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 wanted 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 because many grocery stores in the USA have been selling food at very high prices. I’ve found it all shocking.
I’m a big believer that no matter how little or how much money one has, one must stick to a simple frugal budget, or all their money could easily disappear.
I am not perfect at this. But most of my life, I’ve been pretty disciplined, so I want to default to this. I always feel better when I reel in my spending.
I won’t pay $7 for one small can of healthier soup when that same can was recently only $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 has 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 businesses change their ethics daily. There isn’t always a perfect choice when we need to make a purchase. 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.
Again, 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 like-minded people.
That said, I’m 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 the Sprouts in Santa Barbara, California sold the most delectable avocado sushi I’ve ever tasted (the very talented and kind female making it should be paid WELL—plus be head of instructing all sushi counters worldwide). I love to 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, so my purchases were limited. That is a lot of savings. Thus, we now choose our pit stops based on where Costco stores are located, so we can gas up affordably and add free air to the tires, too. Again, I can’t bear to see big parking lots or buildings. This is hard for me. I’d much rather be at cute little co-ops. But this is the current reality in the States, so I’m very grateful for these more affordable options.
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 food at local health food stores and food co-ops, I’ve found that it’s still okay to buy items sold here when they are reasonably priced. Sometimes these are still everyday prices. Sometimes these are monthly specials for members. Sometimes these are sales. I’m just more strategic as I shop. This allows me to stroll the aisles and inhale the ambiance of the places my sensory system loves to shop.
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)