These Are the Best Deals at Whole Foods
Whole Foods was never known for its pricing – I suppose people choose a great range of cold-pressed juices and asparagus water – but after the Bezos takeover, prices of some products dropped quite sharply and they stayed down.
Welcome to Cheap Chow Week ! Food is now more expensive than it ever was, and it might seem like the only cost-effective options for you are fast food or instant ramen. But it doesn’t have to be that way. This week, we’ll show you how to buy, prepare, and eat food in a cost-effective way without sacrificing pleasure or taste.
Other commodities, such as frozen foods and snacks , have jumped in prices but are not worth buying. Instead, fill your list with these inexpensive foods. I compared these prices to those at Safeway, which until yesterday I considered my “cheap” grocery store. (Keep in mind that these prices were compiled in Portland, Oregon, and that prices will vary by location. Also, they do not include any sales, which can be very good as well.)
Cow’s and non-cow’s milk
A half gallon of organic valley milk will set you back $ 4.19, nearly two dollars less than I have to pay at my local Safeway store ($ 6.09). Pick a 365 store brand and the price drops to $ 3.49. For dairy products, you can get half a gallon of almond breeze for $ 3.49, compared to $ 4.29 at Safeway.
Yoghurts of all kinds
You can take servings of Siggi’s ($ 1.59), Fage ($ 1.39), Chobani ($ 1.19), Kite Hill Non-Dairy Products ($ 1.99), and So Delicious Coconut Yogurt (1. $ 79), which is pretty sweet when you compare it to the prices I found elsewhere ($ 1.99, $ 1.59, $ 1.49, $ 2.29, and $ 2.79, respectively).
This is good oil
A pound of organic oil can be bought for $ 4.49, and “regular” inorganic oil can be bought for a dollar less. At Safeway, a pound of organic brand costs an amazing $ 7.49 – three dollars more! – and a pound of Lucerne’s inorganic brand costs $ 4.59. For Kerry Gold fans – hello my people – you can get eight ounces of Irish butter for $ 3.99, which is much cheaper than what I found at Safeway ($ 5.29).
Eggs
Both large organic ($ 3.99 per dozen) and large A-grade brown eggs ($ 2.99 per dozen) can be found at Whole Foods for less than Safeway ($ 4.89 and $ 3.29, respectively).
Avocado
Perhaps if you buy your favorite toast filling for as little as $ 1.25 a cado (up from $ 2.29 at Safeway), maybe one day you can afford a home.
Fixin’s Peanut Butter & Jelly
PB&J is a classic cheap lunch, and Whole Foods makes it even cheaper. A pound of inorganic peanut butter in the store will cost you $ 2.49 ($ 3.29 at Safeway), while an organic product will cost you $ 3.99 ($ 5.99 at Safeway). For fruity spreads, 10 ounces of basic strawberries can be bought for $ 2.99 (up from the $ 4.39 Smuckers Simply Strawberry 10 ounces at Safeway), or you can get 17 ounces of organic produce for $ 3.99 (up from 11 ounces of organic food in the store). for $ 4.59 at Safeway).
Other miscellaneous 365 brand products
I didn’t have time to compare every single Whole Foods product to its Safeway counterpart, but I did have time to research every single product under the 365 brand, which far outstripped Safeway prices. Here are my favorites:
- English muffins: $ 1.99 for six muffins ($ 2.89 at Safeway)
- Burgers without meat: $ 3.99 for the four hamburger (5.19 dollars for four Boca burger at Safeway)
- Toning water: $ 2.99 for six 12-ounce cans ($ 6.89 for six 10-ounce Schweppes bottles at Safeway)
- Italian sparkling water: $ 1.39 per liter ($ 1.59 per liter of Arrowhead sparkling water at Safeway).
- Organic Ground Beef: $ 6.99 a pound ($ 9.19 a pound at Safeway)
- Pumpkin puree: $ 1.29 for 15 ounces ($ 3.49 for 15 ounces of canned Libby pumpkin at Safeway)
- Graham’s organic crackers: $ 3.49 for 14.4 ounces ($ 4.09 for 14.4 ounces of branded crackers at Safeway)
- Applesauce: $ 2.79 for 24 ounces ($ 2.99 for 23.5 ounces at Safeway)
- Pasta Sauce: $ 1.99 for 25 ounces of various flavors, including fried garlic ($ 2.79 for 25 ounces at Safeway)
In addition to all these day to day bargains, don’t forget to sleep at Whole Foods sales, especially the cheese counter. I’ve seen some fancy five dollar cheeses at the price per pound, which, combined with the discounted bottle of wine, is well worth the trip in and of itself.