5 Best Grocery Store Alternatives

As I write this, in June of 2022, inflation has hit a high of 8.5%. Everyone is seeing price increases from their daily coffee run to their electric bill.

Between COVID, supply chain issues, and rising transportation costs – we are all cringing more than a little bit as we swipe our credit cards at the grocery store. Even as a master couponer, I am feeling the pain as deals become fewer to find and harder to accomplish.

However, there are several other options outside of your traditional grocery store where you can stock up on food.

Here are 5 grocery store alternatives that I use on a weekly basis.

Grocery outlets

Grocery outlets (or discount grocery stores) are grocery stores that offer all their products at a discount. They do this by buying overstock or overproduced items from grocery distributors.

You have most likely heard of or seen some mainstream stores such as Aldi, Lidl , or Grocery Outlet Bargain Market (formally Amelia’s). However, there may be several other options available in your area. Where I live in Lancaster, PA, we have a ton.

The biggest benefit to buying from a grocery outlet is the reduced cost on everyday items, but it is important to keep in mind that certain items may be more expensive at a grocery outlet versus a traditional grocery store.

For example, olive oil may be a little bit more compared to the traditional grocery store brand but spices, meats, and dairy products are less expensive.

Your savings overall will easily make up the for the few extra cents for a single item.

Another way that these grocery outlets keep their prices low is ironically the same reason I’ve heard people say they stay away from them: they usually don’t carry name brand products.

For example, Aldi may not carry Swanson chicken broth or Nestle chocolate chips, but they still have both of those products with their own brand label. If you’re someone who is not brand specific or buys the store brand on your Giant/Target run anyway, take some time to check out the other “off brand” products at a grocery store outlet.

One downfall of grocery store outlets is that they don’t always have everything you’re looking for. They will have your staple items, such as meats, cheeses, spices, etc., but they may not stock some of the more unique items (example – rice wine vinegar or sesame oil). That is something to keep in mind when you’re shopping there. As you shop more often at a grocery store outlet, you will begin to learn what items they have and what you may have to go elsewhere for.

Farmer’s Markets / Produce stands

Another great place to look for food or necessities is a farmer’s market or produce stands.

I am very blessed to currently live and have grown up in a very agriculturally based area where farmer’s markets and produce stands are on every corner.

I’m sure when most people think of farmer’s markets and produce stands, they think of fruit and vegetables, but they can have so much more than that.

Here’s a short list of things I’ve bought from our local farmer’s market:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Meat
• A new belt
• Body soap
• Local honey
• Side dishes (potato salad, macaroni salad)
• Plants/herbs

Taking into consideration that some things may be more expensive when compared to traditional grocery stores, you have the added benefit of everything being local and handmade. You know where your food is coming from and will get much better quality.

It doesn’t get much fresher than the farmer handing you chicken breasts from the chicken they butchered yesterday.

Overall, I’ve found that shopping for items at our local farmer’s market has saved me money in the long run. The fruit and vegetables are always cheaper compared to a traditional grocery store.

If you’re unsure about where to find a farmer’s market or produce stand in your area, ask around. Everybody has a favorite they go to and usually can’t wait to tell you more!

Of course, there is always Google.

Join a CSA

CSA is short for Community Supported Agriculture. This is a program where you buy directly from a farm, or group of farms, and receive your food on a routine basis – usually weekly.

During a typical year, this is not a cheaper option because buying direct from the farmer or locally raised meat will typically cost more than buying from the grocery store. This is your chance to be frugal, not cheap.

I say “during a typical year” because we are not living in typical times. With the transportation costs of getting food to the grocery store, some of our local farm prices are actually better than buying from the grocery store.

If you have read any of my content, you know I am a massive advocate for shopping and supporting local. Buying local meats means that you aren’t supporting Tyson’s CEO, but you are supporting a local farmer who may be trying to pay for his kid’s soccer camp or keep his family’s land. That is easily worth the extra few dollars.

If you need to know where to find a CSA in your area, check out Local Harvest, enter your zip code, and find a list of local farms or CSA groups.

Grow or make it yourself.

Now is a perfect time to learn how to grow or make your own food.

I know what you’re thinking – “I don’t have land for a garden!” Well, that’s okay because you really don’t need one. There are several alternatives to a traditional garden, including an indoor herb garden to growing potted vegetables on your porch.

There is a certain satisfaction from cooking with food that you have grown yourself, including the fact that you know exactly where it came from.

There are unlimited resources to learning how to grow your own food. One of my personal favorite accounts to learn from is Creative Explained on Instagram. If you’re more visual and prefer a YouTube channel, check out Alex from Glam & Garden.

Get with friends

Another option is to talk to your friends and see if you can form some sort of community. Do you know someone with chickens that would be willing to sell you some eggs? Do you have a friend who has some land and would be willing to let you garden on it?

The other option is to do your own form of a CSA – a friend supported agriculture, if you will. One friend could grow peppers, one could grow potatoes, one can be the herb garden queen/king. By being part of a community, you lessen the burden on one person and spread the wealth and knowledge between everyone.

Did someone say garden club?

There are both positives and negatives to using grocery store alternatives.

Positives are that you can save money, learn a new skill, or support local farmers and growers. The negative is that it will require some additional time and effort to find what you are looking for.

Whether you want to save on cost or would rather support your local area a little more, these grocery store alternatives are guaranteed to accomplish your goal.

Happy saving everyone!