When I was married, one of the biggest (ok, most frequent) fights we had was over grocery shopping. Yes, really.
I prefer to do the grocery shopping. Partly because we keep kosher, and I had been more familiar with the requirements for foods under this regimen. Partly because it takes me 30 minutes to shop. (I should add that we don’t buy any meat from the local grocery store, because they fail to carry kosher meats and poultry. But, I am most certainly ‘a man on a mission’ when I leave the house to return 35 minutes later bearing six or seven grocery bags.) But, mostly because I don’t see why someone else would spend so much money at the store.
I can comparison shop among sizes and brands in a heartbeat. That simple arithmetic ($ 1.24 for an 7 ounce size, and $ 2.32 for the more popular [and now shrunken from 1 pound] 13 ounce size) is a breeze for me, given my “inquisition” at the hands of my grandfather beginning at the age of 3 or so.
But, it’s mostly due to the fact, that I have no problems buying “store” brands. Because I know what that store brand really is- most of the time. Consider something I don’t buy. Doritos. You know those fancy corn chips manufactured, marketed, and distributed by Frito-Lay (Pepsi Cola owned). And, Safeway sells these exact same chips under their own store brand- at greatly discounted prices.
The stores don’t want to talk about this phenomenon, because it will tick off their suppliers. Who are desperately trying to convince you of the value of their brands. To get more shelf space at the stores (which is part of the bargain involved, when they produce the store brand in the first place).
But, I have an easy way of determining this store-brand phenomenon. Because I know which brands are certified as kosher. You can, too. Those little marks on the cans, jars, bags, and boxes on the sides of the product. The Union of Orthodox Rabbis (OU, which really is a U with a circle around it), OK Certification, and Star K are the big three, and the others in the picture above are Kof-K (Teaneck Vaad), Triangle-K (the Ralbag brothers), and the Chicago Board of Rabbis (CRC). (There are about 130 reputable certifiers of products.)
These entities publish the list of products they certify. From soup to nuts, from junk food to organic, from natural to processed. And, back again. And, given that they often certify one or two products in a certain category, it becomes pretty obvious if that Safeway, Kroger, Giant, Harris Teeter brand sports that same symbol, it means that they are repackaged brands from some major vendor. And, if both Safeway and Brand X (really a major brand) sport the same kosher authority, then….
For example, if you are like me (and most people), you buy your tuna fish based upon price and quality. Which means that you will buy Chicken of the Sea, Bumble Bee, or StarKist brands- whichever is cheaper. But, you know what? Safeway’s brand is 20 cents cheaper. And, look- it has an OU on the label. Hmmm. Do you really want to spend 20 cents more for that same product, when Safeway already repackaged it for you?
The same concept applies to a whole bunch of brands. It pays (literally) to ascertain who makes that store brand. Your pocketbook will reward you…
Grocery Shopping http://t.co/4YH33Y2lCx via @Adjuvancy
Grocery shopping http://t.co/dyaYVM3Upc
I had a former aunt years ago that worked for a place in Marion Ohio that made/packages some kind of junk food and right now it’s slipping my mind. I want to say it was some kind of cheese puff…anywho…I was young around 18ish or so I think and she explained that very thing. She was in the packaging department, and they would do so many of the name brand a week and then do the store brands. Same product different wrapping. Amazing what we buy (literally) into.
Great informative post, Roy. The only argument you’d get from me for doing the shopping is if I am expected to cook, and you shop in such a way that I don’t have an understanding of the meal plan for the week. Other than that, shop away…I can’t stand shopping of any kind. I’ve been told I’m like a guy by my girl friends. I go into X store with what I need in mind, pick it up, and get the heck out. No window shopping, no browsing for crap I didn’t come in for in and out…that goes for whatever I’m buying…and since I’m perpetuating my bag lady mythos no clothes shopping either 😛 HUGS!
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Well, that may explain it- since I am now the full-time cook, but, even when I didn’t, I knew to buy the ingredients that would afford opportunities for a multitude of meals.
Thanks for amplify the blog with your personal recollection, Lisa- and that is exactly correct, as well.
And, I’ll remember to carry some change with me, should I pass you on the street…
A clue to identifying what’s behind the store brands. This is great info to keep in mind when shopping. I will now look for Kosher symbols!
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I had no idea about the labels for kosher foods. I also didn’t reailze Safeway’s on the east coast. Under the name Safeway anyway.
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Safeway is one of the largest national brands, Marie. And, that’s not why there are kosher labels, but it does offer a savvy consumer a leg up…
I agree with you one your points. It might be the way you presented your points that created the battles that you had. In our house if you think you can do it better go for it. And if you buy it you fry it or cook it. If you complain about it you do dishes. So with grocery shopping being the evil it is I have suggested that we suspend this activity and go out for dinner. This has been met with resistance…
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Actually, Shawn, that never worked in this house. The rule is one cooks, other does the dishes. And, we rarely used the dishwasher (even when the kids were home- unless it was an elaborate dinner, with many dishes- and we did have 7 of us), because that uses more water than handwashing. So, it was a battle to cook, instead of washing the dishes. And, grocery shopping is not an evil; wasting money, buying brand names that have no added value, buying the wrong size that costs more, buying one brand over another due to advertising and not value- those are the incorrect issues.
And, going out to eat — more expensive, lower value, and fewer choices than cooking for the family… (Oh, we go out, but only when the value of the offering exceeds the value of home-eating… and, that value can be a reward for a job well done, the overworked parents, etc.)
This is a great point Roy. OTC Medications are one of the biggest examples of this. The exact same ingredients, in teh exact same amounts, and all packaged in the same facility as the name brand, all for about 1/2 what the name brand product costs. You are right about the store too. They cannot tick off the name brand guys, but then again, their product margins are actually higher on the lower priced store brands. It’s a balancing act.
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Bill:
I am not sure you can say that about OTC medicines at all. Most OTC drugs are made by OTC companies. Some of them are very good (Teva comes to mind).
But, there were a slew of them (Forest Laboratories, for example) that needed to be avoided like the plague. (OK, that was one side-effect they did NOT provide.)
And, there are at least two major pieces of litigation right now about OTC versions of drugs that are trying to pawn off their failures on the brand manufacturer, which is an error that our legal system allows to be perpetrated. But, generally, you are right, OTC drugs are a bargain. And, unfortunately for me, many of the drugs that I would need are NOT available as an OTC.
On the other hand, when I was running a medical firm, many folks considered what we offered to be “generic”- but there were vast differences- from our labeling system (which was color coded to make it easier for nurses and techs to grab the right one)- to our quality standards…
Other than that- I am in total agreement 🙂
I like http://t.co/0NQZYeQhuC
Why buy name brand when store brand is the same. http://t.co/hwdAONe52F
I almost always buy store brand items when I can. Why pay more when you probably can’t tell the difference anyway? Great topic, Roy.
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I am not willing to agree that store brands are always equivalent. For example, many of the store brands of toilet tissue are, at best second rate. (I can’t vouch for those that lack the kosher sign, for obvious reasons…) But, saving money is ALWAYS a good idea- regardless of the economic conditions, Ann.
Thanks for the great information. I’ll print out those label markers for my next trip to Publix.
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Now, that I said that, I have found that Publix almost always chooses the store brand for products that are not kosher- so the list may not help you as much, Bonnie.
It’s why I avoid Publix, generally.
Making grocery shopping cheaper while not sacrificing quality: http://t.co/6WQCP73poB
This makes me look at shopping in a whole new way. Thanks, Roy! Fantastic post as always.
I hate grocery shopping and usually mindlessly pick things up on my list and get the heck out of there. But it might do me a bit of good to stop for a minute and LOOK at what I am buying. 😉
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Angie- thanks for that great comment!
And, I can guarantee you it takes no more time to examine your purchases than it does to just pick something up- since I check each purchase and I am done in 30 minutes flat.
I never knew about the kosher labels. I always thought it was written out on the product. I am very willing to buy “store” brands, but I don’t think I ever thought they were the same as the brand names. I never really thought about where they were made. I learned something today – thanks Roy!
Glad to be the bearer of valuable information, Suerae. Maybe you can save a little with these tidbits!
I remember my manager telling me this at the first grocery store I worked at. Sometimes the store brands are really good, such as the ones at Target or Whole Foods. (I don’t know if they’re kosher though)
Laurel @Let’s Go on a Picnic! recently posted..How to Make a Behavior Chart for Children
Target does use some kosher repackagings. I don’t patronize Whole Foods, so I have no idea, Laurel… But, check it out for yourself and save!
Great Information Doctor. And I can use this when I go shopping. Years ago I learned the Old Grand Dad Whiskey and Safeway brands are the same but Safeway offered the better price. I know longer drink but it is a fact that stores like walmart and walgreens purchase quality products under their brand. The first clue should be the fact that they are willing to put their name on the product.
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Wow- Safeway sells liquor…. What a difference. Around here, only the Commonwealth does, Chef William. So glad you knew about those things before- a dollar saved is equivalent to a dollar earned!
I have to be honest Roy, once I read the first paragraph, my mind kept asking “what about the *other* fights?”
Gordon, {off to jot down ideas for own new blog series}
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Oh, there were plenty of those, Gordon- as is true of most families. But, ours ceased (because of divorce).
Well, the problem for me is that I always get tempted when I go to a store. I do my grocery shopping online and I have an application that checks the price compared to similar brands. That said, I can’t start to imagine how complicated it would be for us if we were eating kosher!
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Really? You do grocery shopping on line? That is something I never considered- since most of what I buy is fresh fruit and vegetables. (OK, I buy meat and fish at the kosher market.)
And, how do you know that the online service is the cheapest alternative, Muriel? I am sure it will compare prices it has for all choices, but not compared to the grocery stores in the area.
Finally, shopping for kosher is not an issue…(I have it on good authority from my ex-wife, who had never kept kosher before we married.)