Author Topic: Does anyone buy "salvage" groceries?  (Read 3062 times)

StartingEarly

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Does anyone buy "salvage" groceries?
« on: August 02, 2016, 02:32:58 PM »
There is a store somewhat close that sells food that the other stores can't. Generally canned goods with torn labels, etc. I'm planning on going there on Friday when it's open. Has anyone else shopped at a store like that and was it worth it?

seattlecyclone

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Re: Does anyone buy "salvage" groceries?
« Reply #1 on: August 02, 2016, 02:34:44 PM »
I don't go to a store like that, but the Safeway near my house has a shelf in the back where they put this sort of stuff (dented cans, partly-crushed boxes, out-of-season goods, other stuff they took off the shelves for whatever reason). It's all 50% off the original price. I always check it out when I'm in there.

hollyluja

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Re: Does anyone buy "salvage" groceries?
« Reply #2 on: August 02, 2016, 02:36:09 PM »
yes!  Here in the PNW we have Grocery Outlet, which often sells scratch n dent food that wouldn't sell elsewhere.  I get great deals on canned artichoke hearts (one of the other jars broke so they were all sticky), wine with upside-down labels, dented cracker boxes etc.  Just make sure to check the expiration dates, as sometimes that is the reason the item is in the store.

Catbert

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Re: Does anyone buy "salvage" groceries?
« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2016, 03:08:40 PM »
Yes, I go to a local store that gets a lot of  Costco castoffs as well as from other sources.  I also sometimes go to Grocery Outlet.

Two things to be aware of: 

Check use-by-dates on fresh things (not really important on shelf stable items).  Make sure you can use/freeze it in time.   

Prices are not always a bargain, especially on one off items.  Ensure that it's really a bargain before buying.

 

hollyluja

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Re: Does anyone buy "salvage" groceries?
« Reply #4 on: August 02, 2016, 03:12:07 PM »
One more tip - don't go in a with a list.  They may not have it and it may not be a deal if they do.  Just see what is a good price and build your future meals around that. 

Jack

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Re: Does anyone buy "salvage" groceries?
« Reply #5 on: August 02, 2016, 03:42:16 PM »
Here in Atlanta, I'd never run across a salvage grocery and thus never gave much consideration to shopping at one. This thread prompted me to search, where I learned that metro Atlanta apparently has two. One is 30 miles out into the exurbs east of the city and the other is 50 miles out into the exurbs south of the city. Neither is served by any kind of transit. Disappointing.

syednaeemul

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Re: Does anyone buy "salvage" groceries?
« Reply #6 on: August 02, 2016, 09:26:26 PM »
Here in Melbourne, Australia, there is a chain of supermarkets called NQR which generally sell food at or beyond their Best By dates. They are ok to use if you plan on consuming the item soon.

etselec

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Re: Does anyone buy "salvage" groceries?
« Reply #7 on: August 02, 2016, 09:47:28 PM »
We have a local store here that buys overstock or almost-expired shelf-stable items from Whole Foods and similar stores. Their stock varies, as does which items are actually a good deal and which are just average, but there are often some gems in there (lookin' at you, 2 for $1 Annie's mac and cheese...).

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Re: Does anyone buy "salvage" groceries?
« Reply #8 on: August 02, 2016, 10:07:47 PM »
We visited one in Polkville, North Carolina while visiting grandma on our big road trip west.  Picked up all kinds of stuff at 33-80% off.  Tortilla shells approaching sell by ($1 for what would be about $5 at a regular grocery; still chowing down on them 2.5 weeks into the trip!).  25 small boxes of granola bars for $0.29 per box (several months past sell by but we tasted them and decided to get many more - no off taste at all and they've been handy on our trip).  Some random salad dressing and salsa that was almost at sell by date.  15 cent big bars of soap (Walgreen's "compare to" Irish spring - not as good as name brand but we get clean and don't stink).  Too much candy. 

My conclusion was that some things were really good deals, but some things weren't deals at all (compared to Aldi regular prices).  The items that were good deals generally weren't very healthy items.  This place in Polkville had no fresh fruits or vegs, cheeses, yogurt, milk, etc so not much in the way of healthy living if you shop there a lot.


 

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