford's because they have a lot of good vegan products (I live in New England btw) but sometimes I will get some things from Trader Joe's. I work at a small locally owned grocery store that get stuff from too :) basically I love food shopping haha.
  • queenofheartz44
    queenofheartz44 Posts: 17 Member
    Bulk shopping done at Costco because I can feed a small army for not much $$$. Individual and/or specialty type items we shop at Sprouts (just around the corner from our house) and Trader Joe's (near my wife's office)...occasionally Albertson's but I hate that place (because they never have checkout staff and lines out the butt).

    I love Trader Joe's, and Fry's. We are getting a Sprouts here in Prescott Valley and have heard their prices are better than Whole Foods but I have never been there so I have no clue what its like! The Albertson's up here is just weird so I avoid it, has a really off feeling about it.
  • kgeyser
    kgeyser Posts: 22,505 Member
    Mostly Wegmans because they have the largest selection, and for quick trips I go to Harris Teeter because it is within walking distance and they have a few items I can't find at Wegmans. I'm not really happy about either choice, both places are expensive. I'm working on getting my coupons more in order and trying to pick things up on sale. I miss shopping at the commissary; unfortunately, the closest one is a 30 min drive with no traffic, and in NoVA there is no such thing as no traffic.
  • GatorUA
    GatorUA Posts: 38 Member
    I shop at Save A Lot for some canned goods and paper goods. They're on the way to other places so I don't make a special trip there. There are few name brands but a lot of their brands are made by the big companies.

    I shop at the Asian market "Lotte" for spices, lentils, beans, and all my fruits and veggies. They're half the price and have a lot of great things. Since I get my fresh veggies there, I go to Lotte about every other week, sometimes every week.

    I shop at Whole Foods for the vegan substitute foods that my husband likes (sausages, meat substitute, vegan cheeses) when I don't have time to make them myself. I can get my soy or almond creamer at the local grocery so I only go to WF when I'm out of the "hubby food." When he's traveling, I don't use any substitutes, just lots of veggies, and grains. We go to Whole Foods maybe once a month or less.

    And for spur of the moment things, like when I need a bag of baby spinach, we have a Safeway 3 miles from the house, a Target with some food less than a mile away. I try to avoid Wal-mart.
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  • Timelordlady85
    Timelordlady85 Posts: 797 Member
    We shop Publix, Sam's Club and Walmart. Depends on the sales at Publix with their produce and BOGO(buy one,get one free) items that are healthy. Otherwise we get most of our smaller staple items (excluding meat) from walmart and the meats and bulkier items like eggs, cheese, salad veggies and fruits we get at Sam's club. If I see a good sale at the local produce market, I'll shop from there also.
  • Annie_01
    Annie_01 Posts: 3,096 Member
    H-E-B! It has great everything, pretty much. A good selection of fresh produce and organic items. About on par with Walmart in terms of price. A lot times their house brand of things is just as good as name brand. We have a few Whole Foods and Trader Joes, but they are always so so packed, it really doesn't make for an enjoyable experience. For time, money, and overall experience, I'll take H-E-B!

    The H-E-B where I shop...they have a good selection...great prices...decent produce...they are however a zoo...need to take Valiums before entering.
  • will2lose72
    will2lose72 Posts: 128 Member
    HEB, Target, Walmart and Sam's. Rarely at Randall's and Whole Foods. I shop at all of the first 3 main ones (Sam's maybe once a month or less) because that's what it takes to find everything we like. HEB is to the point that products don't get shelf space unless they are HEB brand. It's seriously like they could move the brand name items to one aisle of the store at this point.
  • Annie_01
    Annie_01 Posts: 3,096 Member
    Sprout's Farmers Market...starting this weekend. I am moving within a 5 minute walk from them.
  • mom2aeris
    mom2aeris Posts: 98 Member
    Costco & Kroger. I live in a fairly large household, so we need to buy some of our stuff from Costco to save the money, but I am also on WIC so I get some of my stuff from Kroger out of necessity. I wish Costco had some more options for certain things, but that's ok.
  • lbelle987
    lbelle987 Posts: 97
    I primarily shop at Kroger. I like Kroger prices, the gas points & their store brands (especially Simple Truth). The main thing I avoid buying there is meat, which I buy in bulk at Costco or a butcher. Simple Truth organic meats are good, but the prices aren't, so I shop elsewhere :)
  • Foodiethinking
    Foodiethinking Posts: 240 Member
    Londoner over here :)

    My weekly shop is at my local Lidl because I know where everything is- I can be in and out in 20minutes with a week's shopping- and it's cheap. I mainly get meat and dairy, and some fruit if on offer.

    Tesco to fill the gaps like uncommon spices, specific brand items. But more expensive :/

    Local market a couple of times a week for cheap fruit and veg- my only weakness is buying too much for my fridge or to carry!
  • Athijade
    Athijade Posts: 3,300 Member
    I shop many different places because I have a restricted diet due to medical reasons (essentially, certain foods can cause my condition to flare and leave me in pain for days). With these restrictions it is sometimes about finding a BRAND more then a store.

    Once a month I go to Whole Foods and pick up a few staples like pear juice, chips, popcorn, rices, and stuff like that. They also has a pretzel bun that is safe that is SO good for hamburgers. So I always plan burgers the week I will be there!

    MOST of my basics (fruits/vegetables/meats) are bought weekly at Trader Joes. I also get my milk and a few frozen items there. Good prices and good options.

    I also shop at Fresh Market mostly for special meat cuts (bone in rib eyes or coconut crusted cod for example) and bread.

    Then I have Meijer if I want bagels or alfredo sauce.

    Then Target because it is the only place I can find the frozen chicken nuggets that are safe for me. But I just buy 2 bags at a time!

    When the Farmers Markets open up around here, I figure I will buy a good amount of my groceries there. At least at the one I used to go to, I could get my beef and lamb, eggs, bread, and produce there. Will have to see what the offerings are like here.
  • debrakgoogins
    debrakgoogins Posts: 2,033 Member
    I shop at Market Basket for the majority of my food because they are clean, inexpensive and have a great variety of products. It also helps that they are on the way home from my office. They consistently have fantastic specials. I buy most of my produce from a little, locally owned Asian market. Their prices can't be beat!!! I get pints of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and black berries for $1 each. I also purchase boneless, skinless chicken and ground turkey at Sam's Club because their prices are the best and we use tons of chicken and turkey.
  • bethlaf
    bethlaf Posts: 954 Member
    Publix since i am in florida, they do a lot of bogo and i can stack store and manufacturers coupons there
    Super Target, they price match ANY LOCAL AD and with thier coupons , the cartwheel ad and coupons ,I can get some pretty good prices.
    Whole Foods, there are a few select items I buy there- Wild Rice- bulk popcorn, Sesame seeds, TVP
    Walmart , if they have a deal where I can use the overage, or I can price match and use coupons
    Aldis- they have some stuff there thats always a good price - Pesto for ex. and Yogurt if its not on sale somewhere else with coupons for less. and if i am stopping there i generally stock up on 5-6lbs of extra bananas , because really in my house there is no such thing
    Dollar Tree- for one thing only- FROZEN FRUIT- at a buck a bag, its perfect for shakes and smoothies- and i watch for items they have that match my coupons , in january i picked up 3 cases (of 24) betty crocker cornbread mix which after coupons was like 8.00
    Save a lot for Frozen ground turkey and Jenni o turkey bacon-

    Albertsons for SELECT sales, (like 1x every other month) and the sale has to be pretty amazing cus i have to drive there special x town.

    I REALLY miss Kroger
    and For those in Tx. you have HEB , thats a good store too

    there are 8 people in my house - so I Rely on coupons .
    and do a lot of value shopping.
  • CleanKim
    CleanKim Posts: 29 Member
    I live in Charlotte NC and shop at Earth Fare, Trader Joe's, Target, and Harris Teeter.
    Earth Fare by far is my favorite store. I know I am not buying anything with bad chemicals.
  • LiveLoveLift67
    LiveLoveLift67 Posts: 895 Member
    I buy my BOGO deals at Publix and most of my meat there because i work there and they will cut it for me anyway you want it. I also work in the Seafood dept so i know what is fresh there too.

    Most staples i shop at Walmart because i know i can get better deals...

    A few items i get at the Sams Club wholesale place

    Occasionally the farmers market
  • hananah89
    hananah89 Posts: 692 Member
    Harris Teeter for the majority of fresh things (regular shopping trip) even though there prices are a little higher than the Food Lion or Kroger, their quality is much much better. I get gas, paper products, and occasionally fresh stuff at Sams Club. Mostly processed stuff (although I've cut down on them) and cleaning things from Target. Then Trader Joe's for things like my delicious plantain chips that give me that salty crunch I need. Farmer's markets in the spring/summer for things like strawberries and corn. I avoid Walmart like the plague (and their prices aren't always better than Target).
  • Jade0529
    Jade0529 Posts: 213 Member
    I wish the Targets in Canada were good. I was so excited when they came here but they suck so badly!
  • jenns1964
    jenns1964 Posts: 384 Member
    H-E-B! It has great everything, pretty much. A good selection of fresh produce and organic items. About on par with Walmart in terms of price. A lot times their house brand of things is just as good as name brand. We have a few Whole Foods and Trader Joes, but they are always so so packed, it really doesn't make for an enjoyable experience. For time, money, and overall experience, I'll take H-E-B!

    I shop H-E-B too . I'm from California originally which has astronomical prices for everything. So when I moved to Pflugerville I was elated to see such reasonable grocery prices.
  • aeb09
    aeb09 Posts: 424 Member
    I shop at Whole Foods now. I did shop at Shop Rite until I decided to change my life. It is more expensive, but honestly I'm buying much higher quality items and eating so much better and really only spending about $25/week more. That is a lot of money, don't get me wrong, but health is priceless and I'm willing to do it.
  • zillah73
    zillah73 Posts: 505 Member
    I shop at Whole Foods – I know the store, where everything is and that I can find everything I need. I only shop for myself and only buy exactly what I need so I can keep my grocery bills to $50-60/week. Best of all... no gigantic plastic shopping carts shaped like toy cars for kids. I hate those things!
  • turniprose
    turniprose Posts: 11
    I do my main grocery shopping at Vons where I buy items to stock up the pantry or what not. Once or twice a month I go to Costco to buy a giant bag of vegetables (love those asparagus!), fish and chicken. In between I also shop at Trader Joe's.

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