Grocery prices? (Wilmington, Smyrna, Odessa: home, hotel, vacation)

[TootsieWootsie]

Understand the price of food is higher in Delaware. Why is this????? It certainly isn't a lack of train service into the city or unusually high transportation costs. My gosh, Delaware is close to so many major metros around; so, this has really got me puzzling as to WHY food prices are so high there? Or are they price gouging because salaries are higher there?
Where do people in northern Delaware go to purchase their food cheaper? Walmart?
Do you have Costco there?
Are there farmer's markets somewhere in northern Delaware where farmers set up with fresh produce?
I did look up Trader Joe's, and Wilmington has one. Whole Foods I could not find, but probably have luck in DC or Philly with that.

[CMTAD]

It's actually all relative. From what we can tell, food looks to be about 5-10% lower than in New York ... and of course taxable items here will not be taxable in Delaware.

[from PA]

I wouldn't say food is more expensive here. I think that the price of oil has effected everything including groceries. Produce appears to be higher here than in PA but I had a great source there and never bought produce in the supermarket. So when I visit PA I stock up on my fruits and veggies. I do my staples at the Super-Walmart but I buy meats on sale at Safeway and Acme. I buy 2 liter coke when it's $1. The smaller local chains may be more expensive but I rarely shop in them.
At Safeway I do my shopping once or twice a month. There are just 2 of us. I generally save an average of 40% to 50% and when spending over $50 I get a .10 per gal discount on their gas. Not a bad deal for us. There is a Costco in Christiana. We also buy meats there and stock up on bulk items.

[Delly]

Originally Posted by TootsieWootsie

Understand the price of food is higher in Delaware. Why is this????? It certainly isn't a lack of train service into the city or unusually high transportation costs. My gosh, Delaware is close to so many major metros around; so, this has really got me puzzling as to WHY food prices are so high there? Or are they price gouging because salaries are higher there?
Where do people in northern Delaware go to purchase their food cheaper? Walmart?
Do you have Costco there?
Are there farmer's markets somewhere in northern Delaware where farmers set up with fresh produce?
I did look up Trader Joe's, and Wilmington has one. Whole Foods I could not find, but probably have luck in DC or Philly with that.

Hi Tootsie!
I have some suggestions for you:
1)Maybe you could live in Delaware, and shop for groceries and dine out in DC or Philly.
2)Maybe you could book a room for a week in a Delaware hotel and scout around.
Good Luck!

[CMTAD]

Originally Posted by Delly

Maybe you could book a room for a week in a Delaware hotel and scout around.

That's exactly how my wife and I did it and it was a great decision. We checked out our first three 55+ communities, the supermarkets, the streets, the local restaurants, the stores, the roads, the people, and lots more.

Aside from a nice little vacation, it was an extremely informative trip and helped us eliminate many other states that we were considering! In fact, if i remember correctly, after the trip to Delaware, we eliminated every else other than Delaware and Pennsylvania. We still had some interest in the State College area. As time went on, we eliminated "Happy Valley" too!

Charley

[Delly]

Originally Posted by CMTAD

That's exactly how my wife and I did it and it was a great decision. Charley

That's the way to do it, Charley!
One could ask a zillion questions....and many here are gracious enough to try and answer them.
But, with so many concerns.....the only way is to "come see".

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by CMTAD

That's exactly how my wife and I did it and it was a great decision. We checked out our first three 55+ communities, the supermarkets, the streets, the local restaurants, the stores, the roads, the people, and lots more.

Aside from a nice little vacation, it was an extremely informative trip and helped us eliminate many other states that we were considering! In fact, if i remember correctly, after the trip to Delaware, we eliminated every else other than Delaware and Pennsylvania. We still had some interest in the State College area. As time went on, we eliminated "Happy Valley" too!

Charley

Oh Charley.........they were fun days. Bill misses checking out communities.
We plan to visit Nobles Pond and longacres this week just for fun.

Now food! I'm the one that mentioned about food being higher. I'm sure it is relative as charley stated.
also the high prices of oil has driven up the prices all over.

But I still miss my stores in Philly and find even the produce is a tad higher.
Each tomato cost a few cents more, each pepper. all this surprised me cuz of all the farms.
Nevertheless, we survive and we are getting used to the stores.
I do what PA does......Walmart for staples, meats either acme or safeway or a meat maket called Haass, and I look for sales.
Further up on route 13, there was an amish girl selling her produce last year. I really enjoyed what she sold and will go looking for her again this year.

Oh.....one more thing. Last weekend, bill and I had to go back to philly. We stopped in my pathmark and chatted with familiar faces. They told us food is higher up there now too.
The rising prices of oil will have a domino effect. something definately needs to be done but it seems like no in our goverment is even trying.

[Delly]

For fresh produce, gifts, flowers, garden type things, you must visit Willeys Farm Market, if you haven't. It's On U.S.Route 13 North of Smyrna, North of Blackbird, but South of Odessa, in the north bound lane. We went up Saturday and got new potatoes, salad fixings, fresh pineapple, strawberries (not local), a wonderful custard pie, pansies, potting soil, and a sub to bring home for lunch. You might call a sub something else, like torpedos or ??? You will love that place! It's my favorite, of all favorites! They have organic foods, too, if you're looking for that, and other items similar to what Byler's Amish Store has.

[LaceyEx]

Food prices are escalating everywhere due to spike in oil prices. Just have to be smart shoppers.

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by Delly

For fresh produce, gifts, flowers, garden type things, you must visit Willeys Farm Market, if you haven't. It's On U.S.Route 13 North of Smyrna, North of Blackbird, but South of Odessa, in the north bound lane. We went up Saturday and got new potatoes, salad fixings, fresh pineapple, strawberries (not local), a wonderful custard pie, pansies, potting soil, and a sub to bring home for lunch. You might call a sub something else, like torpedos or ??? You will love that place! It's my favorite, of all favorites! They have organic foods, too, if you're looking for that, and other items similar to what Byler's Amish Store has.

No Delly, haven't been there but have heard of it. your description of the place is making my mouth water. We will be trying this very soon.