Best bang for your buck grocery store? (St. Louis, Chesterfield: live, prices)

[momgag]

It was just 2 years ago. When I moved here, it was 99 cents/pound around every summer holiday (Memorial Day, Labor Day, Fourth of July). The price at that time at Schnucks was around $6/pound. Seriously I had sticker shock over meat prices here...thought I might have to become a vegetarian.

[JetAgeHobo]

We so Aldi for general food, and the two Asian markets on Olive street just east of I-170 or the market on South grand for Veggies. Shop only Deirbergs or Schnucks when absolutely necessary, and never Wally world. For 2 people eating mostly fresh food and veggies/meats, our grocery bills rarely go over $70/week, if that. And we eat well, not beanie weenies.

[Chadro77]

Originally Posted by billiken

Are we really wanting Kroger in STL? Schnucks & Dierbergs are both locally owned and the quality of the produce/meat far supasses the crap you get at the big national supermarkets. I am less price sensitive when it comes to groceries, but those who are all about price will end up at Walmart anyways. I used to live in Rock Hill and I love the Dierbergs in Warson Woods

Agreed, Schnucks and Dierbergs are great. I lived and Georgia and had Kroger and Publix, neither were anywhere near the quality of our local stores.

[looking9]

I see there is a food co-op on Cherokee St. In theory the food should be cheaper there. Is it well run?

[Provelkative]

I'm originally from Troy and there's a Kroger there. Nothing special about it. The prices are about the same everywhere I've been around here, give or take. I go to the Soulard Farmer's Market every Saturday morning and stock up for the week and really only buy odds and ends at Schnuck's or whatever is closest. The Farmer's Market is generally much, much cheaper than normal stores and the quality is higher. If you want to talk about competition well you have about 50 groups with little to no overhead cost all competing for your business under one roof. It's not always the most convenient place, but you asked for cheap.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by looking9

I see there is a food co-op on Cherokee St. In theory the food should be cheaper there. Is it well run?

In theory, I would agree. However, what I find is that most co-ops try to cater to every member's whims and that drives up costs.

_____________________

As for Soulard, you have to be careful about what you buy. A good portion of the produce is surpplus from the wholesalers in the area. Personally, that does not bother me as the prices generally reflect that. That is OK as long as you plan to use it in three or four days.

[looking9]

Does any one know, for example, is the produce at the co-op cheaper than at Soulards? If not, is it because it is organic?

[attrapereves]

I live in Columbia and although we don't have a Kroger, we do have a Gerbes (owned by Dillons/Kroger). Their prices and selection are good, but the store isn't as nice as Schnucks. However, I find Schnucks really expensive. I can buy most things at WalMart and ALDI. For the rest, and very rarely, I go to HyVee, Schnucks, or Gerbes.

[looking9]

Does Soulards have some organic produce from a number of vendors? On their website I see one description "organic" but does that mean just one vendor?

[JB2K]

Originally Posted by jlawrence01

I wouldn't be so sure that people would flock to Krogers over the local chains or that they would be competitive. Krogers pulled out of Rockford, IL where their main competitor was ... Schnuck's.

And that same month, Schnucks pulled-out of Memphis, TN where their main competitor was...Kroger.