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Old 01-28-2008, 03:38 PM
 
Location: El Cerrito
2 posts, read 12,705 times
Reputation: 10

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I'm new to the area (live in El Cerrito Albany line) and I find that even a trip to the grocery store is more expensive than Boston. I have been to Safe Way, El Cerrito Natural Grocery, Whole Foods, Endronica's and the Berkely Bowl to name a few. I like all natuaral foods (organic) any suggestions? I'm also a member at Costco, but hate buying everythnig in bulk.
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Old 01-28-2008, 03:46 PM
 
Location: San Jose, CA
7,688 posts, read 29,143,792 times
Reputation: 3631
Smart & Final is the way to go, around here. Warehouse club prices with no warehouse club membership to buy. There's one in Richmond at San Pablo & Kirk. Organic might be tough; you might want to try Trader Joe's too.
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Old 01-28-2008, 08:20 PM
 
15,637 posts, read 26,242,236 times
Reputation: 30932
I'll second Trader Joes. You can also find stuff at the Grocery Outlet in Berkeley. That place is always a crap shoot at what they have, though, since they buy overstocks and packaging changes...
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Old 01-29-2008, 02:27 PM
 
Location: San Francisco, CA
36 posts, read 229,002 times
Reputation: 18
I just had this conversation with my friends and the only thing we came up with is trader joe's for dry goods, costco for paper products and Rainbow grocery (in SF) for the rest which is probably the equivilent of Berkeley Bowl but smaller. What really cut my bill was buying Alice Water's new book "the art of simple cooking". Make your own stocks etc. but that's a whole other topic!
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Old 01-29-2008, 05:32 PM
 
15,637 posts, read 26,242,236 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kikiclark View Post
I just had this conversation with my friends and the only thing we came up with is trader joe's for dry goods, costco for paper products and Rainbow grocery (in SF) for the rest which is probably the equivilent of Berkeley Bowl but smaller. What really cut my bill was buying Alice Water's new book "the art of simple cooking". Make your own stocks etc. but that's a whole other topic!
Cooking from scratch is a time honored way of saving real money... there's a learning curve to it, but once you get it down, it's great.
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Old 01-29-2008, 05:49 PM
 
Location: Mokelumne Hill, CA & El Pescadero, BCS MX.
6,957 posts, read 22,302,067 times
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wait until summer, fresh fruit and veggies will be very inexpensive compared to Boston.
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Old 01-29-2008, 08:01 PM
 
Location: san francisco bay area
300 posts, read 1,849,288 times
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For fresh inexpensive produce, try Monterey Market at 1550 Hopkins Street in Berkeley. Cooking everything from scratch is definitely the way to save money. Prepared foods are expensive and the same things made fresh from scratch are not only less expensive, but because they aren't filled with preservatives and chemicals, are also healthier food offerings. By purchasing fresh produce and bulk foods at either Berkeley Bowl or Monterey Market, shopping for fish at Trader Joe's, and making everything from scratch, which I learned to do from my mother and grandmother, I am able to feed two adults for 50.00 a week and we eat very well.
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Old 02-02-2008, 11:39 AM
 
2,652 posts, read 8,579,421 times
Reputation: 1915
I feel your pain Jennifer. I moved to San Jose from Iowa and was sticker shocked even at the grocery store.

I was lucky though... I'm in the military and could shop at the commisary on Moffet.

BTW, I used to live in Boston and loved every minute of it.
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Old 05-12-2008, 11:03 AM
 
175 posts, read 795,433 times
Reputation: 47
Default Shopping

Quote:
Originally Posted by guthrie_jennifer View Post
I'm new to the area (live in El Cerrito Albany line) and I find that even a trip to the grocery store is more expensive than Boston. I have been to Safe Way, El Cerrito Natural Grocery, Whole Foods, Endronica's and the Berkely Bowl to name a few. I like all natuaral foods (organic) any suggestions? I'm also a member at Costco, but hate buying everythnig in bulk.

Although, I like Trader Joe's it is expensive. You'll find fresh produce and fruit much cheaper here. There is always super walmart's if you want to buy less than the bulk costco sells. Safeway is on the high end but they deliver which is very nice.
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Old 05-14-2008, 01:42 AM
 
Location: Des Moines near Refugee Center
105 posts, read 331,234 times
Reputation: 41
Default Trader Joe's is cheap

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alisande View Post
Although, I like Trader Joe's it is expensive. You'll find fresh produce and fruit much cheaper here. There is always super walmart's if you want to buy less than the bulk costco sells. Safeway is on the high end but they deliver which is very nice.
Are you kidding? Trader Joe's is by far the cheapest. I'm a budget shopper. I always compare prices when it comes to food. However almost everything has gone up, even at Trader Joe's but its still cheaper than Safeway, Luckys, Whole Foods. Here is a list of just part of the things I buy at Trader Joe's:

Agave Necter sweetner $2.99.

Large 12 dozen eggs $1.79

1.5 litter bottle water .49 each

pasta sauce $2.99

half&half pint size .99

Half gallon milk $2.49

Bananas .19 each Organic/Bananas .29 each

13 oz french roast coffee $4.99

can of corn .69

Natures path flax plus raisin bran cereal $2.49


You can't beat the price of that. Of course you can find fruits cheaper at the Farmer's Market but they don't sell the basic everyday staples.
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