This post is part of a little series on how our family grocery shops. I am always fascinated by how and where moms shop for their families and thought that it might help someone out there to know how we do it. Either that or it will just be an interesting anthropological sort of study for you. But first, some facts about our philosophy and budget to set the context:
Food philosophy- We try to shop and eat at the intersection of nutritional value and affordability. While we do not buy organic most of the time, we purchase the highest quality produce, meat and dairy that we can afford. We basically shop the periphery of the grocery store (produce, meat, fish, dairy) and avoid the middle (snacks, prepackaged foods, boxed baked goods) with the exception of flours, sugars, vinegars, oils, grains and canned beans, tomatoes and other veggies.
Monthly food budget: $600. This may seem really high to some and about right to others, but we have found that $150 per week gives us room not only to feed ourselves but have family over for dinner, make extra meals to freeze ahead and buy the occasional convenience foods to save time. We rarely eat out these days--once or twice per month and it is usually Panera after church or pizza on a busy Friday night.
What we eat: I cook three big meals each week and let them carry us through for lunches throughout the work week. Two nights a week we go meatless to save money, for health and also because we have built a great stash of recipes that are vegetarian yet completely yummy and satisfying. Soup and pasta usually make it into the rotation on a weekly basis.
Where we shop: Stop & Shop (regional "big box" grocery store), Trader Joe's, Whole Foods and Costco
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Whole Foods is kind of like Disney World. The colors, the lighting, the smiley staff, the sample stations, the cashier who chats it up with Eleanor and tells me how they love a particular item that I've purchased --all of these details work together to create Shangri-La for my senses. I realize that Whole Foods carries with it the stigma of being senselessly expensive. But I'm like a moth to flame, people. The rows of lush greens... The coordinated arrangement of bell peppers... The aisles amply filled with locally milled soaps and "artisanal" everything... Sirens. Sirens calling my wallet's name to the rocky shores of budget obliteration.
I have found, however, that if one shops carefully you can buy superior products at Whole Foods and, in many cases, pay less than you would at Stop & Shop. Here's how we shop at Whole Foods (WF):
Buy WF greens (kale, chard, parsley, lettuce), carrots and celery. The bunches are way bigger and they are of the quality that just lasts longer.
Shop in the bulk section. Dried beans, grains, granola and nuts are much less expensive in bulk at WF than prepackaged in the aisles. Just remember to distinguish between organic and non-organic bulk items as the cost difference can be trememendous.
Buy the WF store brand (365). To name just a few items I've found to be less expensive and of higher quality than at any other store: organic milk, organic yogurt, pasta (common shapes are 99 cents per package), boxed mac and cheese- similar to Annie's (also 99 cents), hummus (less expensive than Tribe, Sabra, Cedar's, etc. and way tastier), and natural peanut butter.
Stay away from the colorful, adorable packaging. There is just something about the packaging of products at WF. It makes the food look like it is going to taste better. That chocolate bar in wrapped in hand-printed paper? It just feels better going down than a Hershey bar. That Happy Tot baby food? It will make your kid a genuis. It also just costs a ton.
Use the flyer. I shop with the WF flyer in my hand and will often plan meals around what is on sale. I also print out the coupons that are offered at the WF website.
Buy brand name items at another store. I have found that Barbara's cereal at WF is more expensive than the very same cereal at Stop and Shop. The same with Chobani yogurt and some pasta sauces.
Ocassionally splurge to make a special meal. The meat and fish are so delicious, but they are also significantly more expensive than at any other store. If I want to treat our family to a special weekend meal, however, I will spend the money on a good cut of meat or filet of fish. Ultimately, I have found it to be more satisfying, healthy and cost effective than eating out.
Well, that was fun. And really, really long. Thanks for reading!
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