|
|
Hi everyone,
I'm moving down to South St. between 2nd & 3rd, and it seems like the only supermarket in the area I can walk to is Whole Foods. Great, now I'll lose weight because I won't be able to afford to eat! =)
For those of you who shop there, what do you buy? What brands do you consider staples? I will admit, for someone that's used to Trader Joe's, this is going to be a rough transition. Any pointers though would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Carolyn
I live on the Main Line and shop at Whole Foods in Strafford. I'm retired and living on a fixed income. I've found plenty of good buys there. I generally can't afford their meats and fish. I also don't bother with their other frozen foods, but I did notice some not so bad prices.
Here's a list of my favorites
365 store brand items - priced right and really good. Note: I buy no salt added products. Everything I mention also is sold with salt and that's even cheaper.
olive oil and canola oil - great price and quality
red wine vinegar
frozen flax seed waffles
fruit spread - so many different ones!
canned no salt added beans - really cheap compared to other brands
no salt added chicken broth - again, cheap and good
Tongol tuna no salt added
a variety of breakfast cereals
canned tomatoes
peanut butter
Bulk - some prices are better buys than others. The quality is excellent.
I buy brown basmati rice
red rice, and other specialty rices
quinoa
millet
whole wheat and whole oats
nuts
raisins
unsulphured apricots
Other brands
Green Mountain Gringo Salsas
Mother's rice cakes
Bob's Red Mill flaxseed meal
Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar
Produce
I find it generally too expensive, but if you look carefully you'll find bargains, and the quality is high. The variety is, of course, amazing. For better prices, take the bus down to the Reading Terminal Market.
Cheeses
They have a wonderful variety but expensive. If you want to splurge, it's really nice. My favorites are aged gouda, brie and soft goat cheeses. None of it is cheap.
Bakery
Everything there is wonderful and baked in store. I like the whole grain peasant/rustic loaves. The pita is good too. Prices, however are high.
Dairy - a very nice selection and priced right, except for a few specialty items. I like:
Fage yogurt
365 brand Organic milk
variety of tofu products
I hope you like it as much as I do! I also shop Trader Joe's and find that Whole Foods actually has better prices and quality on some things.
There's an Acme on 5th or 6th and i think spruce, i may be off one or two streets, but i suggest going there. I hate Whole foods (except their cakes! lol), i can't believe how overpriced it is, it's really insane. It's expensive enough in the city without having to deal with that luxury brussel sprout.
That's good to know -- there's a Super Fresh by 5th and Pine and I HATE it there. It's so small with limited selection. I live in the Headhouse Sqaure area, so I'm always looking for cheap markets in the area.
Thanks!
ok maybe that's the one i'm talking about lol. I thought it was an acme, but that sounds right. It's so weird i feel like there should be more in that area! There's always the Italian market! ;)
I've sat on google trying to find anywhere on my walk home from work (I'm at 6th & Race), and I've decided that people in Old City/Society Hill don't eat!
OMG there is NOTHING in that area lol. Is the terminal too far? I feel for ya! I used to live in west philly and drive to delaware county to do anything in the realm of groceries, malls, you name it.
I live on third and market, and I decided to join carshare. I usually go to whole foods and the superfresh across the street from there. You can park in their garages for free if you buy groceries there. I buy in bulk so I don't go as often, and but my fruits in various stages of ripeness, to try and limit waste. Good Luck!
3
