Grocery Shopping in Edmonton

01/12/2015

If you’re anything like me, you spend a ton of money on food each month for your family. I would much rather food prices in Edmonton plummet than gas prices – it would certainly have a far greater effect on the family pocketbook. And unlike clothes or accessories, I am not willing to buy the cheapest food if it means I am sacrificing taste, safety and quality. Grocery shopping in Edmonton can be easier and cheaper than you may realize.

In my ideal world, I would grow all of my own vegetables and only buy at local Edmonton markets from local farmers. Supporting local means our local economy grows. If you shop at a fairly typical local grocery store (generally 1 of 4 chains) your food will likely have travelled thousands of kilometers just to reach you – food like potatoes, apples and garlic – food that can be grown in Alberta or BC. What an absolute waste of fuel and money. And a guarantee that when the food arrives on your plate, it is the furthest thing from fresh.

I remember running out of fresh garlic last year and asking my husband to pop by the local chain grocery store for a few bulbs. I was shocked when he arrived home with garlic from China: China! The garlic travelled at least 8000 km to Edmonton. It actually makes me sick thinking about it: thinking about all the amazing local farmers not being supported, all the wasted gas, all the wasted resources and the guaranteed lack of freshness. Check out the video below from Hellmann’s about choosing Canadian food. Phewf. Rant over.

Of course there is some produce that cannot grow in Canada, like avocados and bananas, that we must buy imported, but most produce can grow in Canada. There is no need to import food that can grow here. It is such a shame. And local does not necessarily mean more expensive. Although I am more than willing to pay a little extra for my food if it means supporting the local economy and eating fresher food. Edmonton is my city and want it and the people within it to thrive.

It has taken me some time to figure out a good, budget-friendly grocery shopping routine, but I finally have it mastered:

I buy local free-range meat from either Real Deal Meats or Acme Meat Market (neither is in North Edmonton or St. Albert, but you can plan your trips to either butcher to stock up on meat and eggs and waste less time and gas). We have been buying local, free-range meat for years now. I recall the time my hubby thought we could save some money by buying regular meat from a chain grocery store – that night we were both sick. It is worth it for me to buy local and free-range to feed my growing family.

The majority of the produce I purchase is from Earth’s General Store, Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market or delivered by SPUD.

Earth’s General Store, with two central Edmonton locations, is amazing! They have the cheapest organic produce by far and amazing service! You can also refill your reusable containers (yay mason jars) by weighing them before filling at the store. We refill organic maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, nuts, beans, and more! You can even refill laundry detergent! I was pleasantly surprised to discover that they are now offering 15% off on the second Sunday of every month.

Depending on my weekly schedule and what I am running out of at home, I will either stop at Earth’s General Store or order my produce from SPUD.

SPUD is a new local grocery delivery company. They carry everything from produce, meat and dairy, to cleaning products and baked goods. You do not need to commit to a period of time or number of deliveries per month. And you have until 3:00 pm the day before your delivery to complete your order. They often have produce on sale (yay!) and each item has details about the farm and distance the food must travel to reach Edmonton. The minimum cost for free delivery is $35 which is great! During the weeks that we had an inordinate amount of snow this winter, SPUD was invaluable and my order made it by dinner time!!! Grocery shopping online and having it delivered when you are a busy mom is a no-brainer. It also makes meal planning pretty easy. Definitely check SPUD Edmonton out! If you do sign up, use referral code CREDM-BORCHE and you and I will both save $20 on our next SPUD delivery!

Thanks to the amazing farmers’ markets in Edmonton and area and some other great businesses like SPUD and Earth’s General Store, it is easier and easier for Edmonton families to support local and eat healthier. However, there are some items that are either not available or too expensive (for me anyways) at certain local markets or businesses – that is where Costco comes in.

Now I shop a few times a month at Costco for some essentials like oats, honey, whole organic chicken, butter and coffee. I buy very little produce at Costco, save for cucumbers, lemons and avocados. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the majority of produce carried at Costco is grown in Canada. That I can approve of!

Where are your favourite spots for groceries in Edmonton?

~chelsey