Do you usually buy name brand food or the store brand?

[Woof]

Originally Posted by nickerman

I noticed that the store brand of parmesan cheese was a dollar less that a national brand(Kraft). I bought the national brand but I wonder if the store brand was just as good. Then why is it cheaper? What would you buy?

It's cheaper because of no advertising, and also because they are often the national brand that has produced too much of the stuff - the national brands prefer stable high prices for their products, so instead of selling off the extra at a lower price, they sell to the store brand. Also sometimes the national brand still has manufacturing facilities for an older version of what they're selling now, so they again sell wholesale. Also some factories are making a cheaper version of the name brand, and selling to many different store brands.

Whether I buy one or the other ..... usually I buy the store brand unless it's something with a distinctive taste, like Hellmanns/Best Foods mayonnaise, ketchup, or a particular "artisan" bread. A few generic items also have notably inferior quality, such as soups or canned pasta.

Originally Posted by Emeraldmaiden

I will usually try the store brand, especially since they are generally made by the same companies that make the name brands. I've been very happy with most store brands of most items. Compare ingredient lists.

Yes, if it has the exact same ingredients in the same order, it is usually a covert national brand.

Originally Posted by luzianne

......The exception is Costco. I have found their store brand (Kirkland) to be just as good or better than national brands on just about everything.

Yes ...... for one example, I was surprised to find out that their organic extra virgin olive oil ranks high not only on flavor, but also in supposedly healthy components. I don't think I've ever been disappointed by a Kirkland product.

[mainebrokerman]

often the store brands are a national brand...

the chains put it out to bid,,,to the big companies,,,

and the big companies will try to get these contracts because of huge volume..

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by mainebrokerman

often the store brands are a national brand...

the chains put it out to bid,,,to the big companies,,,

and the big companies will try to get these contracts because of huge volume..

In a lot of cases the large consumer product manufacturers have ALREADY outsourced their manufacturing to third parties. These third parties make several name brand products (even though they are competitors) as well as hundreds of store and private label brands.

For example, how many companies manufacture lower volume items like marshmellows and bar soap???

[Teddy52]

Depends................I always bought store brands to save money, but recently I have found a few items I won't sway from the national brands.

Great Value Rasin Bran cereal is good but I will take Jiff Peanut Butter over Great Value and Campbell Soup over Great Value.

Spam still beats the Great Value look alike.

[Luvvarkansas]

Originally Posted by Teddy52

Depends................I always bought store brands to save money, but recently I have found a few items I won't sway from the national brands.

Great Value Rasin Bran cereal is good but I will take Jiff Peanut Butter over Great Value and Campbell Soup over Great Value.

Spam still beats the Great Value look alike.

I'm with you, Teddy....store brands are not always just as good as national brands.

[CMichele]

Mostly store brands. More likely than not I am going to dress it up, anyway.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by nickerman

I noticed that the store brand of parmesan cheese was a dollar less that a national brand(Kraft). I bought the national brand but I wonder if the store brand was just as good. Then why is it cheaper? What would you buy?

I usually go with the store brand for most things unless a name brand is markedly superior and I can't find a cheaper equivalent. For example my cats LOVE the Target brand of cat food. Yay, win! My dog, on the other hand, will ONLY eat Nutro Natural Choice dog food. So, lose. I buy store brand frozen veggies but Progresso and Campbell canned soup because I tried a few store brands and found them lacking. And when it comes to yellow mustard, it can ONLY be French's. Ever.