Big Lots
- Search grocery idles for organic cereal, granola bars and more.
- Items being sold usually have expiration dates in the upcoming weeks or months.
- Big Lots does NOT accept coupons.
- Sign up for the Buzz to get occasional 10% off (or more) store coupons via email.
Dollar Tree
- Look in the freezer section for fruit or potatoes. (I was not pleased with one of the frozen fruits I purchased, so I recommend buying a bag to use prior to stocking up on frozen items.)
- Check grocery idles for organic raisins, apple sauce, granola bars and more.
- Inventory is not consistent, however it's worth your time to glance in the grocery idle, just in case there is something you can use because the price is so low.
- Check expiration dates, which may been in a few weeks or months.
- Dollar Tree does NOT accept coupons.
Food Lion
- Although Food Lion has organic canned goods and produce, I have not been impressed by the selection nor the cost.
- Produce is mostly on Styrofoam trays covered in plastic wrap and runs more higher in price than other retailers.
- Food Lion stores in vacation destinations often have a larger Natural and Organic section. Prices may be higher though.
Good Foods
- As you enter the store, check for coupon booklets.
- Before recycling your Reach Magazine, look for an ad for Gayton Crossing. Occasionally this will include a $5/$25 Good Food's Grocery coupon.
- The Entertainment Book has included a Good Foods $X/$Y coupon some years. Use either of these coupons for items your family needs.
- Look on end caps in store for clearance items.
- Bulk items may be less expensive than those already in boxes. These are also helpful if a recipe calls for a small amount of a single item your family rarely uses.
- View the ad @ http://www.goodfoodsgrocery.com/.
Ellwood Thompson's
Because this retailer is located in Carytown, I rarely shop here. In my few trips to this store I discovered:
- Ellwood Thomson's has a big variety of foods, including Gluten Free.
- Bulk items are available, which is helpful if you need a cup of something for a recipe or if you are unsure your family will like a particular grain, nut, etc.
- Homeopathic medicines are available, as well as informative books. None seemed to be offered at a low price.
- Sale priced items are offered throughout the store, but these may still be higher that competitor's prices.
- Sign-up to view flyer's online @ http://ellwoodthompsons.com/
- If you are following a specific diet and cannot locate an item, check this retailer.
- Look for great deals clearance items. Thanks Candy J!
- Ellwood Thompson's doubles coupons up to $.75 on Tuesday ONLY. (Coupons over $.75 will be redeemed at face value PLUS $.75!) Thanks Candy J!
- Earn store credit of $.10 for each reusable bag. Thanks Candy J!
Kroger
- Inventory varies depending on the location.
- Watch sales flyer's for discounts on produce (apples for $1#, Potatoes 3# $1.99....) and milk ($2.50 per 1/2 gallon). Stock up during these sales.
- Occasionally you may get a $X/$Y coupon in your mailbox. Use these to stock up on organic or natural products rather than regular grocery items.
- Kroger has also begun to include natural items in it's Buy 10, Save $5 and similar offers. Recently Kashi Pizzas were included, another sale included Annies Homegrown.
- Kroger doubles coupons, often yielding in free single serve granola bars w/Internet Printable coupons.
- On Tuesdays, Kroger offers 5% discount to seniors.
- Take reusable bags to the store for $.05 per bag used discount.
Martin's
- Inventory varies from one location to the next.
- Compare prices for specific items to Kroger's prices, because each offers lower prices on some items and higher prices on others.
- Look on the counter in stores with an entire Natural and Organic section for informative booklets. Coupons are often included.
- Occasionally, you may receive $X/$Y coupons in your mailbox. Use these to stock-up on the items your family needs.
- Comb natural or organic meat section for 33% off stickers (use or freeze immediately). Also, note the expiration date on products you use, check back for discounts on or around this date.
- Martin's offers a store brand of Organic and Natural products called Nature's Promise. Prices are normally lower on these items (canned beans $1, boxed pasta $1.25...)
- Watch sales flyer's for Super Double Coupons. Use organic coupons you have collected. Coupons for $1 become worth $2. (Note: this deal normally excludes Internet Printable Coupons.)
Ollie's Outlet
- Although inventory changes rapidly, I recommend stopping in Ollie's Outlet if you are in the area. I have found organic cereal, snacks and dry goods for a fraction of the normal retail price.
- Ollie's does NOT take coupons, however they offer discounts if you sign-up to be in "Ollie's Army". Occasionally you will receive a 10% off coupon which could allow you to save even more.
Sam's Club
- Check out the produce section for great deals on lettuce, spinach and carrots. (Baby, peeled carrots are a little more than $6 for a 5# bag. Cook, drain, puree and freeze in ice cube trays if this bag is too large for your family. When frozen, remove from trays and store in freezer bags. Pop these into soup or sauces for added nutrients.)
- Organic milk is available, however it is overpriced.
- Look in freezer idles for corn and green beans.
- Natural and "no hormones added" meats are available. I have not seen organic meats.
- Search in the deli section for sliced lunch meat. Boars Head may be available.
- Sam's Club also has the best price on Little Critters Gummy Vites (Children's vitamins).
Target
- Watch Target flyer's for Buy XYZ, get Target Gift Card offers. Occasionally these include Kashi, Burt's Bees or other organic brands.
- Go to www.target.com/coupons for printable store coupons. Combine these with manufacturer's coupons for bigger savings.
- Use your Target Red Card for 5% back.
- Take reusable bags to the store for $.05 per bag discount.
- Check clearance end caps (around edge of store) for items you family can use.
- Look for Target's store brand Archer Farms for less-expensive alternatives to other natural brands. (At times coupons are available for these products @ www.target.com/coupons )
Tom Leonard's
- Although Tom Leonard's used to carry organic apples at a super low price, there was too little of a demand these so they no longer stock this item.
- This retailer often has good deals on a variety of produce and meats, however the selection of organic items is low.
- Avoid the natural chips, salsas and such because these are over-priced.
Trader Joe's
- Stop into Trader Joe's for good deals on select frozen foods.
- Note: some organic produce is sold per item, not per pound, so it is difficult to compare prices to other retailers.
- There is a limited selection of "Gluten Free" items at this store.
Whole Foods
- When it comes to variety of natural and organic foods, Whole Foods carries the largest selection.
- This retailer also offers a great buffet of acceptable foods, however the price is high.
- Go to Customer Service to locate coupon booklets.
- Use this retailer to find foods you cannot locate at other retailers. Be sure to compare prices to those of other stores for items available elsewhere.
