Watch out for coupons and for specials.
This weekend, we went there for the first time and I was able to use a store coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon stacked to get some shaving cream for free (it was priced at $9!) and they had 4lb bags of oranges for $3.50 each, so we got 2 of those. Around here, $1/lb is a good price for oranges so I felt like that was a really good deal.
One important thing to know (that a lot of people hate hearing) is that the terms “organic” and “natural” are honestly just marketing terms. “Organic” produce can be treated with the exact same pesticides that “nonorganic” produce is treated with. “Free range” meats can be just as unethically made as the other kind. Just because eggs are marked “cage free” doesn’t mean that the chickens are any happier. And “organic” and “natural” can be applied to anything, because everything is organic in origin (matter cannot be either created nor destroyed, right?) So, a lot of the stuff you see in there that’s touted as being “better for you” because it’s “organic and all natural!” is really just a way to get extra money out of you.
Now, they do seem to have a very good selection of vegan and gluten-free items, and the gluten-free stuff is especially important (I have a couple of friends with Celiacs and eating gluten is not happy times for them and potentially life-threatening) and their meats, bakery, and produce all looked pretty good. It’s certainly worth it to go in when you can get stuff on sale or for cheap (and I love that they put out store coupons!) but if you’re shopping there simply because “organic is better” then you’re honestly just paying a lot more money for the same thing that isn’t marked as “organic” in about 99% of the cases.
We will certainly be going back to them when we can get deals (they carry the Organic Girl salad dressing that has a coupon for a free bottle, or did have a few days ago) but not to make any sort of special trip.
