With food prices rising, it is worth comparing prices

By Felicia Hodges

Whether this is due to increased demand for certain items, climate anomalies around the world, or supply chain issues resulting from Covid, there is no doubt that it costs more to feed a family today than it did a year ago.

According to a survey conducted by Change Research in March, 79% of New Yorkers have found it harder to afford groceries in the past 12 months – a 6% increase from 2023.

With food prices showing no signs of falling and eating out not really an option, the question is how shoppers can spend less at the supermarket these days.

The answer may depend on how you shop.

Although many have a favorite grocery store they go to, Diane Cosh of the Orange County Department of Consumer Protection and Measures said a change has occurred in recent years.

“Consumers who were loyal to a particular store have become 'cherry pickers,'” she said. “These people shop at all stores, looking for special offers, coupons and the best prices, rather than staying loyal to just one store.”

Cosh said checking the unit or pound price of an item can make price comparison easier – and a helpful tool can be the store brochure.

“Most stores have also started posting these flyers online on the store's website, on their app, or at an in-store kiosk. If consumers make a plan before they go to the store, they can save time, gas, and money,” she added.

But a new grocery store can sometimes be daunting because it's unfamiliar and the items may be a little harder to find.

Malcolm Griffin, a dance teacher from Newburgh who began working as a shopper for the grocery pickup and delivery service Instacart throughout Orange County during the pandemic, said he sometimes ended up in stores he didn't know very well. He also said it was helpful to have a plan.

“When you go into an unfamiliar store, you should know how it is laid out. I always start with the products. When I get comfortable in a new store, I find that I can find my way around pretty easily and get what I need,” he said.

If a customer requested a specific brand of an item but the store did not have it in stock, they often had to get the store's approval before they could purchase a comparable substitute, which was sometimes a store-brand product.

“Basically, eggs are eggs. The branded product is not always better quality than the store brand,” he said. “You're not getting a fake just because it's a brand you may have never heard of. There really is no difference in quality.”

Cosh said both private label and branded products offered good value for money, adding that consumers should try both and stick with the brand they like best.

“Judge them by price, taste and overall value,” she added.
Under Griffin's guidance, 14 staples were price-compared at Aldi, Adams Fairacre Farms, Stop & Shop, Price Chopper, Hannaford and ShopRite stores. Since most of the customers he shopped for tended to request specific products — such as whole milk (instead of almond, goat or fat-free varieties) and bottled spring water (instead of purified), the items may not be what you normally throw in your cart, but they give an idea of ​​what a similar item might cost.

While some items are significantly more expensive at certain stores than others, shoppers may be able to save even more by taking advantage of store rewards programs. The rewards are tailored to customers' preferences and shopping habits and are designed to encourage repeat purchases and entice customers to choose a store over competitors. Typically, a phone number, driver's license or email address is required to sign up at a supermarket that offers these programs.

In addition, all stores have sales and buy two, get two free offers, which can make it more cost-effective to buy, for example, three packs of water bottles if storing the extra packs is not a problem or if you have someone to split the cost with.