Supermarket Recommendation
 

Hubby and I will be moving down at the end of the month and need to do a full grocery shopping...you know...all the staples, plus regular foods, paper goods, etc. Where will I find the best value for my money..Publix, SweetBay, or WalMart? Which has the best produce, meats?

We have found Publix to be very satisfactory and while we like Sweetbay, it seems to be a bit more expensive, nothing scientific, just seems to be. We are about to do some cost comparisons with Publix and Walmart, but don't want to fix something that is not broke. There are 3-4 in the villages.

Skip the grocery, sell all your stove and turn your kitchen into a den. Eat out, save money and loose weight.

Hubby does the food shopping and cooking....Yup, I got kicked out of the kitchen because he loves to cook. Fine with me!

Bill first shopped only at Publix and then decided to try Walmart. Some of the items were considerably less at Walmart than Publix. So now he shops at both places, but finds his better deals at Walmart. Walmart also has the convenience of the garden shop, hardware, electronics and housewares, hairdressers, eyeglasses, etc. which is convenient for one-stop shopping and open 24 hours.

I find Publix has more variety, but Sweetbay to be superior in the fresh foods dept. with better produce and better meats. The dairy also is cheaper than Publix where I buy half-n-half for my coffee at $3.89 a gallon instead of $4.39 at Publix.

Wal-Mart is cheaper than both, but doesn't have the all varieties you might want, but you can't beat them for the price of fresh foods, breads, dairy and soft drinks.

Wal*Mart or Sam's Club would be the place to start for the staples and household supplies. When you finish shopping there, you can go to Publix, Sweetbay, or Fresh Market for the rest. Publix has awesome baked goods, by the way.

I agree with Carla. Walmart for staples, cleaning supplies, pharmacy. Then Fresh Market for the yummy stuff (plus a pleasant shopping ambiance).

Wal-Mart for the staples; Sam's for the cleaning supplies and some staples (depending on how much storage room you have); Publix for bread products; SweetBay for most produce (hate Publix's packaging the produce rather than letting us pick through and get our own); Fresh Market for the special stuff; check ads for deals between Publix, SweetBay, Winn-Dixie. Also, Albi's is a great place to save money, but you never know if they're going to have what you want. Still well worth checking out.

Aldi's: Best Prices. Poor selection
Wal-Mart: Good Prices Good Selection
Publix: Love to shop here. Prices not as good as first 2

Queen of Grocery Shopping
 

ok, I know I've got a lot of competition, but I consider myself the queen of grocery shopping. Here's what I do (but bear in mind I LIKE to grocery shop and I also like to cook):

Aldi's and Sam's Club every couple of weeks or so - for what Aldi's has, their prices are super (and maybe I shouldn't share this info, but check out the frozen crab cakes and frozen salmon and shrimp ).

Sam's has great meats (we like their frozen Angus burgers, strip steaks, Rotisserie chicken, boneless chicken breasts) and cheeses at great prices, and I also like to get their Artisan lettuces (used to get the Spring Mix, like the Artisan better - and it lasts a good 2 weeks kept in the crisper). Also love their whole grain crackers and the Roaster's Choice Donut Blend coffee (almost half the cost of Dunkin Donuts - both 2.5 lbs. at Sam's). Also get most of our sundries - shampoo, deod, sunscreen, etc. there.

I make a list every week from the grocery ads on Wed. and stock up on their loss leaders (sale items) and the odds and ends to fill in. Usually Publix and Sweetbay, sometimes Winn Dixie, but that's not as convenient for me.

Now that I'm retired and have the time, I clip some coupons, but they don't double them here like in Ohio and I find most coupons are for processed stuff, but helps a little bit.

I would agree that Walmart overall prices are lower, but they don't seem to have big sale items. I will pick up a couple of things if I'm going to the garden center, but in general I just don't enjoy shopping there for some reason. Checkout seems to always take awhile, for one thing.

For some odd reason I haven't figured out yet, produce seems a lot higher in Florida than in Ohio grocery stores, but farmers' markets are cheaper, whereas in Ohio they are quite a bit more expensive than grocery stores. I don't like the crowds at Marion Market, and the Webster market is too far, so I am planning on trying the market in Lady Lake, but keep forgetting which day it is. Have been to Wildwood once, which is on Sat., but not a lot of selection the time we tried it (before Christmas).

After all this, I note you're just coming for a month. So throw all I said out the door and just go to Walmart and Publix and Sweetbay - spend more time golfing and at the pool!

Wal-Mart for price - by far.
Publix for Bake Goods.
Publix and Sweet Bay for specials.

As all the previous posters have said, you're probably going to find a combination of items at different stores that will work the best for your needs. But you're also liable to find that you'll be having so much fun in TV that you won't want to be diddling around with doing your own cooking!!

Bill :)

Is there a butcher closeby?
 

We will be arriving about May 1st moving down from MA and we are used to buying our meats from a local butcher rather than the supermarket. My husband loves to cook and it is just one of our little luxuries that we indulge in by shopping at a butcher and we buy our pastas fresh from a local Italian restaurant. Will we be giving that up? Can't wait to move down!

Norm and Gisele

When I move to TV, I will be very sad to leave my favorite grocery store....Wegmans. They started out in upstate NY and now have stores in MD, PA, NJ, VA. Any Wegmans fans out there?

I think that Sweetbay and Freshmarket have the best produce; although the other places mentioned are also fine for produce. You asked about where to get the best meats, and if you like grass-fed beef, the only place that I have found where you can get that locally is at Publix (although the availability of various cuts varies somewhat from day to day, so it helps to order ahead if you want something in particular), or you can get grass-fed bison at Freshmarket. If you like spoiling yourself try a grass-fed t-bone steak from Publix; heavenly taste, not to mention how much healthier, and so worth the little additional cost; same for burgers from the grass-fed ground beef (two brands are carried) available at Publix.

Gosh ! This has been the best thread on TOTV - ever ! I gotta print this out and put with my wife's grocery list. So many great ideas and suggestions..

I have found the Dollar Stores for cleaning supplies/paper products and some basic condiments.

Family Dollar 466A and Hwy 301
Dollar General in Lady Lake

Otherwise Walmart for prices as others have posted and Publix for variety of produce, bakery and food stuffs.

Enjoy your stay in the villages......

Don't forget the Commissary if you are military. Hubs said there is one about 30 miles from TV but I don't remember the name. NOTHING beats commissary prices. We plan a major shopping trip there when we arrive since we are not bringing any cleaning stuff. New house, new broom...LOL

Would be interested in the 30 mile distant commissary location. We've been down to MacDill AFB a couple of time. Not sure about the savings now with gas the price it is but we enjoying the day trip, as we were stationed there 50 years ago. Want to also go over to Patrick AFB but have not done so, its a bit further I think. I'm not so sure about nothing beating commissary prices, but there are certain items that still fall in that category. After shopping only commissaries for 49 years it is good to get used to a real hnest to goodness grocery store. We like the one at MacDill which was no doubt built with the retired population in mind.

Wegman's
 

Francie.....let's start a petition to get Wegman's in TV. It's THE BEST! I'll miss Wegman's, our Olympic-sized indoor pool and all my wonderful friends when I move to TV.....but sure won't miss the cold and the snow!:cold:

Hi Norm and Gisele, we're from Mass too. While I like Publix, Walmart, Sam's and Sweetbay, I find that Sweetbay's has things I'm more familiar with since their in the same company as Hannafords, which you probably know is from New England. Whenever we're there, we always seem to find something from back "home". If memory serves me correctly, I thought I saw a meat store in Wildwood once when we came in by Rt. 75, but someone more familiar with the area might confirm this, and if so, if it's any good. By the way, Sweetbay makes an incredible carrotcake log that the workers tell me that they can't keep on the shelf. I always order a couple before we leave for my son. Since we hopefully (fingers crossed) will down full time in May, he'll be picking up his own when he visits!

walmart is cheapest, publix is very nice and a good deal when something is on sale, including meat. Sams if you buy stuff in bulk.

For example. Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup (the no mix kind)
$1.50 at walmart, $2.29 at Publix.

But Publix is great for convenience and sales. Very friendly and helpful too.
I'm not big on Sweet Bay.

Hey Swimdawg,
I see you are from Wheatfield, NY...me to. Heading down to TV on 4/1 for a couple of weeks!

This is why I LOVE TV...Everyone is soooo helpful. Wow...three pages of great information. Thanks everyone!!

I've never heard of Aldi's. What type of store and where is it?

Can anyone tell me what the annual membership fee is for Sam's Club?

We've just signed a contract on our NJ home :pepper2: So, we'll be FROGS soon!!

Aldi
 

is located between lowes hardware and walmart on 441/27....Usually the best price for milk (2.99 gal) and bananas (.39 lb)....Also when shopping Publix BOGO (Buy one,Get one) deals....I go online and make my list....
Hope you have a great time in paradise...

Navy Exchange near Orlando Airport
 

There is a pretty good sized Navy Exchange (NEX) located just before the Orlando Airport. Take the Conway exit just before the airport exit off the Beach Line. As you drive down the off ramp, take a right turn and travel less than 1 mile, it will be on the right. Has a good PX, Grocery and Liqour Store.

I think Sam's is $35 or $40 (can't remember which). I've found it to be worth the price. Think I save enough money on my Cokes and cat supplies alone to make it worth the annual membership.

Think I paid $40 Red
 

but I like you think it is well worth the fee..

You know my wife and her thoughts!

Army Guy

Wegman's
 

Francie and swimdawg: my eyes teared up when I read your posts--there will never be anything like Wegman's! When anyone came to visit us in our upstate NY home, Wegman's was #1 on the sight-seeing list. Aside from leaving family and friends, it was difficult to say goodbye to my fave store when we moved here. Maybe we could start a support group and have tee shirts & hats & a special handshake--waddya think? As many have stated, WalMart is great for prices, but I like shopping at Publix as well. Living here is the best thing ever--even without Wegman's.

Weman's
 

Whoops.....just realized I missed the "g" In Wegman's and I can't figure out how to correct it.
Will there be a support group for people who go thru "Wegman's Withdrawal" when they move to TV from our area? Well, I guess I'll handle it because I really don't like to cook to begin with! How about Tim Horton's in TV? A good second would be Dunkin' Donuts :mornincoffee:

There will be a Dunkin Donuts at Spanish Springs opening soon.

Dunkin' Donuts
 

Grrrrreat! :BigApplause:

Here is your post
 

Back at the top!

Prefer DD coffee over Starbucks.:mornincoffee:

Wegmans :BigApplause:

did someone say coupons?
 

Don't forget to use your websites. These are like coupon clearing houses. They can tell you how to stack store coupons & manufacturers coupons using the adds. I am not sure who does Publix...but be sure to check out Hip2 save...she lists many of the stores you use. Maybe someone there know who does Publix. Todays kids do coupons on steroids...not just clipping coupons...they print them from sites on-line.

We have decided to not renew our Sam's membership next year because we have a Costco membership ($35) that we use in CA (an hour and 15 minute drive from our mountain top retreat to Santa Rosa)and can also drive an hour and 15 minute to Altamonte Springs, FL from TV. No Sam's club near us in CA, Costco's are twice the size of Sam's Club stores, only want to get lifetime supplies of TP, Paper Towels, Raisin Bran, coffee, cat food and cat litter (and our cats miss the Costco cat food), etc; so we can get by with a trip every other month like we do in CA and save the $40 Sam's membership. OR we can do like we did last year and sign up for Sam's in TV and before we left for CA tell them we didn't want to be members any longer and get the $40 refunded. We still made two trips to Costco last year tho.


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