Whole Foods: Wegmans on Acid…on Steroids
While living in Scranton, I constantly came across people who would complain about the high food prices at Wegmans. I never quite understood what they were griping about. Until Jude started eating solid food, I was able to feed Josh and myself for under $60/week, and about 75% of our shopping list was comprised of organic items. I was able to keep our bill low by not buying any meat most weeks and by making simple meals. My dinner table did not house the most fancy meals on the block, but they were (for the most part) well-rounded, nutritious, and tasty
Upon our arrival in the Windy City, we went out in search of a grocery store to shop at. We wanted a place that sold local and/or organic produce, sprouted breads and bagels, organic and/or raw cheese, etc. What we found, at our first stop at least, were a few organic produce and pantry items. I was barely able to find 100% whole wheat bread, never mind sprouted bread. It sounds silly, but I was really disheartened. I LOVE Wegmans. I love the feel of the place and the quality of the food they have available. I never thought I’d find love like that again.
Oh, readers. How I was mistaken. Yesterday, Josh, Jude and I ventured to Whole Foods. I had wanted to avoid shopping there, if possible, both because it’s a huge company (I would prefer to support a locally owned store) and because I had been told it was super expensive. Yesterday, in my desperation, I went to scout it out. The store is about 2 miles from our place, which means it will take us about 20 minutes to get there by city bus (I could get there more quickly by taking the Red Line, but that would mean me having to carry my shopping cart up about 40 stairs, and homey don’t play that). Upon entering, I was overcome with a familiar feeling…it felt like home. It seemed a bit bigger than Wegmans, and the layout will take some getting used to, but I was super pleased with their selection and the helpfulness of their staff (one girl offered to walk me through the store when she heard that I was new to the area and had never been to a Whole Foods before). The best part was finding out first hand that the prices are really, really comparable to Wegmans prices.
I am thrilled to have found such a great place at which to shop. Finding a store that I feel comfortable at has made me feel more comfortable here in general. Crazy, right? I don’t know. There’s something to be said about knowing that in aisle 13 there’s a whole section dedicated to Ezekiel bread, and that something is: awesome!