grocery shopping, products and prices

After a conversation with a vegan friend about almond milk, I decided to peruse three various health food stores in my neighborhood for (cow) milk alternatives with the exception of soy (I'm allergic). An interesting observation I made, not for the first time, was the difference in price of identical products in various supermarkets and health food stores. Something to note before I continue: most supermarkets on the Upper East Side of Manhattan are ridiculously expensive. A box of Tazo Tea which can be purchased for about $5 at Starbucks (yes, Starbucks) goes for about $8 at the Gristedes up here. It's ridiculous! Health food stores generally have a reputation for being very expensive, and many of their products are quite pricey, but certain items are actually much less costly. Quinoa, for example, was at least half the cost and sunflower seeds were about one third. I was happy to notice that one health food store carried four brands of rice milk, three brands of almond milk and one each of oat milk and hazelnut milk. And, guess what, the prices were either equivalent to or cheaper than the (cow's) milk at the supermarket.

Something to remember: if you have time, explore various grocery and healthfood stores and compare prices; you'll be surprised at how much you can save by purchasing certain items at different places!