Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Personally, I buy 80% of my groceries between WF and Trader Joes. I'd say 15% from Costco and the rest from other sources (HMart, Giant, Safeway). When I go to Giant or Safeway, I find their prices expensive for what it is, especially. I buy seasonally (and thus on sale) from WF and I get much higher quality produce for less! WF is not cheap but buying on sale is great (and healthy--we eat a lot of cool produce). When I go to WF and need very specific items for a recipe, say for a dinner party because I've set my heart on it, then it can be expensive. But I love WF quality and customer service.

Exactly. I do the same for the same reasons.

And my budget is about $600 a month for all groceries - family of four.

Anonymous wrote:
Personally, I buy 80% of my groceries between WF and Trader Joes. I'd say 15% from Costco and the rest from other sources (HMart, Giant, Safeway). When I go to Giant or Safeway, I find their prices expensive for what it is, especially. I buy seasonally (and thus on sale) from WF and I get much higher quality produce for less! WF is not cheap but buying on sale is great (and healthy--we eat a lot of cool produce). When I go to WF and need very specific items for a recipe, say for a dinner party because I've set my heart on it, then it can be expensive. But I love WF quality and customer service.

Exactly. I do the same for the same reasons.

Michelle Granola - the best that I have ever tasted. Have no seen it anywhere else other than a few farmer's markets.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everything other than cleaning and paper products and diapers/wipes. Those I get online ( Amazon, Soap and Diapers.com).

I just do not have the time to run around town buying stuff at multiple places and there are 2 WFs within a 5 minute drive of my house.

Wow...how many people are you feeding and what is your weekly WF bill like? Seriously, does anyone have a link that compares WF to other grocery chains for like items (obviously there are items that are unique to each store).

My monthly grocery budget is $850 (we are a family of 4, kids 7 and 2) and I rarely go over it. I think its all about what you buy. I cook everyday so I never have to get pre-prepared stuff (which costs more). I buy bulk where I can, for example I get oatmeal from the bulk containers instead of on the shelf, same for rice and beans/peas. I go several times a week so I rarely lose stuff to spoilage. I dont always buy organic, other than milk.

Lake Champlain chocolates. For special gifts or dinner parties, they have wonderful boxed truffles. For my own occasional treats, I get their stuff. They have some individual size bars that are like an inch high that are amazing. They have a caramel one that is thick, delicious caramel with nuts and chocolate that is divine. YUM.

Anonymous wrote:I am buying less and less there these days. I find Trader Joe's produce fresher and cheaper, and their staff is much more nice and helpful. The only things I cannot get there are organic Cheerio's and Earth's Best boxed 2% milk. Of course, these two items have not been on the shelves during my last 3 visits, so I am about to give up on Whole Foods altogether.

Ooops, I forgot... Lafe's organic baby shampoo.

I am buying less and less there these days. I find Trader Joe's produce fresher and cheaper, and their staff is much more nice and helpful. The only things I cannot get there are organic Cheerio's and Earth's Best boxed 2% milk. Of course, these two items have not been on the shelves during my last 3 visits, so I am about to give up on Whole Foods altogether.

Citrus air freshener (natural orange oil spray thing)

"Solid" air freshener -- hard to describe but they have a product that is in a plastic container. You peel the lid off and leave it in a room and it absorbs bad odors. They have a citrus and a linen scent. Only used citrus. Sometimes I put it in the car overnight if the car has been funky, works wonders. I have one in my mudroom at all times (where the laundry is, dog bowls are, wet shoes, etc.)

Fruit
Milk
Cheese
Deli Meat
Prepared foods and salad bar
coffee
ice cream

I never buy bread there though...my kids hate every brand and type they have.

^^These are my new favorite thing to buy at WholePaycheck. Unbleached waxed sandwich baggies. Better for the environment and I love the 1940's feel of the bags as you slip the items in. And the crinkly sound they make as you fold them. I know, weird. I staple them shut.

Anonymous wrote:Everything other than cleaning and paper products and diapers/wipes. Those I get online ( Amazon, Soap and Diapers.com).

I just do not have the time to run around town buying stuff at multiple places and there are 2 WFs within a 5 minute drive of my house.

Same here.

Pretty much everything. Mostly their 365 brand, though. I like they have local options and do put lots of things on sale. It can be expensive, but not crazy so. You get smart after a while and can figure out how to navigate without blowing the budget.

11:20 again. Vermont Bread Company is the sliced bread I buy. It goes on sale every so often and I load up. Kids like it.

What I do not buy at WF: their cakes. They are beautiful but overpriced and don't taste so great. Many of their baked goods, including breads, are subpar. Again, look good but just not worth the price/calories. We LOVE their rugelah, though. Yum.

Too much! Seriously, I do try to buy produce, meat, seafood from WF and go to Giant for as much of the other stuff as possible, but its usually just easier to buy everything at WF and make occasional Giant runs. I think their 365 brand is generally a good deal. Some things I like to buy are:

Organic fruits and vegetables
Grass fed ground beef at the meat counter
Fresh wild salmon at the seafood counter
fresh sausages
Chicken and Turkey
Made-to-order Pizzas
Rotisserie chickens
Wine (great deals)
Frozen and prepared foods for kids (Ians, Annies, Applegate farms chicken nuggets, etc)
Earths Best babyfood
I also buy the 365 brand for many household and beauty products, and buy 365, 7th Generation, and California Baby baby and kid items.

I don't like their bread.

Sushi

In the cold bar there is a dish that I love (whole grain tiype of rice, cranberries, walnuts, scallions, orange segments.)

WF brand frozen fruit bars (esp. Strawberry.)

WF baked banana muffins