The Cheapest Place I Buy Groceries in the USA—Ethically (Organic, Vegan, Gluten-Free)

When I left Canada to travel down through the USA, I needed to find the cheapest place to buy groceries—ethically. I needed affordable organic, vegan, and gluten-free food.

Normally, if I have to be in the States, I buy most of my groceries from local health food stores and food cooperatives, plus a few other markets that offer healthier choices.

But I can no longer shop that way as my default.

Many grocery stores in the USA have been selling their food at very high prices. This has also included stores that focus on healthier options. I’ve found it all shocking.

I’m a big believer that no matter how little or how much money one has, everyone must stick to a budget, or their money will disappear. So I try my best to live on a budget.

I won’t pay $7 for one small can of healthier soup when that same can was recently $4 (or $2 on sale, which has been the only time I’ve ever purchased such convenience soups).

A shipper I once relied upon for healthy bulk purchases also raised their prices. Plus—in my opinion—they’ve become seriously unethical. Embarrassingly, I was late to realize this.

So I had to do a little research. I had to find where I could purchase affordable groceries. Ethically. And those groceries needed to be organic, vegan, and gluten-free.

Of course, some decide to change their ethics daily. There isn’t always a perfect choice. Our options are limited if those in charge behave badly.

But I took a look into how grocers were founded, funded, and the causes they support—including the behaviors of those holding power within these organizations. As much as I could, anyway.

And I actually found a few places where it seems possible to buy cheap groceries in the USA—ethically (or, as ethically as possible). They all sell organic, vegan, and gluten-free options.

But this is not an easy transition for me.

I love strolling endlessly through small local health food stores and food co-ops that care about saving our health and planet, as one loving home for all. I love those like-minded people.

That said, I am grateful. I’m now finding more affordable food at the following stores…

Trader Joe’s

When in the States, I now shop for the bulk of my pantry needs at Trader Joe’s. It just makes sense. Every time I check out, my bill is literally a fraction of what it would be elsewhere. I am delighted and grateful every time. Again, these are organic, vegan, and gluten-free grocery items. And I avoid their produce items wrapped in plastic. That is really important to me.

• beans, black (canned)

• beans, garbanzo (canned)

• beans, white northern (canned)

• soup, lentil (canned)

• artichoke hearts (canned)

• olives, kalamata

• vinegar, red wine

• milk, soy (only soybeans + water)

• apples, honeycrisp

• satsumas/mandarins

• bananas

• avocados

• hummus (if there isn’t a nearby Costco for a larger tub)

• toilet paper (if I can’t find it wrapped in paper elsewhere)

• tea tree oil

• shampoo

• soap

• etc.

Sprouts

When in the States, I now shop for ecological household items and some grocery items at Sprouts. I can’t believe how much more affordable they’ve been at Sprouts. And in Santa Barbara, California, Sprouts sold the best avocado sushi I’ve ever tasted (the very talented and kind female making it should be paid WELL, plus get to instruct all sushi counters at all Sprouts). I enter my phone number at checkout to earn points and cash back.

• paper towels (brown)

• spray cleaner (seventh generation)

• laundry soap

• coffee, instant (when road tripping)

• water, spring (bottled in glass; if I can’t find free refill stations)

• lime juice (in glass)

• lemon juice (in glass)

• vinegar, balsamic (in glass)

• corn, sweet (canned)

• nut butter (in glass)

• witch hazel (I wish it were bottled in glass)

• carrots

• cucumbers

• onions, green

• cilantro

• parsley

• dark leafy greens

• etc.

Costco

When in the States, I now shop for some very specific items at Costco. We are only two people. How does this make sense? On my first trip to Costco, I saved nearly $100. And I was buying while on a road trip, when I had hardly any space to stash food. Thus, we now choose our pit stops based on where Costco stores are, so we can gas up affordably and add free air to the tires, too. Again, this is hard for me. I’d rather be at cute little co-ops. But this is current reality.

• granola (purely elizabeth; lark ellen at goleta)

• chia seeds

• flax seeds

• hemp hearts

• quinoa (when I have a kitchen)

• crackers (mary’s gone crackers)

• coffee (whole bean; when I have a kitchen)

• mushrooms (canned; when I have a kitchen)

• bread (Franz Deli Style Sourdough = delicious toasted, satiates French bread/baguette cravings; when I have a kitchen)

• pine nut hummus

• carrots (if I can’t find them sold without plastic elsewhere)

• veggie masala + rice (a treat when in stock; when I have a kitchen)

• sweet potatoes (when I have a kitchen)

• gloves, work

• windshield wipers

• headlight wipes (cleared the aged hard plastic)

• wipes, rico (online order)

• etc.

Health Food Stores/Food Cooperatives

Even though I no longer default to buying all my staples at local health food stores and food co-ops, I’ve found it’s still okay to buy items sold there—when reasonably priced. This allows me to stroll the aisles and inhale the ambiance. I’m just more strategic as I do. I won’t say this doesn’t hurt. It does. But, again, this is the current (though hopefully temporary) reality.

• produce (when priced reasonably)

• deli food (my comfort treat; varies from $9.99-12.99/lb)

• soup, lotus foods, 2.8 oz. packets (my partner’s comfort treat; when $1.99 or less)

• spray cleaner (seventh generation; when on sale)

• toilet paper (wrapped in paper, when priced reasonably)

• sales (there can be some great deals)