Every food item we buy has the ingredients listed in its cover. Is it required by law? If yes, which govt agency checks for the validity of the claims in the ingredients? I am asking this because, recently, two high school kids found that a well known company was lying about the presence of vitamin C in its products. [more inside]
posted by raghuram on Sep 10, 2009 - 15 answers

I'm looking for the best ethnic food stores in the Boston/Metro West area. [more inside]
posted by backseatpilot on Sep 10, 2009 - 13 answers

Why aren't there any national grocery chains in America? They all seem to be regional.
posted by Damn That Television on Sep 9, 2009 - 50 answers

Followup TorontoFilter: I'm here now, and you helped out our move immensely. Things are going great! New questions abound, however. [more inside]
posted by setanor on Sep 5, 2009 - 11 answers

Are there books or resources for starting a co-operative grocery store in the United States?
posted by parmanparman on Aug 13, 2009 - 3 answers

Online grocery coupons? [more inside]
posted by kidsleepy on Aug 13, 2009 - 6 answers

Do you have your very own (non-pilfered) shopping cart? I may be selling my car soon, and need a liveable way of lugging groceries. [more inside]
posted by notquitemaryann on Jul 22, 2009 - 27 answers

At a Walmart in Missouri, of all places, I found some pre-packaged, refrigerated tortillas that were very, very thin pieces of uncooked dough stacked together. You just peeled one off, put it in a pan to quickly cook it, and ended up with a delicious, home-made-tasting flour tortilla. Where can I find these in Chicago? [more inside]
posted by nitsuj on May 9, 2009 - 19 answers

I'm going to be moving to Philadelphia soon and I'll be living near 2400 Chestnut St. Can anyone recommend good grocery stores to shop at? [more inside]
posted by Aanidaani on May 8, 2009 - 21 answers

Need source for wholesale jute/burlap bags for holding bulk foods. Should be tight weave for holding fine food items such as flour; produced in the USA if possible; and made from organically grown jute if possible. [more inside]
posted by franklen on Apr 23, 2009 - 21 answers

What interesting foods can only be found in ethnic grocery stores? [more inside]
posted by twoleftfeet on Mar 23, 2009 - 50 answers

Hawaii (Waikiki/Honululu) redux: Some questions we haven't answered. [more inside]
posted by cestmoi15 on Mar 12, 2009 - 9 answers

Is it safe to buy fresh vegetables at the Asian grocery store? [more inside]
posted by roaring beast on Jan 29, 2009 - 52 answers

Help me find this grocery bag using trash bin., or something similar, please. I StumbledUpon this link and think it would be an awesome gift for my mother. She doesn't want to use reusable bags because she takes 8-10 empty aluminum cans to the recycle bin every morning along with a bag of cat poop/liter from cleaning the litter box. For convenience she uses two grocery bags a day for the job. If she's going to use bags I figured I may as well make it easy for her.
posted by RunawayOctober on Jan 7, 2009 - 4 answers

How best to sensibly splurge at Whole Foods? [more inside]
posted by scarylarry on Dec 13, 2008 - 33 answers

The store where I buy my produce carry stubby leeks which have maybe 5-6 inches of usable white leek at most. The store does a poor job trimming, and often the leaves left on weigh more than the usable portion of the leek itself. Much like this.
What are your opinions on my taking a knife and trimming 2/3's of the leaves off before going to the checkout? [more inside]
posted by whoda on Dec 10, 2008 - 31 answers

How can I learn to select produce at the store? [more inside]
posted by k7lim on Oct 24, 2008 - 13 answers

After months of diligently shopping healthier, I have come to the realization that I just cannot get through the fresh vegetables I buy in a timely manner. Having decided to go back to cans (except for cabbage and onions), tell me what I should be on the lookout for, in terms of great-tasting things to try.
posted by parmanparman on Oct 4, 2008 - 24 answers

I would like to diversify my meal choices, but I can't afford to shop every week.... any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by FireStyle on Sep 28, 2008 - 24 answers

What's your secret tip for saving money at the grocery store? [more inside]
posted by nitsuj on Sep 15, 2008 - 59 answers

Help me get a load of beer bought and delivered to a friend in Brooklyn. I am nowhere near New York, or the USA even. [more inside]
posted by kandinski on Sep 10, 2008 - 12 answers

Bargain shoppers Extrodionaires: What are the websites that help you to save? [more inside]
posted by Carialle on Jul 25, 2008 - 15 answers

Fairway, D'Ag, Westside Market, Garden of Eden. What's the diff? Tell me all about Upper West Side grocery stores. [more inside]
posted by HotPatatta on Jul 7, 2008 - 10 answers

When inflation is measured, do economists take into account the shrinking size/quantity/volume of consumer products? Like when Pampers stay the same price, but each box contains fewer diapers thanks to the Grocery Shrink Ray.
posted by punkfloyd on Jul 3, 2008 - 5 answers

I've just finished reading Donna Tartt's The Secret History. At one point Tartt references a supposedly famous horror story, but I don't understand the reference! Can anyone identify it? [more inside]
posted by punchdrunkhistory on Jun 1, 2008 - 13 answers

Frozen chicken breasts and other frozen meats: Are they worthwhile? [more inside]
posted by ignignokt on May 29, 2008 - 27 answers

Help me identify this Asian grocery item. An old roommate of my current roommate left this item in the cupboard, and I have no way to get a hold of them to ask about it. The package is yellow with all Asian language text of some sort. There is a picture of some beans and nuts. Inside are individual packets that seem to contain crushed seeds and/or nuts. What is this product, and what is it used for? i was just going to open it up and sprinkle on my oatmeal in the morning?
posted by franklen on May 1, 2008 - 11 answers

I've been living on my own for about five years now, but I still cannot for the life of me understand grocery shopping. I've tried buying the staples, easy-to-cook meals, and even specific recipes. But I always end up ordering take out after a week. [more inside]
posted by pedmands on Mar 3, 2008 - 34 answers

I really love these easy-to-prepare, not-too-expensive A Taste of Thai/India/China meals for lunch. What else would I like? [more inside]
posted by nitsuj on Feb 23, 2008 - 12 answers

I'd like to stop using plastic grocery bags, but I use them as liners in all of my garbage cans (including the kitchen, where stuff thrown in tends to be moist food detritus). Any ideas on what to use as garbage liners in lieu of the plastic bags?
posted by backseatpilot on Jan 24, 2008 - 21 answers

What grocery stores in Canada carry healthy(er) foods? [more inside]
posted by irishkitten on Jan 3, 2008 - 14 answers

Cheapest prices, in the 5 boroughs of NYC, for Amy's frozen foods? Specifically, do you know any store where the Pockets are regularly less than $2.19, or the Tofu Lasagna is regularly less than $3.99? Those are best individual prices I've found (my freezer's too small for me to buy a case).
posted by sparrows on Dec 22, 2007 - 4 answers

I'm going to get a 'customer loyalty card' from Bloom's (aka upscale Food-Lion) supermarket. The terms and conditions don't mention anything about the validity of the information, and I know enough about security and datamining that I don't want to distribute that information. Do they have a policy, or is there any way I could get caught using a fake name/address/telephone no, etc.?
posted by tmcw on Dec 16, 2007 - 36 answers

What websites offer free grocery coupons? [more inside]
posted by JPowers on Dec 6, 2007 - 3 answers

Is it unethical to try ONE grape at the grocery store in order to determine whether to buy a bag?
posted by Juicylicious on Nov 12, 2007 - 45 answers

Do you get a lot of your food via mail order? I mean everyday foods, not stuff from expensive specialty places. What are your favorite sources for this? (I'm in the U.S.) [more inside]
posted by sparrows on Nov 2, 2007 - 12 answers

How do I start a grocery co-op? [more inside]
posted by humannaire on Oct 9, 2007 - 7 answers

Help me find my favorite bean in upstate NY... I'm hungry! [more inside]
posted by you're a kitty! on Aug 13, 2007 - 4 answers

Anyone know of a website that provides comprehensive food price data throughout the U.S.? For instance, lists the current price of top round beef, a gallon of milk, etc. I want to compare prices per region/city.
posted by sluglicker on Jul 30, 2007 - 9 answers

How to sell imported goods to local businesses... If you've got any experience selling wholesale (or other relevant qualifications)... [more inside]
posted by acro on Jul 25, 2007 - 7 answers

I love Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Wild Oats, and Farmers Market. What is the BIGGEST and best grocery store in Los Angeles County? Lots of variety needed.
posted by DarwinianDan on Jul 4, 2007 - 19 answers

So I'm going to San Diego because I'm a big ol' geek and I'm finally going to San Diego Comic Con this year, about which I'm super excited. While in San Diego, what food should I eat/buy? [more inside]
posted by Samantha on Jun 26, 2007 - 28 answers

Where are all the Mexican groceries in Seattle? [more inside]
posted by rossination on Apr 29, 2007 - 17 answers

Grocery store line etiquette - when someone abandons their cart to go get an additional item, do they forfeit their place in line? [more inside]
posted by marble on Apr 3, 2007 - 116 answers

I am considering taking over a small grocery store in Brooklyn. I am looking for reading material that would better prepare me for running this type of business. In absence grocery specific books, I would be interested in general small business management books that others have found useful. Thanks.
posted by Morgangr on Mar 22, 2007 - 10 answers

Is there a certain day/time of the week when grocery stores get deliveries of certain items? [more inside]
posted by nbSean on Jan 29, 2007 - 10 answers

In NYC, where can I buy FRESH SHELLED peas? (Not the sprouted peas from Sproutman.) On the A or 2/3 would be great, but I'd love to hear about any possibilities anywhere in the five boroughs.
posted by lorimer on Jan 24, 2007 - 9 answers

Can I get Canadian bacon at a grocery store in St. Thomas (US VI)? Furthermore, what other differences from typical American suburban grocery stores will I find there? [more inside]
posted by pithy comment on Jan 3, 2007 - 4 answers

Help? What is the best baking-specific store in Chicago? [more inside]
posted by bash on Nov 25, 2006 - 3 answers

I read about a website that you input your grocery list into, and it will locate the cheapest prices in your area, as well as find online coupons for you to print out. Trouble is, I forgot the website name and have been unable to google it. Anyone know what I'm talking about? [more inside]
posted by lane73179 on Oct 16, 2006 - 6 answers