Where to grocery shop in California and Oregon?

IFALLSMICHELLE · #1 (**permalink**) 05-25-2009, 10:13 PM

We will be on a month long vacation this summer in NW California and SW Oregon, any suggestions on which chains to shop at for the best deals and selection of organic and natural foods?

Any special programs at the stores that I should know about?

On vacations in the past, I have gotten store cards for specials since it has been well worth it. I remember getting one at Safeway in CA a few years ago. The cashier suggested it to save us money - how nice of her!

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I have always wanted to shop at Trader Joes, I hope we will see one on the trip.

ocean_brez · #2 (**permalink**) 05-26-2009, 04:45 AM

Getting a store card (even if only for a short time) is always a good thing to get around here. Especially when it comes to getting the advertised "club card" discount/price. Better to have extra cards and put them aside when you get home, then to not have one and have to pay full price. *gasp!*

I am in Southern CA and so I am not totally familiar with the stores in Northern CA, but I will give you the run down of the programs that we have here.

Ralphs - doubles 1st coupon up to $1 max (i.e. 75¢ coupon will get an extra 25¢ off to equal $1 off, 40¢ will get an extra 40¢ off to equal 80¢ off, etc.). Second coupon will scan at face value. Store card required to get savings. I am thinking that they have their own brand of Organics but I can't remember what it is.

Vons - coupon policy same as Ralphs. Store card required to get savings. Carries mostly O Organics line of organic products.

Albertsons - does not double coupons. Store card required to get savings. Carries mostly Wild Harvest brand of organics.

Stater Bros. - does not double coupons. No store card required.

Food 4 Less - does not double coupons. No store card required.

Trader Joe's - does not double coupons. No store card required. => I absolutely LOVE this store and hope that you can find one near you! :)

Henry's Farmers Market - does not double. No store card required. It's name says it all. Carries a huge line of organic produce and products.

Boney's Marketplace - does not double. No store card required. Not as good as Henry's, but does carry a lot of organic products as well as produce.

Hope this helps, if only a little bit. :)

IFALLSMICHELLE · #3 (**permalink**) 05-26-2009, 01:45 PM

WOW, thank you Ocean Brez, I am going to print this out and take it with us.

I really appreciate all the information!!! You are lucky to live in CA, I love it there!!!
I am starting to count down the days until we leave.

jujubee · #4 (**permalink**) 05-26-2009, 02:19 PM

Have a nice vacation! We're going to DC this weekend, and you better bet I'm hunting down a Trader Joes. I hope you find one, too!

ocean_brez · #5 (**permalink**) 05-26-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IFALLSMICHELLE

WOW, thank you Ocean Brez, I am going to print this out and take it with us.

I really appreciate all the information!!! You are lucky to live in CA, I love it there!!!
I am starting to count down the days until we leave.

You're welcome! :)

hotcouponmama · #6 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 07:01 AM

In Oregon, besides safeway and albertsons, check out Fred Meyer (huge natural foods and organic produce selection), Haggen, and Thriftway.

IFALLSMICHELLE · #7 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 02:13 PM

"In Oregon, besides safeway and albertsons, check out Fred Meyer (huge natural foods and organic produce selection), Haggen, and Thriftway."

Thank you for the additional suggestions. I bet we will be checking out Fred Meyer, my parents loved shopping there in Alaska.