Submitted by raindroptop t3_10p83ac in Connecticut
Wondering if there exists grocery stores that sells local and homegrown products AND/OR organic products that are cheaper than wholefoods.
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Also wondering if there are any unicorns near the Middletown area.
Stew Leonard’s is often more expensive than Whole Foods- especially for produce. You need to be an educated consumer in there. Sometimes there are good deals, sometimes it’s just really high. Quality is consistently good though- that’s worth something. Edit: typo. Advisors / educated.
Stew Leonard's is a store that lives and dies by it's loss leaders. Go get the loss leader (usually a premium steak cut or something), then buy everything else at the regular grocery store. Their pantry items and everything else that isn't a loss leader is going to cost far more per unit than at the regular grocery store, and there's usually no selection. Every grocery store does this, but Stews does this to the extreme.
Stew's baked goods are legit though and worth going for by themselves.
Agree, although after years of stews baked goods being brought into my work, I’m no longer impressed. Usually no problem walking right through there without temptation.
For sure! Some things are pricier than others, but they do have some decent deals!
Their meat and fish are usually higher quality. That’s my main thing at Stews.
Their seafood can be good (always lots of dead mussels and clams not culled though), but they are cutting the same meat that comes from the same packing plants as every other grocery store, and their cutting isn't particularly good in my experience. It's nothing special. They just run a lot of fancy premium steaks at attractive loss-leader pricing to get you in the store, so it makes it look like their meat department is better than it is.
Source: Former meat cutter and fish monger who shops at the Danbury Stew's a lot. I'm never that impressed when I shop their meat department.
Knowledgeable opinions! Thank you. Ill counter that with - I saw a picture of Mr Leonard himself at a farm. Those cows looked great! The meat has to be fresh!
I’ve had better luck with stews vs Whole Foods as far as seafood and meat. And better prices, but since you’re here, can you steer me in a better direction? I’m between Danbury and Norwalk. I’ve liked Norwalk Stews meat better than Danbury but it’s close.
Wedge cuts everywhere! No fat trimming, bone dust all over the pork chops! Disgraceful! No dignity ! No Pride! Grab my steel, I’m back on the bench, boys!
Pretty much how I feel when I go there. I think to myself "If I worked here, I'd be the best cutter in the shop" but then the thought of listening to those fucking animatronic songs for eight hours straight makes me want to kill myself.
Stews for meat and fish only lol
Edge of the woods in New Haven and Thyme and Season in Hamden.
Many thanks to you Turd Ferguson! Do you own a dog house per chance?
I needed this. Thanks! You logic profs always know how to get a laugh.
I just read about Edge of the Woods and am going there this Friday.
The Outlet In Southington is Whole Food overstocks
Shhh....please keep this place a secret.
Trader Joe’s opening in Glastonbury on 2/3
Trader Joe’s is for poor people with Masters Degrees.
The fresh produce at Edge of the Woods in New Haven often beats Stop and Shop prices, so that’s pretty good. And it’s gorgeous produce, much better.
It’s Only Natural Market on Main St Middletown is my go to for natural/organic/bulk. It’s like a mini Whole Foods.
Connecticut Fresh Fruit and Produce on the North Haven/Wallingford border.
Literally every grocery store. If you think Whole Foods is the only one that does, I have a bridge to sell you.
Granted some stores will be better than others. When it comes to produce, other than apples and pears preserved in "sleeping chamber" warehouses all produce will be coming from southern states (mostly Florida and Texas), California and/ or from overseas this time of year.
Fresh Market is not cheaper but has much better quality meat and seafood.
not a grocery store but a cool way to get pretty reasonably priced produce, bread, eggs, cheese, etc from local farms in one place https://healthyplaneat.com/ we do the middletown pickup every other week or so. the yogurt is soooo good
Big Y, at least north of Hartford. I usually go to the Ellington location.
Their gas station right across the street is typically $.20-$.30/gal cheaper than in neighboring towns as well.
Wegmans when they build it
If you want to make a trip for great speciality, and often local items, try Flynn’s, Provisions on State, and Atticus Market in New Haven.
Not sure about overall cheaper, but Lyman Orchards will have their CSA sign ups soon. As far as local and in season produce it was really great last year! The regular farm store is not a bargain though
I haven’t had time to research what other farms in the area might offer CSA
It’s western CT but New Morning Market in Woodbury might be it. Not sure if they’re cheaper than Whole Foods though.
New morning is highway robbery Bobs red mill oats that can be got at job lot for 2.99 are like 9.99. Their baked goods are OFF the charts delicious though. I like stopping in there for pre made food more than produce. If I was to do my whole weekly shop there I would for sure be broke, homeless & well fed
Azure standard. It’s like a organic Costco. The awkward part is picking up your groceries like a drug deal out of the back of a unmarked semi truck in a random public place.
Westside Market in Rocky Hill. Excellent meat dept, bakery, and sushi. Other stuff mostly average.
Big y has good seafood and they often run deals towards the end of the day. Whole foods never runs deals unless they are approved in advanced by corporate regional headquarters
britt_102689 t1_j6jt9n1 wrote
Stew Leonards in Newington has better prices than I thought they would. Also, Trader Joes is a good option too!