We have 3 in my town. One opened less than a year ago. I rarely go to the downtown co-op. Clientele can be iffy and I find some of the people working there snooty. I go to the other two for items but I don't do my main shopping there. It would be kind of expensive. We have had Trader Joe's in my town for about 10 years and I do a lot of shopping there. Today I went to the newest health food store and bought a few things including vitamins. Sometimes I buy junky type foods there too including frozen. I'd like to go to a Whole Foods some day. I've never been in one. I think the closest is 1 1/2 hours plus away. I've heard it called "whole paycheck" and there is a funny parody on YouTube something "whole foods parking lot" I don't know how to embed videos.
My favorite store is Trader Joe's and I go almost every day. Whole Foods is expensive and not worth it in my opinion so I seldom go but do have one in Fresno. TJ's is only about 1.5 miles from my house ...I could walk if I wasn't so lazy. We also have a couple Sprouts but I seldom go there....although now that I think of it one is near an In-N-Out Burger...and I'm craving one but will wait til after the weekend.
Yes, that's the one. Thank you for finding and posting it Chrissy! "Pay my eighty bucks for six things." LOL. Trader Joe's has good prices. I still want to check out a Whole Foods some day. Doubt one will come to this area.
Heath Foods.........? We like our regular foods way to much to even think about going into a Heath Foods store. Only kidding, but in some ways true.
No I never have. Alot of the regular stores are carrying organic grown products now so that's as close as I've gotten to this. And sometimes shopping at Farmer's markets where they have a lot of organically grown food too.
Regular grocery stores are selling more and more items that could only be found in health food type stores a few years ago. This stuff clearly is selling on more would not be appearing on the shelves. Which is good because it's often cheaper in regular grocery stores.
Only once for bean sprouts. I was trying out being a vegetarian. I survived a week - that's how long it took me to eat 'some' of those bean sprouts. I much rather eat Chinese.
I think we might not have any actual health food stores close by, except there is/was a GNC vitamin store down at the shopping mall. We recently got in a Whole Foods Market, and Bobby and I went in just to see what they had. Plain old frying chicken was $10 per pound there ! Way, way out of our budget. I didn't see any kind of exclusive items there, just very high prices on regular items that all stores carry. We have not been back since. We also have a Fresh Market, which is very expensive as well, and not exactly a health food market; but they do carry some unusual items that most stores do not carry. My favorite would have to be Earthfare ! They are not close to us; but when we are down that direction, I love going in there. Everything is expensive there, too. The same Greek Gods yogurt that Kroger carries is a $1 more per container than it sells for at Kroger. However, all of their fruit and veggies are organic, and look beautiful, they also carry whole raw milk, and a great section with different herbal teas and different coffees. This is usually what I look at, although if we could afford it, I would do all of my shopping at Earthfare, or at least their organic fresh veggies and dairy that most stores do not carry. We also go to the Farmer's Market, which has fresh local produce. The prices are higher there than the same item at the store; but the flavor difference of the fresh tomatoes makes the price difference well worth it. Plus, we are helping out local farmers, and I like that part, too.
Not sure if this counts, but we shop at an Asian Market for our Rice and spices. Great selection of brands I'm familiar with and the produce is top notch. Pretty healthy stuff can be had there. ( I'm hooked on the candy and cracked seed section...)
Oh, YES ! ! We have an Asian market just down the street about a mile, and they have a great selection of rice and Asian vegetables. The owners are Korean, and very nice people. I usually get my daikon radishes from there, and rice when we need it. They have some interesting selections of unusual fruits, veggies, and even some teas that are not normally found in regular stores. I have tried their kimchi; but I didn't like it very much, although I am still making some at home occasionally because I know that it is a very healthy food.
Ah, Kimchi... Seems every friend I had in high school had Kimchi in their kitchen. We would get into it after school, hanging out. Kimchi sandwiches. ( we were kids and would eat just about anything! ) One friend's mom made the best and I wish I had the recipe now.