So, where do you shop for food?

[Firecracker]

So, after several looooong shopping trips (I'm the type that scrutinizes labels and the "per ounce" price) and receipt comparisons, I've discovered that surprisingly, health/specialty food stores like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods actually have better deals for me than most supermarkets. Anyone else found the same?

I realize that "health food" does not always mean SBD-friendly, but it is much easier to shop where there's less chance of tempting convenience foods (ie: Kraft Macaroni & Cheese) and low carb gimmicks flooding the shelves.

Where do you shop for food? With so many regions of the US (and abroad) represented on this board, I'm curious to see the results.

[Paris M]

Yep, I found the same when I put together my price book not too long ago. I do 90% of my shopping at Trader Joe's and Wild Oats.

[pouncer00]

I use the regular supermarket for water, spices, generally things that they can buy in bulk & pass on the savings real groceries come from Whole Foods - what surprised me was that the meat from WF ends up being cheaper for me as well, since their cuts are so much better, I don't eat as much in a serving/per week. Cereal comes from WalMart (I pay between $2 and $2.50 per box there, compared with $4-5 at the supermarkets! What type of money are they making off of cereal sales??)

[Yosh]

Plus the Whole Foods meats taste much better! Trader Joe's, whole foods are both my main grocery stores. Regular market for things I can't find there. But I rarely hit Vons or Albertsons anymore!

[canadianbeacher]

Sadly in Canada where I live there are no Whole Foods/Trader Joe type stores. My health food store is REALLY expensive, so I buy everywhere I can get deals! For example- Kashi Go Lean at health food- 6.99, bulk store- 4.99 and grocery store- 5.29. I actually shop at our bulk store, Wal-Mart, and 3 of the grocery stores in town- my husband laughs when he sees the food bills!

[CarolBurnett]

Trader Joe's is the best! It doesn't have as much selection or variety as Whole Foods, but it is so much cheaper, and their store label brands are excellent. I wish their store was closer to my house, <sigh>

[Burdle]

I do most of my grocery shopping at TJ's and a small local produce chain called Garden Fresh. I go to TJ's about once a week, and Garden Fresh twice a week for fresh produce. I buy very little at my local Safeway, but they do have a nice salad bar, and I hit that about 3 times a week for lunch. I go to Whole Foods abount once a month, I just buy rice cheese there. I buy a few food items at Wal-Mart, like dried lima beans and eggs. I buy dried navy beans at a local dollar store, 2 lbs./$1. I'm lucky, all these stores are within 15 minutes of my home, and there are 3 TJ's within 30 minutes of me.
Burdle

[LEM1955]

Most of my shopping is done in plain old supermarkets and relatively small ones. But these days, I stay almost completely on the perimeter of the store. I don't even go down the aisles most trips. I am aware that about 75% of the food in the supermarket is processed. The perimeter houses the fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and dairy. Everything else - pasta, sauces, condiments, cereal, cookies, canned goods, juice, soda, candy, fast meals, etc is in the aisles. I buy as much as I can at my food coop, but selection is usually narrow there, especially in winter.

[OldGreyBob]

Since I check labels and prices on all the foods that I buy, I find the local mega super-market to be the best on price and quality. In most cases the local mega super-market carries the same items of the same quality for 20% to 50% less. In some cases, such as unsweetened shredded coconut, only the meaga supermaket had it, the health food stores did not!

[LegalBeagle]

I do most of my shopping at the commissary on the Army base. I save a ton that way!!!

[Gabby]

I don't have a Trader Joe's or Whole Foods in my area so I am not familiar with them. I do most of my shopping at Aldi. Their produce prices just can't be beat. I usually go to a local butcher store for meats. They have pretty good sales each week. Items I can't find at Aldi's I get at Wal-Mart.

[Mercedes]

No Trader Joe's near me...wish there were....

I shop at the grocery store and at Sam's. I find that between the 2, they have everything I need.

[KathyG]

Usually I go to Albertson's since it's down the road from me. I love TJ's, but the aisle's are narrow, and my 2 year old has long arms.