Here in Phoenix, I shop at the Albertson (Jewel) less than mile from the house or Frys (Kroger) 3 miles for chain store items and at Sprouts (like Whole Foods with better pricing) for most of the rest. I go to Whole foods for caviar (but not while vegetarian).
I try to chose just what I need for 2 weeks when I can – especially stocking up on V8, papergoods or pasta at a chain while buying more produce at Sprouts. Limes 3/$1 at chains will be 5 or more/$1 at Sprouts and they always have piles of really fresh produce, like string beans so I can usually take handfuls instead of one by one to skip any wrinkled or spotty. I buy G&B 70% chocolate at Sprouts and Lindt 85% at chains.
I often LOOK at the choices in other carts, but I keep my comments to myself there. (although I DO sometimes comment to someone nearby at Sprouts when something looks especially good) and sometimes someone might ask me about the use of some produce item. Sprouts has a much better selection of herbal tea, and when I was not vegetarian – free range poultry, grass fed beef and much better cheeses.
I try to chose just what I need for 2 weeks when I can – especially stocking up on V8, papergoods or pasta at a chain while buying more produce at Sprouts. Limes 3/$1 at chains will be 5 or more/$1 at Sprouts and they always have piles of really fresh produce, like string beans so I can usually take handfuls instead of one by one to skip any wrinkled or spotty. I buy G&B 70% chocolate at Sprouts and Lindt 85% at chains.
I often LOOK at the choices in other carts, but I keep my comments to myself there. (although I DO sometimes comment to someone nearby at Sprouts when something looks especially good) and sometimes someone might ask me about the use of some produce item. Sprouts has a much better selection of herbal tea, and when I was not vegetarian – free range poultry, grass fed beef and much better cheeses.