Grocery Shopping Without the Supermarket

The first question most people have is why bother? After all there's a supermarket just down the street. They sell all of the produce I need, along with any processed food. The prices are decent and the selection is great. So why should I wake up early, drive out of my way, and deal with the crowds at markets?

For most people, shopping without the grocery store comes down to freshness. Many people may have heard of organic, free range, grain fed, grass fed, etc. But what about locally grown? That sounds like some phrase an overpaid TV chef spouts off to make people feel like they can't make adequate food. In reality, it is very important. The less food travels, the riper it is when picked, and the fresher it will be when bought. Consequently, the closer to home your food was grown, the better it will taste.

Think from the perspective of the supermarkets. They are businesses, meaning that their goal is to make money. This isn't necessarily bad, just something to keep in mind. The best way for them to make money is sell as much produce as they can for as much profit as possible with a minimum of waste. To do this they need produce with a long shelf life. There are ways to do that. Pick the produce early so it ripens as it sits on the shelves, coat it in wax or other preservatives, alter the appearance and hide blemishes. They use unsafe fertilizers and genetically alter food for best yield rather than best taste, among other things. Worst of all, you often pay more than people who buy from local growers. When you think about it this way, wouldn't you prefer to spend your hard-earned dollars at a local farm instead?

So if it's time to make a change, where do you start? If you aren't ready to hit the farmer's market quite yet, consider shopping at a location other than your big box grocery/clothing/auto parts store. There are grocery stores that are better than others. Some don't coat their produce with wax, and try to buy primarily from local growers. There are grocery stores that prefer organic or at least natural growing methods. The problem is that these stores tend to charge a premium price. Our goal is to get better food, but to do it without spending too much more.

It sounds tough, but don't despair. There are ways to get quality produce without having to pay the premium price. One option is to look for a local co-op. These groups leverage the buying power of larger numbers of people pooling their money. Many of them order food from the same suppliers that sell to the local supermarkets, but you get the produce before it goes to the stores. This means that the food is generally less processed and several days to weeks fresher than you would get from the grocery store. Many co-ops also try to focus on getting food that is in season and grown as locally as possible. Co-ops can net you some great deals because the group buys in bulk and distributes amongst its members. This is a great way to start adding more fresh food into your diet, especially for those on a tight budget.

The next place is your local farmers' markets. Many cities have them and they are a great place to see what real produce looks, smells, and tastes like. There is a reason that the chefs on Food Network go to farmers' markets. When you go to a farmer's market you get to meet the local growers and learn their particular areas of specialty. Home cooks can do this just like the pros. You might want to keep in mind that many farmer's markets only take cash, although some are starting to accept credit cards, checks, or WIC. Also, remember this is local produce, grown close to your home. If it is winter, you may not have much of a selection, and in fact many farmers markets close down when the weather turns cold. Even during the peak growing season, many of these markets only run one or two days each week, so check that out ahead of time. Fresh produce does not last as long as what you buy in the store so only get what you can use within three or four days unless you plan to can or freeze your produce.

There is one more place where you can get great produce and sometimes great deals. Many local farms have stands where you can buy directly from them. This way you are positive it is local. Just like a farmers' market, you can see food for what it is, and talk with the people who are involved in growing it. There is no wax or other preservatives. The farmer's market rules apply here also. It will only stay fresh a few days, so plan to buy what is in season. If you are lucky enough to live by a good farm stand they are often open most days, meaning you could stop in several times each week and buy a little bit each time.

Local food is not something made up by chefs or TV personalities. It is a huge difference. Try it. Search for co-ops, farmers' markets, farmers' stands, grocery stores that deal in local and fresh produce. Start small. Maybe plan to go once or twice each month and spend $20 at each trip. As time goes on, you will notice your food tastes better, and you will be supporting local businesses. Local, fresh produce can often be one of the key differences between flat, boring food and an incredible dinner that you cannot believe came from your kitchen.