Grocery shopping tips during Coronavirus quarantine #2

[LadyL]

We have a nation who became homeschoolers and we might have a nation becoming vegetarians.

jmo

music to my soul

 

[SugarQueen]

Went to our local shoprite Tuesday. There was still a limit on pork and chicken, 2 each. Beef, ham, and sausage had no limit. Went again yesterday now there is a limit of 2 pork, 2 beef, 2 ground beef, and 2 chicken. Now sausage counts as one of your pork or chicken items, ham counts as pork item. We have have limits since early March. There is finally bottled water on shelves, and a small amount of generic paper products.
DH got our upright freezer out of our storage space Tuesday evening. I’ve been using my food saver to repackage meats. I even made cheese sandwiches and froze them for grilled cheese. ( oral defensive son eats a lot of cheese)

 

[SugarQueen]

I also went to Walmart yesterday. Haven’t been there in months! I needed parrot food, and cat food since shoprite has been out of just about all of it. I was able to get paper towels and toilet paper. We already have some of each but I grabbed 1 more each since It’s still hard to get at shoprite. Grabbed a few of this , a few of that.
I was pleasantly surprised to see someone in the entrance cleaning carts! The floors were marked with arrows that some folks actually paid attention too!
I am seeing an odd phenomenon in the last week or two. I’m seeing a lot of men wearing masks under their nose, covering only the mouth and chin. No idea why they think that helps.

 

[Teche]

Is it whole milk? I’ve done skim for years but switched to vitamin d fortified whole milk recently - thanks for the tip

We buy 2%. Make sure to remove a cup or 2 before freezing to make room for expansion. The milk will look yellowish when frozen. But when it’s totally defrosted, it returns to its original color. The taste remains the same.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Last week our ShopRite order only contained large chicken breasts (no other meats). Prices are extremely high across the board here, from canned goods to meat - if you can find it. No in-store coupons, no sales flyers at all. No packs of paper towels but the shopper did pick up an ultra-size Brawny at $5.99. Ouch. No packs of toilet paper but I asked her to shop for ANY, as we are low. She said that there are single rolls, but only 2 per order allowed. I ended up buying some TP on Mercari to supplement until the next order.

This week I couldn't get any grocery deliveries from Stop&Shop (Peapod) or ShopRite so I decided to try Aldi through InstaCart (wow, they charge A LOT of money for shopping + delivery + tip). They did not have much of a selection of meat (I decided to stock up instead on frozen seafood) and they had 1 option for toilet paper. The order will be delivered today, so we 'll see what that brings.

 

[oviedo]

We buy 2%. Make sure to remove a cup or 2 before freezing to make room for expansion. The milk will look yellowish when frozen. But when it’s totally defrosted, it returns to its original color. The taste remains the same.

My freezer is packed full of meat now - but I may freeze a 1/2 gallon next week. One of the lawyers just told me that Costco is requiring masks - our Publix and Aldi are not (so far) but we are wearing them. I'm glad it is being required. I'm patiently awaiting our local rules on re-opening certain businesses.

 

[oviedo]

Last week our ShopRite order only contained large chicken breasts (no other meats). Prices are extremely high across the board here, from canned goods to meat - if you can find it. No in-store coupons, no sales flyers at all. No packs of paper towels but the shopper did pick up an ultra-size Brawny at $5.99. Ouch. No packs of toilet paper but I asked her to shop for ANY, as we are low. She said that there are single rolls, but only 2 per order allowed. I ended up buying some TP on Mercari to supplement until the next order.

This week I couldn't get any grocery deliveries from Stop&Shop (Peapod) or ShopRite so I decided to try Aldi through InstaCart (wow, they charge A LOT of money for shopping + delivery + tip). They did not have much of a selection of meat (I decided to stock up instead on frozen seafood) and they had 1 option for toilet paper. The order will be delivered today, so we 'll see what that brings.

I'm still personally shopping and my Aldi had hardly any chicken this past weekend. I've note tried the frozen Aldi seafood yet - they did have fresh salmon so I froze two. 6.99/lb - I've notice prices are higher now too. I can't even do a grocery budget anymore. Keeping my fingers crossed you get what you need.

 

[SugarQueen]

Our shoprite prices are higher across the board too. Meat/ chicken prices are crazy! I bought a ham yesterday as one of my pork choices. I’m the only one who will eat baked ham. DH loves ham and beans soup though. Since it was 39 cents a lb and will make lots of soup and lunches for me I’m telling myself it offsets the high prices of everything else a little.

 

[crhedBngr]

Thanks, All, for your input. I come here every day, checking things out.

Oh, and Good Morning!

 

[MaryG12]

Got the TP I ordered off Amazon three weeks ago today. The rolls are smaller in size (will fit the TP holder OK) but that's OK, they will get used.

I still see a lot of restrictions on TP, bleach, paper towels at Publix, CVS, Walgreens, Dollar General.

I suppose that's better than standing in line for your stuff like my dear late mother used to describe me from what she heard about Poland during the war...

 

[Gardener1850]

I took a little trip road and went to Aldi today. It's not super convenient for me to go there but I had been hearing good things about it here, so I went to check it out. I was not disappointed. All the Aldi employees were in masks. They had 2 workers dedicated to wiping down the carts in the parking lot. The carts that you normally have to put a quarter in all had a quarter already and were being left disconnected for anyone to take once they were cleaned. They had an automatic sanitizer dispenser at the entrance. The biggest score of the day toilet paper! It's Aldi brand and I have no idea of the quality, but I was thrilled! We were almost out and I have had no luck finding any at Walmart no matter what time I went. My trip to Aldi was well worth it just for the TP. I also bought some produce and shelf stable items we were low on. They were limiting a number of items to only 1 or 2. TP was limit 1 for a 6 pack.

As I was waiting for people ahead of me to move through the store I overheard 2 employees talking. One (who was possibly a supervisor) was telling the other (possibly a new employee) to make sure to pull items forward and fill in gaps in the shelves as items next to it run out by front facing items nearby, this way the shelves don't ever look empty. The new employee asked the supervisor what to do about the meat section and said, "I don't have any more chicken or beef to fill in the empty places, what should I do about that...? " And the supervisor replied, "well we can't do anything about that section right now, we're not getting any--" and then the supervisor stopped short, perhaps realizing customers were all around them listening. When I got to the meat section, sure enough there was very little left there. I did manage to get 1 package of chicken breasts, 1 lb of ground lamb and 1 lb of grassfed beef. There was plenty of fish available-- both fresh and frozen, but I still have fish in my freezer at home so I passed on getting any more. I think the meat shortage is beginning. Oh well, not much to do about it except eat more beans and rice.

Other than the lack of meat it was a great trip to the store. I felt safe with Aldi's hygiene practices and the majority of shoppers were masked as well.

 

[Gardener1850]

I took a little trip road...

SBM. Oh my goodness, I meant to write "road trip" not "trip road"! LOL. I have no idea how I did that. I just made up a new phrase.

 

[PayrollNerd]

SBM. Oh my goodness, I meant to write "road trip" not "trip road"! LOL. I have no idea how I did that. I just made up a new phrase.

LOL! That’s funny because I actually read it the way you intended it. Does that mean we’re of higher intelligence and should build our own Facebook survey to tout our brilliance?!?!? LOL!

 

[MaryG12]

SBM. Oh my goodness, I meant to write "road trip" not "trip road"! LOL. I have no idea how I did that. I just made up a new phrase.

LOL I knew what you meant.

Speaking of food and takeout - we ordered some burgers from Five Guys tonight - have been craving one of their burgers for the past few days. It is so nice to be able to order a meal online and pickup, it really is. First time we went there was during Hurricane Irma because we had no power for a week after the hurricane and could not cook...I think I got a little bit spoiled by their burgers. There was no one else there so pickup was a snap for me.

We gave some serious thought to ordering groceries from Publix online and having it delivered....
not sure what we will do yet. Not too worried about meat as we can go vegetarian for a week or so (have done it before), mostly eat chicken in the meat department....I can veggie stir fry, my favorite being bell peppers and sweet onions with soy sauce and white rice. Very simple yet tasty and healthy. We don't eat pork, and as for red meat, maybe once a month or two. Our diet is primarily of the Mediterranean variety, lots of fruits and veggies.

 

[LadyL]

LOL I knew what you meant.

Speaking of food and takeout - we ordered some burgers from Five Guys tonight - have been craving one of their burgers for the past few days. It is so nice to be able to order a meal online and pickup, it really is. First time we went there was during Hurricane Irma because we had no power for a week after the hurricane and could not cook...I think I got a little bit spoiled by their burgers. There was no one else there so pickup was a snap for me.

We gave some serious thought to ordering groceries from Publix online and having it delivered....
not sure what we will do yet. Not too worried about meat as we can go vegetarian for a week or so (have done it before), mostly eat chicken in the meat department....I can veggie stir fry, my favorite being bell peppers and sweet onions with soy sauce and white rice. Very simple yet tasty and healthy. We don't eat pork, and as for red meat, maybe once a month or two. Our diet is primarily of the Mediterranean variety, lots of fruits and veggies.

I just realized as I was reading your post that the meat shortage is going to affect fast food places too.

 

[JerseyGirl]

My Aldi order came yesterday. They were out of chicken and meat and a few staples. I was able to get bags of frozen shrimp and scallops and fresh salmon, so those were nice additions to the meat I already have in the freezer. My shopper was able to get me a big package each of TP and PT so I don't have to buy TP off the black market again.

Every night at 8:00pm I'm ready to put in a delivery order from ShopRite (my preferred store) but I have been unable to snag a delivery time for over a month now. I did get a pick-up slot for next Wednesday when I will need milk and bread again. I'd order from Aldi again but their products are very limited.

 

[JerseyGirl]

We gave some serious thought to ordering groceries from Publix online and having it delivered....

I ordered grocery delivery through Publix when we were in Fort Lauderale this past January. Did you have any questions about it? My millennial daughter in Orlando orders her groceries from Amazon for delivery.

 

[Gardener1850]

My Aldi order came yesterday. They were out of chicken and meat and a few staples. I was able to get bags of frozen shrimp and scallops and fresh salmon, so those were nice additions to the meat I already have in the freezer. My shopper was able to get me a big package each of TP and PT so I don't have to buy TP off the black market again.

Every night at 8:00pm I'm ready to put in a delivery order from ShopRite (my preferred store) but I have been unable to snag a delivery time for over a month now. I did get a pick-up slot for next Wednesday when I will need milk and bread again. I'd order from Aldi again but their products are very limited.

BBM. I just had a little giggle at the thought of you having to buy TP from the "black market" JerseyGirl, but I know you are being totally serious. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that there would be a black market for TP in the US! I'm thankful I haven't had to resort to black market TP yet. At least the black market TP is likely to be as safe to use as the store bought stuff (other than outrageous prices and the possibility of getting ripped off/scammed). No need to worry about overdoses with that black market TP and all you'll get is a raw behind if it's bad stuff. LOL.

MOO.

 

[mickey2942]

@Gardener1850 I posted this on the FL thread, for Mother's Day, I seriously sent my Mom an Amazon Prime box full of TP, paper towels, tuna fish, salmon, and a few other treats.

Who would have ever thought that would be such a wonderful gift?! It is like a "gag gift". We are living in interesting times.

 

[Gardener1850]

@Gardener1850 I posted this on the FL thread, for Mother's Day, I seriously sent my Mom an Amazon Prime box full of TP, paper towels, tuna fish, salmon, and a few other treats.

Who would have ever thought that would be such a wonderful gift?! It is like a "gag gift". We are living in interesting times.

Great idea! I've been sending garden seeds in the birthday cards I send out. I wrap them in bubble wrap and weigh the envelope to figure out the extra postage. I got a card for my mom for mother's day but I'm still debating on whether to send anything else this year. A friend of mine is sending beginner cheesemaking kits to her mom/MIL this year. Sending homemade soap seems to be a popular choice as well. I would send TP but my mom has had no trouble finding it. She shops during the senior hour and before they were limiting it to 1 or 2 packages she bought a package of TP for all her neighbors and dropped it off at their porches for them. I would send food but my mom says she is eating too much lately because the neighbors are all looking out for each other and dropping off food items for each other-- they get a couple different baked goods every week from the neighbors. They "quarantine" any delivered items in another room for a few days before eating it just to be safe. It sure is interesting times we are living in.