Discount food stores in Central Florida (Miami, Orlando: purchase, live in, groceries)

[bsw115]

Relocating soon to Clermont. I now live in an area that has a wonderful discount/salvage food store. Is there anything like that in Central Florida?

[annerk]

Not that I'm aware of. There is an Aldi in Clermont though.

[Rabflmom]

Don't know if there are any stores still open in the area but Flowers Bakeries used to have day old bread stores that sold more than just the bread so might check for Flowers in a local phone book to see if there are any still open.

[annerk]

Originally Posted by Rabflmom

Don't know if there are any stores still open in the area but Flowers Bakeries used to have day old bread stores that sold more than just the bread so might check for Flowers in a local phone book to see if there are any still open.

I've been here for 10 years and we've never had a bakery thrift store in Clermont. The only ones I knew of were on the other side of I-4 in Orlando, and have closed over the past few years.

[EditorJul]

Quite a flashback…I remember when I lived down in Hollywood this place called Miami Depot that was a food salvage place. There were some amazing deals there.

Here's an outdated list of salvage grocery stores by state:
Salvage Grocery list by state

If the Groveland one is still open, that would be your closest option. The rest of the ones listed there would be a bit of a hike for you. You might try networking with the local Freecycling groups (or if there's a Freegan group around they would be a good source of info, too) to see if they have any leads.

[beckycat]

I'm not sure I know what a salvage store is but can someone explain? I know of Harvest Time in Sanford.
Harvest Time International Seminole Hope Center | Food & Essentials for Families in Need
They sell discounted groceries and household items donated from local stores.

[EditorJul]

It looks like Harvest Time International works with agencies so that only people who qualify for assistance can purchase there -- a very noble idea, but a little different from a salvage store.

Basically a salvage store sells foods that were either mis-ordered, overstock, close to or just past expiration dates, scrach-and-dent merchandise, or bulk purchases from stores that have remodeled or gone out of business. These items are sold at a huge discount, and while the products in stock are very hit or miss and you do want to use good common sense on some things, they can be a great way to stretch a food budget or even find some very unusual products.