Comments on: Whoa whoa, groceries cost what?

By: Tanya

Tanya — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 03:23:45 +0000

so, I’m a little late in noticing this. Go figure, since I’m usually at the shop. Honestly, I’m shocked that everyone thinks we are expensive. Since if you compare apples to apples we aren’t. Ukrop’s all natural pork chops at last look was 6.99/lb our everyday price is 3.99 and I can tell you about the farm too. At my last comparison, 75% of what we offer is the same price or less than the other guys, and much better quality! The major difference – how things are cut. If you ask us to cut a similiar sized steak or chop the prices would be comparable or less. But rarely do people ask us to cut ‘normal’ portion sizes! I recommend sharing steaks everyday. We will cut whatever you ask for – don’t go crazy. It’s okay. We don’t eat the huge steaks that we cut. Am I going to tell you no, if you order a huge steak. Probably not. Don’t be afraid, ask for something ‘proper’ we do cut those too! We do have some stuff that is expensive – but it’s also the best available. So, sometimes, it costs what it cost. I want to feed Richmond well – so, don’t be afraid to tell us what you want. We don’t have money to spare either!

By: MessyCuisine » Blog Archive » Grocery Wars

MessyCuisine » Blog Archive » Grocery Wars — Sat, 31 May 2008 04:34:14 +0000

[...] (via RVA news (link) [...]

By: nic

nic — Mon, 19 May 2008 16:14:23 +0000

We always shop ukrops because it keeps the cash in richmond, sure we might be able to save a buck or two sometimes by chasing sales elsewhere, but my priorities dictate that supporting the local economy is more important than saving 50 cents on OJ.

By: Ross Catrow

Ross Catrow — Mon, 19 May 2008 13:14:49 +0000

FYI everyone: all Kroger brand milk has no hormones. It says right on the label. I guess they could still be fed like chicken livers or something.

By: Justin

Justin — Sun, 18 May 2008 19:32:20 +0000

FYI Brandon, organic milk in cartons has been on sale for $2.99 at Kroger for quite a while. I don’t know that I’ve ever paid $3.49 there.

By: Brandon

Brandon — Fri, 16 May 2008 21:40:07 +0000

I’m excited about Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s but not nearly as excited as I was before the price of gas became a real factor in my calculations. I’m not sure if those rumored prices will make up the difference (not that I know how to do that kind of calculation) in fuel costs from my house all the way out to frickin’ Short Pump.

Belmont Butchery is crazy expensive and amazingly good. Sometimes their prices can be better than E-T’s (you have to check). My advice: eat less meat but eat a better quality.
I still don’t know what “natural” means as far as meat is concerned (it worries me, actually) and I really try to buy organic BUT even then, you don’t know if the animals are humanely treated (and this really concerns me even more). You can only know if you get it from the farm and that’s always the more expensive way to go. But you’re helping pay someone’s mortgage instead for their Lexus/boat/vacation home, and that’s kind of worth it, isn’t it?

Organic milk in cartons is the same at both Kroger and Ukrop’s ($3.49) but it’s on sale right now at E-T ($3.29)! Really, the sales are great at E-T.

I think all the produce in this town is terrible except for the various farmer’s markets and the Carytown Ukrop’s. And as Katie mentioned, the herbs at Tan-A can’t be beat. The fish is good there too, although the Yellow Umbrella is the best in town.

And Jonah, good luck with that broccoli water smoothie!

By: katie baron

katie baron — Thu, 15 May 2008 22:58:41 +0000

I’ve been buying all of my herbs and more and more produce at Tan-A Market on Broad. I get the three-pack of spring rolls as a cheap ($2.50) lunch on every run. ALthough now that the Farmer’s Markets are in full swing, I’ll be taking advantage.

By: taylor

taylor — Thu, 15 May 2008 21:55:30 +0000

Hey there is also a great Cambodian Grocery Store on Horsepen, which I am about to head to right now. I believe it is run by the same family that ran Heavens and Earth Cambodian restaurant. They are really great people, so stop by if you are in their area. There are also alot of great smaller asian markets in that area, with good prices (although I don’t always trust their produce). Also there is a really great Indian Gracer, Laxmi Palace on Old Parham, where you can actually get FRESH Jackfruit in the summer time. Decent prices, and also very great people.

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:13:35 +0000

I wish I could make my own Diet Coke.

By: Ross Catrow

Ross Catrow — Thu, 15 May 2008 17:13:25 +0000

Belmont is awesome but way out of my price range. The meat there is spectacular and the staff insanely knowledgeable.

I wish I just didn’t have to drop a Grant every time I go in there.

By: sketchy

sketchy — Thu, 15 May 2008 16:49:00 +0000

@Susan – I find prices at Belmont are more expensive then anything at Ukrops or Fresh Market.

By: bopst

bopst — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:50:53 +0000

Just don’t ever buy anything packaged at Ellwood’s if you want to avoid sticker shock…

By: veron

veron — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:34:24 +0000

Ellwood’s is just sooo expensive. I do go to Ukrops but I can’t understand why their produce is so horrible. The next time I’m at the Farmer’s market, I need to remember to bring my grocery list.

By: Ann

Ann — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:37:23 +0000

Just as I’ve always suspected! We primarily do Ellwood’s, Ukrop’s, our Amy’s Garden CSA, and Farmer’s Markets. We do spend a lot on groceries (mostly organic and local), but since we avoid prepared foods and eat simple meals, it works out to just a tad more than my Food Lion shopping friends who eat processed foods.

By: Scott Burger

Scott Burger — Thu, 15 May 2008 11:57:11 +0000

Remember the 2nd Edict.

http://www.oregonhill.net/2008/04/02/first-edict-grow-gardens-for-self-and-community-sufficiency/

By: Justin

Justin — Thu, 15 May 2008 01:51:16 +0000

Kroger has much cheaper organic half-gallons of milk in paper cartons, so if you’re also avoiding putting your milk into plastic, it’s definitely the place to go for that. But I really do agree that you need to check into these things for yourself and not rely on reputation.

Personally my first step for saving money is not going to chipotle every damned night.

By: Jonah

Jonah — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:37:06 +0000

I know this is weird, but since you mentioned it, I’ll tell you…. The veggies from the local organic gardeners (Victory Farms in my case) do have more nutrients — I’m convinced. I drained the broccolli I was cooking this week and cringed not because of the bright color of the green the water turned, but at the thought of it going down the drain instead of into my kids bodies. hmmm maybe I can sneak broccoli water into their next smoothy….or better yet, make them eat it raw!

By: Kelly

Kelly — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:58:25 +0000

I try to put aside the fact that Kroger isn’t local and that my Richmnod bucks are better spent elsewhere, however it’s like a dollar store in there sometimes and I forget that their produce is gross and often from out of the country.

Also I’m not as excited as I thought I would be that Trader Joe’s is coming to Richmond. Mostly because since it involves a trip to Short Pump it might as well be in Northern Virginia, but also because it was just an exotic side trip and probably not the deal breaker I remember. TJ is the friend I really like but am glad lives out of town.

By: Susan

Susan — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:42:16 +0000

Oh man, this speaks to me in my soul. How are the prices at the butchery? I always mean to go there but usually forget.