Salvage Grocery Stores

When we were first married and both full time students, we would not have eaten were it not for the salvage grocery. We were able to fill two grocery sacks for less than ten dollars each week. If you aren't familiar, this is the store where damaged boxes and cans are sold as well as items that are recently past the sell by date.

We were back in Tennessee for Spring Break I was thrilled to visit some discount groceries and find gluten free products on the shelves. For instance, Betty Crocker gluten free cake mix which normally sells for $4.49 was marked down to $.89. As you can guess, I bought them out of all of their cake and brownie mixes.

In our quest to eat a more whole and healthy diet, I assumed discount groceries would be out of the picture since they carry mostly boxed and processed items. Until... my friend, Jennie, pointed me to Angelo's Railroad and Truck Recovery. They have just begun carrying organic and gluten free items. Here's a sample of my first trip there as well as the regular retail price:


Que Pasa Organic Tortilla chips- 1.25 bag $1 vs. $5.71

Rice Dream 32 oz- $.50 vs. $3.99

Bakery on the Main Gluten Free granola bars $1.00 vs. $5.89

365 Organic Coconut Oil 14 oz. $2.89 vs. $6.99

Ghiradelli Organic 100% Cacao chips $1.99 vs. $6.00

Vans Wheat Free Frozen Waffles $1.00 vs. $5.95

Apple Gate Uncured Chicken Hotdogs $1.00 vs. $5.39

Trader Joe's All Natural Turkey Breast 7 oz $1.00 vs. $3.99

365 Organic Black Beans $.69 vs $1.69

Mother's Organic Rice Cakes $.33 vs. $2.95

Lundburg Organic Rice $1.08 vs. $3.99

Raw Agave Nectar $2.89 vs. $4.99

Free Range Organic Eggs $1.50 vs. $3.99

and my favorite purchase....

25 pounds of Breadshop Organic Granola for $12.50. This normally sells for $3.59/lb. I have been making our own granola and have had to become the granola Nazi in order to make it last longer. It's expensive to make and they can't seem to get enough.

I'm so thankful that have found this local treasure. By my estimates, we paid one fourth (if not less) of the price we would have spent retail. Some of these things I would not have purchased, but would have made from scratch. Most of these items, however, are on my regular shopping list. The kids were literally jumping for joy (especially the gluten free ones) at the thought of having convenience foods like "normal" kids. I was just as excited for them and for our grocery budget!