Anyone else super frustrated with their local grocery store?
It's bad enough that their selection of processed junk takes up 85% of their food space, while their natural/organic foods are designated to teeny tiny little sections, but now the few items I did like to buy there are quickly disappearing.
With the real food trend being such a growing movement, why would they be getting rid of this stuff instead of getting more of it? It's not like they didn't sell, because I'd often have a hard time finding anything but a bare shelf in those spots!
And in case you're wondering, yes, I'd rather support my local health food stores more instead of the big grocery stores anyway, but there are two problems…
They're generally more expensive, and also we don't have any that are close enough to be convenient for us.
I do still make the drive now and then to stock up on quite a few items there, but our local grocery was quick and generally less pricey for certain things.
I spoke with the store manager, by the way, and not just once, but twice. The second time she assured me that she had passed along my frustrations, but that the wheels around there move painfully slow.
Oh well, by the time they figure it all out, I'll have found better places to do my shopping.
Either making the drive to the local health food stores (and biting the bullet on the prices), or I'll get more and more at Amazon and through the buying club…
- Recently they got rid of my beloved soap, so I found it on Amazon: Kirk's Castile. Once I get hooked on something, I'm pretty much a lifetime customer. Our friends (thanks Bob & Sonia!) hooked me onto this product that's made with coconut oil, pronounceable ingredients, and it's cheap, too. And then Meijer got rid of it.
- They also got rid of their organic pizzas – not a health food by any means, but a nice easy compromise for the kids when we go out, because at least all the really bad stuff isn't in there. I should be making more homemade pizzas to keep in the freezer anyway I guess… (Also, these personal size pizzas are really easy and super fast, too.)
- They got rid of the only whole milk yogurt they had, which my kids loved. So now I'll get that at our health food store or through the buying club. I've tried making it, but all I've been successful at is yummy yogurt cheese (great in stuffed shells!), which leaves whey that I can use for recipes (here's what you can do with whey – it's so good for you!). And here are more recipes for how to use this homemade yogurt cheese.
- I do have to note, though, that their produce selection is pretty good, with a nice showing of organic options most of the time. I try to buy from farmers markets in season, but in the winter in Michigan, this is a good compromise option.
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As a side note for those watching the budget (not food related), greeting cards are expensive everywhere, but recently I've been buying them in bulk on Amazon and they're so much cheaper, and really cute, too! I tried to find the best deals and stock up, so I got this assortment and this one, too. MUCH cheaper than buying them at any store!
There are a few items I'll still get at our local grocery store (a small number of things like organic tomato sauce, organic jam, etc., but mostly non-food items and organic produce in the winter), but the list is getting smaller all the time, so as I said, they're shooting themselves in the foot. We don't have a Whole Foods Market or Trader Joe's in this area, so if they started carrying a whole department full of real food (or at least organic) options, they could be known as ‘the place to go' for affordable food that doesn't have the junk that most of the stuff on the shelves does. But it doesn't look like they ‘get it'. Too bad.
Anyone else frustrated about this?!
Here's a little video rant I made, just because it made me feel better…
And by the way, I mention ‘natural flavors' in the video, here's why artificial and natural flavors scare me (the line is very narrow between what's ‘natural' and what's ‘artificial'): The Dark Disgusting Secrets of the Flavor Makers.
Angie says
I used to like Meijer because of their wide range of Organic foods they used to have. Now I have noticed it that they are gradually getting rid of more and more of their organic foods, they used to have a huge selection of meijer organic cereals, now when you go there all you can find is the cascadian farms organic cereals. Also I used to buy their organic Ice cream, but they do not sell any organic ice cream anymore. It seems like every time I go there they have less and less organic foods. Which is weird, because Organic foods is in high demand. So if they want business, they need to sell what is in high demand.
joleigh says
Our local chain quit carrying Redmond’s Sea Salt (darned if I can remember which blog turned me onto that brand) and of course I was down to the last few grains in the bottle. I was literally paralyzed for days waiting for my Amazon order to come in. Of course I can’t get the same thing I got before without buying in bulk and spending a big ol’ whop on one item. I’m sure it’d pan out in the end, but the last thing I need is one more thing to move out of the way in my lil’ bitty ol’ freezer chest:P
I need to get better about ordering on Amazon. I’m trying to start out small, say one order every 2-3 weeks. Any recommendations on vanilla, cocoa powder (for homemade choc. syrup) and choc. chips I can order online? Just now realizing that the imitation stuff I use EVERY DAY on my soaked oatmeal has coloring in it. Still lots to learn.
KitchenKop says
Hi Jo!
Amazon has a lot of that stuff in organics! Like here are some: https://amzn.to/ZWuyQV
I love this option. 🙂
Kelly
Allison St. Claire says
A resource for you in Michigan.
I am homebound and have to rely on home deliveries. The one Denver-area grocery chain that delivers to my neighborhood is considered a “value” store which means the equivalent of WalMart as far as very limited organics, only factory farm meats, and farmed fish – you can guess the worst and will be right. Yuck. I kept moaning: if only Whole Foods would have home delivery.
For 10 years I was a huge enthusiast of a local CSA, albeit for only 36 months out of the year and a limited — but definitely healthy and delicious — veggie selection. New farmers took it over and changed some of the farming practices, and the community changed its focus and membership. This winter I was so hungry for good food, I tried out Door to Door Organics here in Colorado — which also operates in Michigan. Seeing Grand Rapids in many of your comments, I put in zip code 49501 and it is available there.
I have become a raving fan! Terrific food all year ‘round, no upfront commitments, fantastic customer service, and a huge selection of organic and mostly non-GMO fruits, veggies, dairy, meat, condiments, baby food, bakery… It’s like a small Whole Foods at your doorstep with a smile.
At first I felt guilty not supporting a single local farm, but during the growing season, Door to Door has a box you can get that is all local. And there is a local category where I get salsas and meat and fresh roasted coffee and a lot more. You can also specify stuff you never want to appear in your box and it will never ever show up on your weekly (or in my case biweekly in off-season) order: my no-no’s are fennel, okra and horseradish root. And to top it off, you can sub out five items in your order if you’re overstocked or don’t want that item right now.
I have no personal stake in promoting this group, except to wish them all the best success and growth so our combined voices and choices will help influence the growth and consumption of real food everywhere. Full disclosure, I think we get some small credit toward veggies – and you get half off your first box order – if I suggest they send an invitation to you to check them out. Or simply do it for yourself: http://www.doortodoororganics.com. If you want to have me send you an invite, you can email me off-list with your email address so it doesn’t become public. (I’ll erase it immediately from my files. I’m at [email protected])
Bon appetit, slow, local real foodies.
KitchenKop says
Great scoop, Allison, I’ll check into it, thanks!! 🙂
Kel
Erin says
Meijer has become a maybe once a month trip for us. In the GR area, Horrocks has become our supplemental shop of choice. I love their bulk session of nuts, dried fruits, seeds, etc. Produce is usually a good price, local when they can. They have some good options for meat, though it is pricey (we buy ours from the farm directly anyway). I have been going there for years but has noticed more and more as I am aware where my food comes from that they have always tried to give those good options. We are there usually a couple of times a week!
KitchenKop says
Where are they located? I never knew we had one here!
Kelly
Erin says
Horrock’s is at 44th and Breton, which I realize is still quite a ways from you, but if you are in the area, it is worth a stop!
Cherie says
Kelly,
I think it would be awesome if you could do an “Azure Standard recipes and shopping list” 🙂 Sorry for suggesting more work, but oh how I would love a blog, website, or even a downloadable book to purchase, that would help me select and cook with Azure Standard ingredients. I love AS and I order regularly but I am such a recipe/instruction follower when it comes to cooking. When it comes time to order every month, I have a hard time selecting what I will use, so I end up with smaller orders.
KitchenKop says
Hey, good idea! Maybe I’ll start by gathering info via Facebook on what people buy through them…
Cherie says
Ok, I’ll keep an eye out on facebook and add what I am buying also.
Liz says
We use Kirk’s Castile Soap too but I get it at vitacost.com. 3 bars for $3.00. Significantly better than Amazon. Check it out.
I also order all my gluten free pasta through them, as it is far cheaper than any store in my area.
Karen Ferguson says
I was just complaining the other day about the yogurt, too!! Von’s said they were out and would get some more. So they have a new brand, brown & white container…sheesh. Stoneyfield and Strauss or good and so is TJoe’s house brand, alasy you don’t have a TJ’s there. Write Dan Bane and ask for a store…He’s a real decent chap and return a note back to me. I posted him a postcard and said “thanks for the great cheeses…please don’t go low fat. Whole Foods is pushing “low fat” and vegan enough.”
Just my 2 cents. I no longer shop at WF, but I found a store that I can get a day pass to that sells only to restaurants. It’s decent but the amounts are huge..so I little but I like it.
Thanks Kel, I’m glad you “ranted” for me. I was in Jamaica, north of Kingston, in Port Antonio, and we are shipping all of our crappy snacks there as well: they have plenty of their own local brands. It’s cheap, but not filling. Poverty hurts. Broke my heart. They even have a KFC and their specialty is jerk chicken which is fabulous. Go figure.
Julie says
Just went to Costco today and coconut sugar was on my list. I couldn’t find it anymore. Another customer said she was looking for it too. Sadly, they’ve discontinued it.
Becky D says
I’m pretty sure the Costco by me has never had coconut sugar. We JUST got coconut oil this year, and I REALLY hope that continues!
Stacey says
Well, I have no option anywhere of good butter or milk. It’s all just regular stuff, though at least in Canada we don’t have growth hormones in the milk. I wish I could get Kerrygold butter!
Jana says
Are you anywhere near the border? If so, you can easily get Kerrygold butter down south and bring it back across (there are limits but with enough people going you can bring back a lot). That’s what we do, but we’re very near the border so it’s not a long trip for us. Another option might be Organic Meadows, a Canadian brand that is available nationwide and is at least partly grassfed.
Stacey says
Yes, actually I do live close to the border. Which Province do you live in?
Jana says
I’m in BC. Whereabouts are you?
Stacey says
Manitoba. Hopefully my husband and I can make a trip south soon! Hard to do with a newborn.
Jana says
I can imagine! Hopefully when you do go, you can stock up and really make it count. We actually don’t go that often ourselves, since it is a bit of a hassle any way you look at it. Have you looked into seeing if the Organic Meadows brand is available where you are? I know they are based in ON but we can get it all the way out here. It’s a bit spendy but seems to be good butter.
Stacey says
Yes, actually one of the farms that sells to Organic Meadow is local to me. I just don’t know if they sell the butter here. We have the milk and Kefir for sure.
Jana says
Oh wow that’s great! Hopefully you can find the butter too!
Becky D says
I’ve been frustrated lately too with Meijers, mostly because the organics & naturals seem to be out of stock on a regular basis. But as far as the yogurt, I’ve been able to get Oikos full fat greek yogurt, and Stoneyfield Farms full fat plain & vanilla in the large containers – saw it as recently as Monday of this week. (In the GR area)
However, now that Azure Standard has a drop site in GR, I will be ordering much of what I can’t get locally from them. Pastured, Cultured Butter (from California, so not local, but closer than Ireland!) for $3.75 lb, and I compared it side by side with Kerrygold and the Rumiano was a much deeper yellow color. It’s so good I’ve been eating off a spoon! Strauss Farm Yogurt at amazing prices too. Azure Standard is AMAZING, and I’m so excited that it’s now an option for those of us in W. Mich!
KitchenKop says
The bummer, though, is that it’s still about a 40 minute drive for me from Rockford to the drop location… 🙁
Also, somewhere the other day I heard that food inspections are super spotty, *especially* food from overseas. It made me wonder, “How do we really know for sure that Kerrygold is truly pastured and that they’re not just putting yellow coloring in it…?” I sure hope not, but how do we know?!
I may have to make that Azure drive after all to get the pastured butter you mentioned for CA – what is the brand?
Thanks!
Kel
KitchenKop says
Oh, I see it now: Rumiano, same as the cheese people? I love them!
Becky D says
I’ve wondered the same thing about Kerrygold butter… 🙂 But yes – it’s the Rumiano Cheese people! They also have the cheeses at great prices too! And the butter is just divine. On the site, I don’t think it makes a big enough deal that the butter is pastured and cultured, but when I got mine it was on the label. I bought 3 lbs last time to try it because it was from Rumiano. This time I’m getting 10 lbs! Michigan is new territory for AS, so if there is enough interest they will make more drops. There is already one in Fennville, and I’ve heard there is one starting in Muskegon now too. I’m in Georgetown Township, so it’s quite a drive for me too for the drop location, but with the prices, it’s worth it! There is a facebook page with info on the drops, etc…if you want to join!
Becky D says
I should say one in Fennville & Muskegon, in addition to the one that’s SE GR area.
KitchenKop says
I can’t even find a mention at ALL of their butter on the Rumiano site?!
Sometimes “cultured” butter is a little sour, is this butter sweet or a bit sour?
Thanks!
Kel
KitchenKop says
And can you share a link to that FB page? I can’t find it. Thanks!
Becky D says
It’s not on Rumiano’s site! I looked there too, for more info on it, but it must be something that they only do for AS? I don’t know. That’s why I didn’t order much the first time. I didn’t even know it was cultured until I got my order. I ordered it going by what I know of Rumiano’s cheeses, and because it said on AS that it was pastured. It was a bonus to get the packages and see that not only is it pastured it’s also cultured! Here is the link to it on the AS site. https://www.azurestandard.com/shop/brand/307
Hope this helps!
Becky
Becky D says
Oh, and it’s not sour at all. It’s SO good – I seriously want to eat it off the spoon, and when I spread it on something, I lick my knife every. single. time. (because I don’t want to waste even a tiny bit of it!)
I made banana bread today, and watched my husband put chunks of butter on a slice. Not a spread of butter, but chunks! That’s how good it is!
KitchenKop says
Oh my gosh, you’ve SO got me willing to make the drive now, LOL! But can you send me the link to the FB site so I can keep up on when the drops are? Thanks!
Becky D says
Here is the link…I tried to just add you, but it won’t let me add you as a page – do you have an individual FB acct too? The next drop is June 4, but the cut-off date for placing your order is May 29. There is no fee to join, just need to have a $50 order. Ummm, that hasn’t been a problem for me. :}
https://www.facebook.com/groups/azurestandardgrandrapidsdrop/?ref=ts&fref=ts
KitchenKop says
@Becky, there’s something wrong with me – I looked on the FB page and can’t find wherever it was where you told me when the next order is due and when the drop comes!! And where is the whole schedule so I know for the future?
Thanks!
Kel
Becky D says
Hi Kelly – sorry, we were gone for the Holiday, and just now seeing this, but the cutoff date is May 29 at 4pm Central time. Drop date is June 4. Because we are a new drop site, the time is still iffy a bit (because they are still working out the travel time). The schedule can be found by hovering over “Ordering Info” and then on the drop down menu choosing “schedule of deliveries.” We aren’t listed on the delivery schedule yet…but this one is ours:
Q3 – KY+IN+OH
Cutoff Departure
Dec. 11, 2013, 4 p.m. Dec. 16, 2013
Nov. 13, 2013, 4 p.m. Nov. 18, 2013
Oct. 16, 2013, 4 p.m. Oct. 21, 2013
Sept. 18, 2013, 4 p.m. Sept. 23, 2013
Aug. 21, 2013, 4 p.m. Aug. 26, 2013
July 24, 2013, 4 p.m. July 29, 2013
June 26, 2013, 4 p.m. July 1, 2013
May 29, 2013, 4 p.m. June 3, 2013
KitchenKop says
OK I’m going to have to order next month for the first time, because I can’t get my poop in a group in time to get on it today!
Kel
Heather says
It might be 40 minutes…but it’s only a once a month trip! Azure rocks. That is all.
Try the crockpot method for making yogurt. That’s what I use and it seems to be pretty foolproof. My kitchen tends to be cool, so I wrap the crockpot in its towel like the recipe says and stick the whole works in a cooler overnight for extra insulation. I like it because it doesn’t need yet another gadget. Dollar Tree sometimes has Kirk’s Castille, too. I like Dr Bronner’s peppermint best for body soap (I buy by the gallon from Azure–a gallon lasts us about a year. I’ve been using it since I was a kid, and just don’t feel clean without!), but I use Kirk’s for making laundry soap–and for a substitute for Dr B’s, if we need one.