Where Should I Buy My Groceries?

Ann Arbor’s grocery scene may not be as vibrant and diverse as those in bustling cities like New York, or Singapore (where I’m from), but it is more than sufficient to meet a university student’s basic needs. Most people I know depend primarily on Kroger as an economical supply of food but there are various other supermarkets worth visiting too.

In my opinion, Kroger and Meijer have the best prices around for the meats and produce you’d typically find in an American grocery store. The quality of items there is middling but they offer a good variety and will suffice if you prefer to get all of your groceries and other household necessities in a single place – without burning a huge hole in your pocket. However, do note that their ethnic offerings are exceedingly limited and slightly overpriced.

If price is your main concern, or if you are feeling adventurous and keen to try new foods, you may want to check out the various ethnic supermarkets in Ann Arbor. Way One Market is one of my go-to places because of its location and price. They may not have kale or arugula or beetroot – ‘foreign’ vegetables that I became acquainted with after my arrival in the States – but they have Chinese spinach, Kai Lan and many other leafy vegetables that are staples in any self-respecting Chinese’s diet and that you’d never find in a Western supermarket. Of course, Chinese and Western cooking utilize many similar ingredients – pork ribs, chicken thighs, broccoli, lettuce etc. – and these usually tend to be cheaper in Chinese food markets than Western ones. In general, you can get much more food for you dollar’s worth in an ethnic supermarket than an American one. Hence, do consider stepping out of your comfort zone and venturing into ethnic territory (not only the Chinese, but the Korean, Indian, Polish etc. food markets near our campus) if you truly want to stretch your dollar or enjoy a more diverse culinary experience.

Trader Joe’s, off Washtenaw, is another economical option too. Their snacks, cookies and chocolates are simply delectable, and their prices are even more so. Notably, their selection of cheese is also unbeatable for the quality, cost and astounding variety. However, I would think thrice about purchasing their fresh produce, fish or meats because those tend to be overpriced and of dubious quality.

Bulk bins were a novelty to me when I first arrived in the States. You’d generally find them in a typical American supermarket and these are another great way to save money on food, while adding variety to your diet. Because you’re only paying for the amount you take, you’re free to take as much or as little as you want. You can try new foods at minimum risk – by being able to purchase the exact quantity you desire, you need not worry about wasting the remaining 4.99kg if you eventually find it distasteful. Neither do you have to embark on an eating frenzy to finish it before it expires.

I was delighted when Lucky’s Market opened early this year because it has a good number of bulk bins offering a dazzling array of confectionaries, nuts, grains, condiments and spices at a very reasonable price per pound, in addition to the typical supermarket finds. By The Pound is a small store on South Main Street that specializes solely in bulk bins. It has an even more extensive selection of bulk bins containing all the typical bulk bin fare, and much more, at more than reasonable prices. If you can’t find what you’re looking for at Lucky’s or By The Pound, you can also check out The People’s Food Co-op. I believe it is slightly pricier per pound as compared to most other places. However, if you only need a small amount or a sample size of a particular item, it might ultimately be more cost-effective to get it at the aforementioned co-op.

There are a handful of other grocery stores in Ann Arbor that I’ve not touched on here. If you have the time and fancy, you may want to slowly check them out to discover which ones are best for your needs and budget. Who knows, your ordinary grocery shopping experience may also be transformed into a cultural immersion of sorts!

Christie Chan

Summer Orientation Peer Adviser

B.A: Psychology

Country of Origin: Singapore