Hannaford $64.78 {might as well have been 10 million dollars}
Does anyone here shop at Hannaford? Do you like the store? Maybe it’s because I haven’t been in a real big box grocery store since last October, but holy cow man, I think the prices at Hannaford are pretty high.
Back in Washington, Fred Meyer and Winco were always my favorite places to buy groceries, they always seemed to have good prices or some sort of easy deal {Fred Meyer} going on. And before we moved to the boonies, I always liked shopping at Market Basket.
General Store $32.85
But now since grocery shopping is more of a chore, we’ve elected to buy most of our weekly groceries from the mom and pop general store. Which I LOVE because of that hometown, people know your name, no frills no fuss type of feel. But spending that same kind of money {or even more} at Hannaford just doesn’t do it for me.
Note to self: Grab the coolers and plot out a big stock up trip to Market Basket soon.
Saturday night beans… make a pot of these and you’ll have plenty of leftovers. It’s a wintertime favorite around here. This time around I made it with Aidells weenies.
The HH made his favorite meatloaf again. We had it for two dinners and then I froze the leftover slices.
He also made a BLT that we split with a bowl of my favorite copy cat Panera tomato soup. š
Big salad. This time around I added hard boiled eggs, peas, beets, apple, ham, cheese, sunflower seeds and dried cranberries.
Costco canned chicken makes the best chicken salad.
Hawaiian rolls and ham with a few blueberries. Speaking of blueberries, I think I have just enough Maine wild blueberries in the freezer for one more pie.
Guacamole and chips. Yep. It totally counts as a meal.
Ritz cracker chicken and roasted vegetables. Best dinner ever!
And last but not least… dessert from last night. Chocolate brownies and vanilla ice cream. The perfect combination if you ask me. š
So how about YOU? Did you eat anything exciting this week? Do you think grocery store prices are starting to get a little crazy too or is it all in my head? I need to know.
Have a great Monday everyone, try and stay out of trouble.
~Mavis
Total Spent This Past Week on Groceries and Bakery Treats We Brought Home $97.63
- Total Spent in February on Groceries and Bakery Treats $148.41
- Total Spent in January on Groceries and Bakery Treats $128.60
- Total Spent on Groceries and Bakery Treats We Brought Home in 2021 $277.01
Emma says
Prices at Fred Meyers have increased greatly over the last year back here in Washington.
Sandi says
Iāve lived in NJ & PA all my life so I guess Iām used to higher prices. Lately though, prices have gotten way higher. Always wanted a Winco, but none here.
Rachel says
Prices are definitely higher across the board here in Ohio.
Martha says
I agree that Hannaford is expensive, but I will buy my meats and fish there. Other that that we do a stock up at Market Basket every other month or so. I use Hannafords as more of a convenience store.
Nancy says
Agreeāstock up at market basket. Hannaford in a pinch.
Mel says
I think we’re spending more, but that’s due to the difference in how we shop these days (less freezer cooking, more online ordering, more bulk buying, and more local food) instead of where. Local meat is FAR more expensive (e.g., $7 per chicken breast). The local produce is generally cheaper though. Our CSA just added an organic winter fruit share, so we got 2 grapefruits, 9 oranges, 3 star fruit, 2 large avocados, and a mango for $14 including delivery.
And speaking of bulk buying, we bought a bulk package of cream cheese a while back that is set to expire soon, so I’ve been working on using it up. This week I made Danish, black bottom cupcakes, cream cheese pasta, cream cheese mashed potatoes, and smoked salmon spread. I still have one brick left.
suzanne says
You can freeze cream cheese Mel. Sometimes the textures a little different depending on the brand.
Mel says
Yup! I haven’t noticed a difference in brands, but I’ve found it freezes better if already used in a recipe. But I’m working on emptying our freezers, so I’m trying to avoid freezing it.
Gigi says
We like cream cheese pancakes. When my grandmother passed away, we found lots of cream cheese and some were almost 6mo expired. They were still fine to cook or eat with.
Mavis Butterfield says
Gigi we need the recipe!!! I’d love to try cream cheese pancakes. š
Melissa says
We moved to MO from WA this year and I MISS Winco so much. There’s a dearth of grocery store options here, but an abundance of WalMarts, so we do what we can. I sent Winco an email asking them to open a store here. It’s a long shot, but who knows?
Laura says
Are you anywhere near a Schnucks or Dierbergās? Both are great chains out of St. Louis. More QFC than Fred Meyer, but awesome customer service. And, what about Aldi? You are lucky to have that. They will never come to WA (too expensive to operate here). Good luck āļø!
Mary says
Have you checked to see if Azure Standard has a drop near you?
Rebecca in MD says
Grocery prices have definitely increased substantially here in Maryland over the past year. To avoid going to the grocery store we have been getting organic produce from Misfits Market, organic meats from Butcher Box, and supporting local businesses that deliver (Bowman’s Butcher, South Mountain Creamery, & Grandview Farm). I’ve never really enjoyed grocery shopping, so I really like the delivery options, and the quality has been terrific. About once a month I go to Food Lion and pick up a few things, though.
Mel says
We love South Mountain Creamery! It doesn’t deliver where we live, but our grocery store carries it.
Pat in Buffalo NY says
Rebecca, I just ordered my first box of produce from Misfits Market and am anxious to see how it arrives. I’ve never enjoyed grocery shopping either, and now I avoid it until I’m on my last roll of toilet paper, or last squeeze of toothpaste, and last cup of milk.
Mary says
Misfits is wonderful! Started last March – You can pause your subscription like during the summer months when the garden is producing. I started ours up again inJanuary when we were left with only sprouting potatoes and a big blue Hubbard left from the garden. I go on every other Wed at 4 pm to pick our box before items are sold out.
Suzanne says
Rebecca, South Mountain Creamery is so DELICIOUS! we live in Leesburg, Virginia and often make road trips to their farm to see the calves and have some ice cream. Their orange milk, strawberry and chocolate milk..just heavenly.
ALDI and Lidl are my two grocery stores where I get the most for my money, and Maryland is a regional location for ALDI on the East coast, so they are popping up more frequently. Small store, small layout and quick in & out shopping–because I don’t like grocery shopping either. š
Brianna says
Yep, buying groceries sucks. It is like a punch in the gut sometimes. It has really gotten expensive. I just bought that same pack of blueberries at Safeway and it was $5.00, the Johnsonville Sausage brats were $3.00 for Super Bowl special, a 5lb bag russet potatoes were $2.89, avocados are $1.29 for medium size, and the 5oz organic clamshell of lettuce mix was $3.00.
Jennifer says
We live in a small NC mountain town and have a WM, Food Lion and Ingles. I don’t go in Ingles because their prices have always been high, with the exception of a few sale items. Honestly, I buy 80% of our groceries at WM because their prices are better on average. Their GV breads – the wide pan kinds like multigrain and 100% whole wheat are great and comparable to Arnold’s and Pepperidge Farm, but cost $1.28 and $1.53 respectively. Their produce prices are better than FL and 50% of our groceries are produce. Food Lion still runs great sales – I just picked up 2 Boston Butts, pork shoulder for those of you who don’t call them butts, for .99#. They also have a program where it you spend a certain amount in a category in a month, you get a certain amount off your next order. Yesterday, the two butts earned me $3 off my next shopping trip. Heard not to take advantage of easy money.
To your original question, I noticed a bump last spring/summer, but not much since then. Meat and produce has held steady for the most part and I’m happy with milk/bread/staple prices since I don’t buy that much of those.
Sarah Siskin says
Prices are definitely up here in NJ this past year, and I shop at large stores, so I canāt imagine what youāre up against.
Maybe you can buy some things on Amazon?
Sue says
My theory is supermarkets lower prices a bit from the end of November through mid-late January, so people spend more there and on gifts, prior to Christmas, and are big on being cost conscious in January. But they think, come February, people will be back to spending regardless, so they raise prices and figure we wonāt really notice. But we do. Itās like changing package sizing.
Jamie N says
I had the worst experience at Winco in the beginning of December. My 17 year old son and I made 10 large gingerbread houses from scratch to give away to kids in our neighborhood. We have great neighbors, but with health problems, cancer and pregnancy, Christmas baking wasn’t going to happen for some of them and stores were sold out everywhere of premade houses. We always carol with treats, but offered to make kits they could have their kids decorate.
We went to Winco to buy ingredients and candy for decorations. The person checking out in front of me had 12 huge leaky packages of chicken. They had not put them in the plastic bags stores provide for produce and raw meat. The checker went to ring me up and I asked her to change the gloves she had on because of the raw leaky chicken she had just handled. She didn’t want to do it and ranted and tried to shame me in front of the other customers. She said there was bacteria everywhere and she can’t change gloves for every customer. I told her I understand that and know that grocery carts and belts are especially dirty, and had never asked a checker to do that before, but she was just barely touching 12 packages of leaky chicken and this candy was going to high risk families who were going to be touching it. She continued to ranted at me loudly while she started to clean the scanner, and belts around her. She kept talking about how the employees who hold all the raw meat, then go and hold the cereal boxes and your lettuce too. I just kept saying, I understand, thank you for changing your gloves after holding all that leaky chicken. I never asked her to clean her whole station, but I hope I kept someone from getting sick that day. I have never left my groceries and just walked away, but I would have if I wasn’t buying for the gingerbread houses. I am not a confrontational person and never get in heated discussions. I totally kept my cool, but this checker was crazy.
This week is Lunar New Year, so we have been making lots of Vietnamese food! Egg rolls, pho, banh tet, chicken rice soup, banh bao, Vietnamese chicken salad, etc. Happy New Year!
Marie says
Unfortunately the grocery workers in our area have been battling for months during these times. Much of it stems from the push to give them at least $15 per hour and an additional $4 bump per hour as front line workers. I realize that the grocery industry has always stated that “there is little profit in our margins” yet the press in our area continually eludes that corporations, including grocery stores, are making huge profits in 2020.
I understand your point of view and I too would ask for her to clean the entire area. She must have been over-the-top stressed as well. Funny her mgr did not respond to the “work stoppage on aisle 9” so perhaps he/she was the person who insisted on bypassing cleanliness in lieu of profits.
Women seem to be taking the entire load during these times; lets help each other out. Now I wonder if she ever bothers to wash her hands after using the restroom on her breaks…
Lana says
It has been so cold and raining constantly that we have only spent $33 total on food so far this month. Until we are completely out of perishables I am not going out iin the nasty weather.
Kristina says
Well, I can tell you from this farmer’s perspective, we aren’t getting any of that extra. Quite the opposite, our revenue has tanked. I think prices are rising here because the export market is so terrible. Started with the trade war (IMO total disaster), and then we entered the pandemic at a disadvantage, right when import/export became a big mess. I’m sorry everyone is paying more here.
Sheri says
Prices are definitely up. I feel like grocery stores ( one in particular) is gouging due to the pandemic. Prices are not posted on paper goods and if they are, they are not accurate. They are also selling expired goods.
Thankfully, we have an Aldiās for some things.
Vicki Fetui says
Well, I am in agreement with you about the price of the groceries at the beginning of your post. It seems a bit expensive for what it was. I am all for picking up when you need from the mom and pop places but when you have a need to buy “real” groceries, Market Basket (or somewhere comparable) would likely be better. I still do a lot of my shopping from Aldi’s. I am sure you remember their decent prices.
Marlene Wurtzbacher says
I think that food in general is going up in price. Living in Northern Vermont I was told that it is because we are at the end of the food chain. I like Hannafordās but have to drive a distance to it. Lots of Shaws up here but I am not fond of them. Really wish we had a Market Basket. We do have a small grocery store in town that has really worked on having having items for all pocket books and I like supporting them. As they say, āyou pay to live hereā. We retired here and wouldnāt want to live any where else, except for the coast of Maine!!
Mary says
Marlene – weāre in Northern Vt also and our family owned in town market actually has great prices and specials. Thereās a Price chopper 40 minutes in either direction but lately I just donāt have the energy or motivation to do all their coupons and push the cart around that huge store!
Bonnie says
I feel for you. Our groceries have gotten a little bit higher in Georgia, but not like yours. Walmart & Aldi are the best overall prices, like deli meat i go to ingles for the Boars Head brand. I am totally spoiled it’s yumminess!! Aldi’s bread is .95 for honey wheat bread. That’s an example of one my faves there. Also, their chicken breast is usually $1.89 or lower a lb. I bout fell over when i saw someone’s post about $7 for a chicken breast.
Marti says
I have limited grocery stores to choose from in my area–Woodmans, Festival, Walmart, and Aldis. I refuse to shop at Walmart, Woodmans isn’t convenient for me, Festival is awesome but can be pricey and I love my Aldis. They always have great fruit at reasonable prices. They don’t carry everything on my list but I save so much by shopping there.
Linda says
I’m relocating to WA from TX and am quite concerned at the higher cost of groceries. I do know how to stretch a dollar but it’s going to be a challenge. I’ll certainly miss Aldi.
Barbara says
I think grocery prices have gone up everywhere.
We shop mostly at Shaws in Bath and occasionally at Hannaford. We do have an IGA store about 17 miles from our home that I think is well worth the ride.
Carolina Cooper says
Down here in the “south” (ME/NH border) we have Aldi’s, Market Basket, Hannaford, Shaw’s, Target and Walmart for groceries. There are some of these stores in ME, but most folks cross over into NH because of no tax on groceries on the NH side. I like Target because I can order on the app and they bring it right out to my car in less than 2 hours. But my #1 go-to is Market Basket, because of the low prices and great customer service. Hannaford DEFINITELY has higher prices and I only go there for their AMAZING $1 crab cakes. Shaw’s seems to me to have the highest prices in the area.
Katie says
We moved from Northern Virginia to Montana, and I really miss Aldi and Wegmans. I do most of my shopping at Costco and fill in the blanks at Albertsons or one of our smaller markets. We have Walmart, but I donāt go there. We have a Winco opening this week, Iām excited to have it as another option!
Leslie says
How about a post on Hannaford vs Makes Basket prices? I’m curious š
Sandra Cirello says
Hi Mavis,
You got quite a few meals from your $64.78 purchase from Hannaford. Only a few things at the Mom&Pop Place for $32.85. You really aren’t starving with all the food pictures you post. Come On Girl, I Love When Your Positive With Life and Shopping For Pies!!