Florida is a peninsula. That means everything must be brought into the state by truck, boat or by train. That costs more money because of the distance involved. The cost is past on to the buyer. It's a little like living on an island. We don't grow much in Florida. We do have cattle and sugar cane. We don't manufacture much here. We once had oranges but that's not what it once was. Floridas big thing is tourists and retirees. If the prices are aimed at The Villages only, then I think that might be because of what The Villages charges any store on its property to do business. Again, that gets passed on.

What?

Say what?! :oops:

So how are goods brought into states...that are not a 'peninsula?'

Florida does have cattle but from what I understand, there are few cattle processed into food here. Have read that many are sent elsewhere for fattening and processing.

Trucks, boats, trains. :D

Sometimes [emoji574]



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Florida, like Cape Cod, is mostly seasonal residents and tourists. Therefore, the overhead is higher in off season verses income.

I really don't find TV prices higher than the rest of Florida, or "back home"

As for Turners Falls, it is an old mill town with high unemployment, run down houses, looked like most on welfare. We did a foliage trip and stopped at the grocery store mentioned by OP. Old, run down, and dirty.
To compare it to Publix, night and day. Even restroom was filthy.

:agree:

:BigApplause:

Groceries are the same for us no matter what. Course I’m the one still shopping online that nobody believes I buy 80% of my groceries.

I get free shipping, any sales on that day, and even coupons are applied. Groceries on my doorstep in a matter of hours or 2 day ship. Either way I know exactly what I’m paying and the app tells me if I can buy it cheaper somewhere else.

I don’t have to fight the crowds stand in lines and basically have more time in my life to enjoy. When we are out and about, We shop Trader Joe’s, and Costco. Off campus grocery’s are cheaper.

Some subjects, as this one, isn't posted to provide solutions.....because aside from spending your life shopping at other stores, there isn't one, but is posted to either see how many are in agreement and how many offer a wider view. The usual suggestion to move is normal, not unusual but also accomplishes nothing. TOTV with few exceptions is an adversarial board....so it's important we cool our jets, it is what it is.

Exactly. It is also called comparison shopping and knowing the prices from store to store. Walmart is not always the cheapest, but often the highest. I buy one staple at Publix for $2.59, even sometimes 2/$4.00; the same staple at Walmart is $2.78 always. Publix has items that Walmart does not carry; Walmart has items that Publix does not carry. Another poster was right about the BOGO's, too. That will bring the prices way down. I just don't understand the people that will only buy one on the BOGO's. Take both and share with someone like a neighbor or a food bank. It isn't costing anymore. On the two-for items, you only have to buy one at Publix to get the discounted price; other places, you have to buy two or pay full price. I go to Aldi's, if and when, I am in the area of Aldi's. Publix is right around the corner and Walmart is almost as close. No Winn Dixie is close.

It all pretty much comes down to preference. What I prefer is not what someone else prefers and vice-versa. As a side note, we always paid less for seafood "back home" in cattle country than when we would come to Florida to visit family before we moved here or even knew The Villages existed. And besides, they live on the east coast of Florida. At one time, we owned a vacation home in Destin, FL, on the gulf. Same thing. I never have figured that one out.

The add posted was from Food City. Isn’t that a discount food store similar to the Aldis concept?

:agree:

Super markets
 

Well, jumping in, we live up north, NYS, southwest of Buffalo. Have a home in TV and look forward to spend the winter months there. Positive all the way with one exception, grocery shopping. Food is more expensive here, the quality of fresh fruits and vegetables Is lacking. But we are willing to trade off for the sunshine, etc. our major vendors are Wegmans, Tops, and Aldis. Wegmans best for fruits and veggies. Cheese joiners are numerous to say the least. Olive bar could supply a appetizer night at your home. When in season they use local farms for produce, sweet corn, melons, squash, tomatoes, string beans, etc,etc. They also deal with Organic farms to satisfy that need. Tops Mkts are big, they have just about everything you need or look for. Vast selection, BIG SALES, Bogor, etc. And of course we all know Aldis.
Do we miss Wegmans? of course, do we miss horizontal snow? You betcha!!
PS: I miss the star ruby grapefruit. Big, deep red interior, and incredibly juicy. Wegmans always has those.