Grocery Shopping in Beantown--How's it compare to YOURtown?

As a grad student, grocery shopping may seem like no big deal, but once all of the pennies are added up, the ounces and the pounds—groceries can add quite a dent in your monthly finances. Says one grad student at Emerson College, “I try to spend around $40 a week…and that includes going out.” So where are the best places to do one’s grocery shopping in a city known for being as pricey as its LA counterpart?

Stop & Shop, Star Market, Shaw's and Trader Joe’s are the main grocery stores you’ll find on the streets in Beantown and its neighboring towns. “I shop at Stop and Shop—It’s basically just like any grocery story—big selection, big isles, big lines,” says Ashley, a third year MFA student at Emerson College. Stop & Shop offers a rewards program card which gives you special discounts on certain items (which change weekly). There is also a red box in every location which makes this grocery store very useful for food and entertainment.

Star Market and Shaw’s are another option for the grocery shopping grad student. These stores also offer the rewards card which help to cut the cost on some items which to change weekly. According to Yelp, one reviewer mentions the lack of fresh produce and limited stock in the freezer section. If price is your main concern, you may find better options at Stop & Shop. Like Stop and Shop, red box is also available.

Finally, Trader Joe’s offers grad students the chance to sample food from around the world—both from the personable employee at the sample station or from sampling the products right off the shelf (though, do remember to ask for an employee’s assistance before sampling). Trader Joe’s is known for its affordability and shoppers agree—according to one Yelper, “In a nutshell, I go to TJ's for a few reasons; VERY affordable (sometimes way cheaper than other supermarkets for things), FRIENDLY staff, [and] environmentally conscious”. Trader Joe’s may not have a rewards card or a red box, but it has quality and affordability which suffice it to say, may be the only true mark of a worthy grocery store to any graduate student.