where do you buy your groceries?

A couple of weeks ago, I was reading this article in the Atlantic Monthly. Essentially, it talks about the gigantic strides that Walmart has made in raising the quality of its produce--the author did a blind tasting with critics and foodies with foods sourced from Walmart and from Whole Foods. Surprise, surprise--Walmart came out ahead in many instances.

I used to hate Walmart (actually, I still dislike it). Just walking inside made me feel like I needed to wash my hands (still do). It always seemed to be full of people you'd never see anywhere outside in the "normal world." Their produce was wilting and the selection limited. When we moved here, I always shopped at the Pay Less/Smith's/Kroger, which was considerably more expensive, but boasted fresh sushi (made while you watched), a big section devoted to natural foods, and organic options for just about everything. Plus, I didn't have to wait in line for what seemed like a gazillion years. The cashiers were efficient and I never had to park a quarter-mile away at the edge of the lot. And best of all, there were book-return drop boxes for both local libraries right in front of the store.

Fast forward four years, and now I shop almost exclusively at Walmart. Food prices have gone up. The quality of produce at Kroger has gone down--I bought cilantro there a few weeks ago that wilted into brown nasty in a matter of days. I ended up going to Walmart for kale and parsnips after that same trip, since Kroger was out. Plus, have you tried the organic onions and Walmart brand of vanilla soy milk? Really good. And let's be honest, Walmart is way cheaper. Their lettuces are better. (Have you tried the Marketplace bagged spinach? Could not live as happily without a crisper drawer stuffed with those bags.) The apples are firm and crisp and juicy. Some of the produce is still hit and miss, but by and large, it's a better value than the other grocery stores in my area (the nearest Whole Foods is an hour away...and I must say, I wasn't super impressed the sole time I visited. Maybe I was just there on an off day, but the bulk bins were pretty disappointing and the produce section was smallish).

The only thing is, I don't like supporting Walmart. I wish I could afford to buy food only from the local farmers, but let's face it, my husband is a graduate student, and we have three small children.

What do you think? Where do you do your grocery shopping? Is it worth the extra money to avoid the big-box retailers, or do you think the changes make them worth patronizing? Have you noticed any changes in the quality of big-box store foods over the last few years?

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