This question was submitted by one of our readers.
Where do you grocery shop and why?
Do you participate in a co-op or produce delivery program?
Do you shop conventional or organic?
-Sally
Feel free to submit question ideas by commenting below! We love knowing what our readers want to talk about!
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February 23, 2010 at 6:35 pm
I live in a town of 25,000 people. We don’t have the greatest variety of grocery stores. We have a Safeway, Thriftway and a Fred Meyer. I hear a lot of people shop Winco to save money but it’s just not convenient for me, so I don’t know that it’s worth it.
When I get paid, I typically go to Trader Joe’s first. I think it takes me a half hour to get there. I find that their prices are fabulous for the quality of food (a lot of organic options too)! And the packaging is pretty, which just makes me smile.
From there I go to Fred Meyer to get the items I couldn’t get at Trader Joe’s. I always make sure I have my coupon binder with me and I try to stack coupons anywhere I can and watch for great deals via blogs. I could do much much better in this area.
I WANT to shop 100% organic, but I find that by the time I get to the end of the pay period, we are out of grocery cash and I have to make due with what I can find. I’m also trying to get away from processed food, which does save me some money. I’m not buying as many crackers and granola bars and trying to learn how to make my own.
I am planning on participating in Mustard Seed Farms this summer. http://mustardseedorganic.com/garden.php It’s a unique program where you work for your food and pay a small fee. In return you get fruits and vegetable for your family. I also love that it’s organic.
I’m looking forward to reading what everyone else has to say and hope this helps answer our readers question!
February 23, 2010 at 10:23 pm
I live in a little town where our grocery store option is Safeway or nothin’. I could drive out to Waremart (a podunk version of Winco), but I do so well stockpiling at Safeway that it’s not worth it to me. If I didn’t coupon, I would definitely go to Winco.
I grow my own veggies in the summertime! I buy frozen or canned for the rest of the year.
I have not been convinced that organic is worth the price. I’d love to hear why people shop organic!
February 23, 2010 at 11:38 pm
I’m lucky to have all my favorite stores 5 minutes away! So I shop at several stores, specially since I started couponing: )
Target
Trader Joes – Love their prices
New seasons- produce and milk.
Safeway
Albertsons
Walgreens- Only when I get great deals
Rite Aid – Only when I get great deals
Fred M- Only when I get great deals
Costco- Meats
My main purchases are: Meat, milk, yogurt, bread and produce. I try to stay away from cookies, chips, juices, frozen items. I really like cooking so I like to buy good quality meats and produce. I try to buy organic as much as possible, but my main focus is not to purchase junk food. I figured it doesn’t matter how much “organic” food I purchase if I’m still eating a ton of sugar and junk food. Why eat an organic cookie when I can have a fresh piece of fruit: )
February 24, 2010 at 2:17 am
I mainly go between Winco and Safeway. Winco is in the town I work in so I go on my way home without kids. I just found out they are taking internet coupons so it makes it even better to shop there. I shop at Safeway if there are a lot of good coupons or Fred Meyer for their items that are on sale.
I like the idea of Trader Joes but unfortunately it is not friendly to peanut allergies so can’t go there. I don’t really buy organic, not sure it is worth it to me at this point but maybe someday.
We joined a CSA last summer and plan on doing it again. It was a great way to get fresh fruits and veggies and we found one that doesn’t give us stuff we wouldn’t use. I plan on buying a grass fed 1/2 cow as soon as I can get that done and in the summer we will stock up on fruits and veggies that we can freeze and use all year (peaches, berries, green beans, etc). My goal is to get more away from processed foods but haven’t found that balance yet.
February 24, 2010 at 5:56 pm
I’ve tried all the stores in Newberg when we first moved here and I like Fred Meyer best. They have introduced some brands that may not look pretty on the outside but are budget friendly and taste just as good. Also, if you take the time to click their coupons you can save some money, just saved $12 on Monday and it only took me about 20 minutes. I used to buy a lot of organic and earth friendly products, but this wonderful economy forces me to stop for now. I do insist on buying organic milk. Sometimes I go to Costco but typically just get meat. This summer I REALLY want to planet our our veggies, just have to get the hubby to build the planter boxes!
February 24, 2010 at 5:57 pm
Ah, I meant CLIP not CLICK, but that works too!!
February 24, 2010 at 5:58 pm
I’m a winner this morning! I guess I’m going to PLANET my veggies this summer, not PLANT them!! This is what happens when you are distracted by a two-year-old!
February 24, 2010 at 6:37 pm
This has been changing for me lately. I mostly shop at Smith’s which is Kroger’s or Fred Meyer (but only grocery), because they have good prices on their brands. Now, I’m trying to stop at Trader Joe’s first for a few things. And if I have time, a local health food store has local farm eggs, raw cheese and some other things–if I can afford them! I’m trying to be frugal, but I also want to buy nourishing food for my family. I’m buying less and less processed food. I would love to buy grass fed beef, free-range chicken, organic fruits and veggies, but the prices make it impossible right now. I stopped buying organic milk because of the price; and anyway I’m just finding out how pasturization destroys lots of the goodness in milk anyway…so why pay more for it? And now, I’m spending extra on butter from grass-fed cows and free-range eggs. I want to grow more of our own fruits and veggies and join a CSA this summer. We are contemplating getting our own chickens for eggs, and someday goats for milk!
February 25, 2010 at 12:31 am
We shop mainly at Costco, Fred’s and Trader Joes. I miss having all of these places 5 minutes from my house but it’s forced me to be more organized with what I buy. We try to do only organic dairy and meat. I also buy organic produce when I can.
One of my good friends is researching the GMO’s added to foods which are subsidized by the govt. She knows a lot about nutrition and has kept me in the loop. It scares me but I am not ready to tackle the “organic” thing until our 3rd baby is born. I have warned my husband we are going to read “Omnivore’s Dilemma” by Michael Pollan and watch “Food Inc” together, I am sure he is really looking forward to it! I hope to glean as much from my friend’s research as I can!
February 25, 2010 at 6:17 am
The stores that are near me are Fred Meyer, Safeway, Winco, Alberston’s, Rosauers, and Costo. I will generally do most of my shopping at Freddy’s and go to Costco about once a month for meat. I really wish we had a Trader Joe’s here! I like to buy as much organic as possible but it depends on the price. I will always buy organic milk. I try to stay away from processed foods try to buy as much fresh fruits and vegetables as possible.
I’m not aware of any produce co-ops in my area but I do frequent farmer’s markets during the summer. I was able to can peaches and applesauce last year which has been wonderful this winter. I plan on canning more this coming summer.