Nothing beats the feel and charm of the old-fashioned letter, greeting card, or postcard. However, these days it is getting hard to find stamps to send them. So I wondered what grocery stores sell stamps?
Almost all Grocery Stores sell stamps, including Walmart, and pharmacies like CVS, and Walgreens. However, these are available only in bulk, in the form of booklets. You may also purchase Stamps online on Amazon or Grocery Store websites.
But where do you buy them once you’re in a grocery store and can you pick different designs or just buy 1 stamp?
In this article, I have not only answered those questions, but I also cover the best places to find stamps, and how much they cost, among others.
Let’s dive right in!
Do they sell stamps at grocery stores?
It’s an interesting question. Honestly, grocery stores are not the first place that comes to mind when we need stamps, right? But, the truth is that the big grocery stores sell all kinds of stuff, even stuff we hardly associate with them.
So, stamps are sold at virtually all major grocery stores. But, as you’d expect, they sell in bulk, in booklets, with each containing 20 stamps, and, this is the way to go. It’s not economically feasible but also saves you time.
You could buy what you’ll need for the next few months. This signifies that if you just need a couple of stamps, the grocery store isn’t the right place to go. You’ll have to visit the post office.
This leads us to the next question.
Where precisely in the grocery store would you get the stamps or some other specific items to buy? Most grocery stores are organized similarly. But of course, slight differences in how the stores are laid out are possible.
That’s not a challenge as you’ll find out in a recent article of mine where I explained the different sections, whether they’re designed to’ trick’ you, some typical food terms you need to understand, and a host of other helpful info.
Just click the link to read it on my site.
After picking up what you’re there to buy from several aisles, you can rest assured that you’ll quickly pick up stamps at the cashiers. That’s where most stores keep the stamps.
If you prefer, you could order your stamps online from the grocery store. If you’re already ordering groceries online from the same store, it makes sense to order stamps at the same time. Just remember that most grocery stores sell in sheets or booklets.
Now, let’s consider another interesting question. Do drugstores or pharmacies sell postage stamps?
We often assume that pharmacies only sell drugs. The reality is that some carry other items, too. Not all pharmacies sell stamps, but you’ll get stamps at CVS or Walgreens and other pharmacies.
As you probably know, Walgreens is virtually everywhere. They have about 8,200 stores in this country. You can bet that there’ll be one close to where you live or work.
But note that what they offer are necessary stamps. That is the first-class forever postage stamp, which you can keep using even if the price of stamps increases. Walgreens doesn’t offer postcard stamps and parcel stamps. So, if you need some other kind of stamp, you’ll need to visit the USPS.
As I hinted at before, it’s best to buy in bulk. A single stamp sells for $0.55. At Walgreens, you’ll save 5 cents on each stamp when you buy a book of stamps. Say you’re buying 20 stamps; you’ll need to pay only $10.
Some Walgreen stores are open 24/7. While others are only open between 8 am and 10 pm, on weekdays. It may differ at weekends. Wonder if there’s a Walgreens near you? You can use the link to find out.
What I shared about Walgreens, applies to CVS, too. So, you can also get stamps to buy at CVS.
And, how much are postage stamps sold for at the grocery store, CVS or Walgreens?
At 11 AM Tues, the First Lady will attend the U.S.Postal Service’s dedication of the Maya Angelou Forever stamp. pic.twitter.com/FsK3aobqin
How much do stamp cost at the grocery store, CVS, or Walgreens?
A single stamp sells for $0.55. At Walgreens, you’ll save 5 cents on each stamp when you buy a book of stamps. Say you’re buying 20 stamps; you’ll need to pay only $10.
And, you might be wondering whether supermarkets also sell stamps. Yes, most do. So, if you live or work close to one, just pop in.
Do you ever wonder what differentiates a grocery store from a supermarket?
What’s even the main reason there are supermarkets? Or, have you ever scratched your head over what’s a convenience store, if you were asked to define it, or what is a hypermarket? I went into great detail in a recent article of mine.
Walmart sells everything, right? Can you get postage stamps there? Yes, you can.
Walmart, as we all know, sell most things. Naturally, they sell stamps, too. And, it’s cool that they’re almost always open so that you can pop in at any time. But you’ll probably agree that it’s smart to stock-up.
It’ll be cheaper, and you can do a bit of planning before you buy it. To get stamps, simply go to their MoneyCenter or the customer service desk. If you prefer, you could order the stamps online.
Virtually all Walmart stores are open between 8 am and 10 pm. This may slightly differ from store to store.
@amazonIN Interesting Postal department releases a stamp commemorating 3 years of business relationship with Amazon. pic.twitter.com/JI4teW4nbi
Maybe you’ve rediscovered the joy of writing letters and sending postcards.
It occurs to you that you’ll be needing a lot of stamps. So, it makes sense to try and find out the cheapest sources. The cost naturally depends on the type of stamps you’re buying.
Different stamps have different prices. If you’re just buying a few, it’s probably not worth your time seeking the best bargains. Seeing as time itself is costly.
If you are buying stamps regularly and in a reasonable quantity, Amazon’s selection of stamps and stamps.com are great options. Besides, stamps.com offers lower prices, overall, and some related services make postage a breeze.
For the occasional buys, Amazon is excellent.
However, I recommend stamps.com if you’ll be buying in bulk. Since you’ll be posting the letters or packages if you’re considering a home business, try and look at the overall cost of postage, not just the value of the stamps.
Final Thoughts
The post office is anchored in our minds as the place to get stamps. But as shown in this short article, there are a couple of other sites, too. You could buy stamps online from most major stores, and you could walk into some grocery stores, some drugstores, to pick up stamps.
But, most of them sell Forever postage stamps only. And, they sell stamps in booklets. So, you’ll still need to go to the post office if you need just a couple of stamps or stamps for parcels and postcards.
Middle Class Dad is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases if you click to Amazon from my site and choose to make a purchase. This is no way increases the cost to you.
Nothing quite beats the convenience of having a delivery service like Instacart bring you your groceries right to your doorstep. But what about alcohol? Can Instacart deliver alcohol?
Instacart currently delivers alcohol in 14 states, both from grocery stores, where allowed, but from liquor stores too. Beer, wine, & liquor are available in those areas, but recipients must show ID & cannot be visibly intoxicated. Instacart also cannot leave alcohol unattended; you must be present for delivery.
But there’s a lot more to know about Instacart delivery, alcohol laws, and how they both tie together, so let’s dig in a little deeper.
Instacart is awesome! They can even deliver them in under an hour in certain circumstances.
If you want a glass of wine or some beer with your dinner, will they deliver it with your groceries?
Instacart has alcohol delivery available in 14 states and Washington, D.C. Alcohol is available from more than one-third of their retail partners.
What 14 states those are is listed in the next section.
Purchasing alcohol through Instacart is easy.
Simply open the Instacart mobile app or head over to their website at www.instacart.com. Select your city and store, and shop like normal.
When your delivery arrives, be sure to have your ID handy, as you must be 21 years old to purchase alcohol.
Don’t forget to tip your Instacart driver when they deliver your groceries and booze.
They are providing a service, after all. Instacart drivers are not only making your life easier by doing your shopping for you, but they also are sure to pick the best items.
They make sure to get the items with the best expiration dates, that don’t have any damage and are priced the best.
But don’t worry, you don’t have to tip 15-20% like at a restaurant. Just read this recent articlewhere I break down exactly how much to tip, and whether you need to do it in cash or on the app.
They are continually rolling out alcohol delivery in more states. So if it’s not available in your state, keep checking. It may be available soon!
If Instacart doesn’t deliver alcohol to you, you might want to consider having alcohol directly shipped to your home.
The majority of states allow for out-of-state to ship alcohol directly to consumers. However, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Utah specifically prohibit the direct shipment of alcohol to consumers.
Of the states that do allow the shipment of alcohol, only five states allow the shipment of all spirits.
They are:
Arizona
Florida
Hawaii
Nebraska
New Hampshire
Eight states allow direct shipment of beer and wine. They are Delaware, Massachusetts, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont, and Virginia. The rest of the states allow direct shipments of wine only.
Having alcohol directly shipped to you can be a great way to try new and interesting flavors of beer or wine. However, it can get really expensive, as many alcohol delivery services are subscription-based.
You also may not get to pick exactly what you want.
Just as an example, FirstLeaf will send you wine that they pick out for you at about $13.00 per bottle. You fill out a quiz before signing up, and they will send you wine based on those answers.
Each shipment will contain different wines. However, if you find something you like, you may not get it in the next shipment, but you might be able to order it individually from their website.
To purchase alcohol through Instacart, customers must be 21 or older, have and show a valid government-issued ID card, and not be visibly intoxicated. They also much be present at the time of delivery as alcohol cannot be left unattended.
First and foremost, understand that alcohol is not available at all retailers in all markets. They cannot fulfill special requests or replacements for alcohol.
You must present your ID upon delivery. When the order is delivered, you must sign for the delivery.
No alcohol will be left unattended.
No alcohol will be delivered to anyone that is visibly intoxicated.
If you do not present your ID, are not present, or are visibly intoxicated, alcohol will not be delivered. In this case, you will not be charged for the alcohol.
To read their alcohol policies for yourself, just click here. This link takes you straight to Instacart’s Alcohol policies page on their website.
Of course, you should always be responsible regarding your alcohol consumption. Don’t drink and drive and certainly don’t purchase alcohol for minors.
Instacart delivers beer, wine, and spirits in certain states where legally allowed. In states that allow it, Instacart can deliver liquor from grocery stores. But in states where that is not allowed, they have also partnered with specific liquor stores for delivery.
The abolition of prohibition in 1933 left states with the power to regulate alcohol sales. So now there is a confusing hodgepodge of liquor laws across the country.
To read about which states allow the sale of liquor in grocery stores, read this recent article.
Just click the link to read it on my site.
If your state doesn’t allow the sale of liquor at grocery stores, take comfort in the fact that Instacart also delivers for some liquor specialty stores.
These stores include BevMo!, Binny’s Beverage Depot, and Total Wine & More.
If you don’t live in California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, Washington, or Washington, D.C., you’re just going to be out of luck. Even if your state does allow for the sale of liquor in grocery stores.
Those are the only state in which Instacart delivers alcohol.
Sometimes, Instacart does charge more than store prices.
According to Instacart, they charge an average of 15% more money on stores that have a markup. This isn’t so bad if you’re purchasing $50 in groceries. This is very bad if you purchase $200 worth of groceries.
However, Instacart partners up with different stores to provide delivery services without a markup.
If you purchase your alcohol from one of the partner stores, you shouldn’t see a price increase.
To read more about what stores Instacart have partnered up with, and their pricing policies read this recent article.
Just click the link to read it on my site.
The best way to know whether or not you’ll be charged more at a specific store is by reviewing Instacart’s pricing information page.
According to that page, it’s the retailers themselves that set the prices charged through Instacart.
Don’t let the potentially higher prices steer you away from the app, though. Instacart is a thriving business for many reasons.
Instacart also charges a delivery fee of $7.99 for one-hour delivery or $5.99 for a two-hour or more delivery.
The convenience value alone is enough to make the markups and fees well worth staying home. There’s certainly a line where it’s probably a better idea to go out instead. Still, it all depends on the markup percentage.
If you find that you don’t mind the markup percentage, and use Instacart regularly, you may find that their annual membership fee is a better value. For $149 per year, you can get free two-hour delivery on orders of $35.00 or more.
Pair the annual fee with a partner store and two-hour delivery, and it could be very affordable.
Final Thoughts
Instacart offers fantastic convenience. It makes life so much easier when you can have groceries dropped at your door.
It can make life even easier when you can have alcohol delivered to your door. In this article, we took a look at the ins and outs of Instacart alcohol delivery. We discussed the rules of having Instacart deliver alcohol, and whether they mark up prices on alcohol.
While it’s not available in every state, it may be available in your state soon. If it’s alcohol delivery is not available in your state, it could simply be because of your local laws and regulations.
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”TYI6vFMW” upload-date=”Mon Aug 03 2020 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)” name=”Can Instacart Deliver Alcohol? (Yes, but not in every state)” description=”Nothing quite beats the convenience of having a delivery service like Instacart bring you your groceries right to your doorstep. But what about alcohol? Can Instacart deliver alcohol? I decided to check into it and discovered: Instacart does currently deliver alcohol in 14 states, both from grocery stores, where allowed, but some liquor stores too. Beer, wine, & liquor are available in those areas, but recipients must show ID & cannot be visibly intoxicated. Instacart also cannot leave alcohol unattended; you must be present for delivery. But there’s a lot more to know about Instacart delivery, alcohol laws, and how they both tie together, so let’s dig in a little deeper. Instacart is awesome! They can even deliver them in under an hour in certain circumstances. If you want a glass of wine or some beer with your dinner, will they deliver it with your groceries? Will they deliver liquor? What states even allow alcohol to be delivered? Does Instacart mark up prices on alcohol? You have questions. I have the answers! Just keep reading to find out.”]
Chicken. It’s lean, healthy, and versatile. Millions of people eat it every day. It’s sold in grocery stores all over the world. But which grocery store has the best chicken?
For ingredient & additive quality standards and animal welfare policies, no grocery chain beats Whole Foods Market. No antibiotics are ever administered in the life of the chicken. They (and many chains) also offer organically grown chickens which, by definition, are also free-range.
But there’s a lot more to know about chicken and grocery stores than just that. So let’s keep going!
So in this article, we’re looking not only at what stores have the best chicken? But also, what does it mean when a chicken is raised without antibiotics or hormones?
What stores have the best rotisserie chicken? And what brands of chicken should be avoided?
We’re going to get into all of these questions and more.
Just keep reading!
What store has the best chicken?
There are tons of supermarkets out there, so this article is going to focus on a handful of well-known supermarkets.
Shopping for good chicken is a lot harder than shopping for a good steak. When shopping for steak, you should look for good marbling and a nice red color with no brown spots.
But for the most part, all chicken pretty much looks the same when you are purchasing it from the store.
So with chicken, you pretty much have to rely on the reputation of the store. You have to trust that the store is sourcing its chicken responsibly and being transparent with their policies.
Another factor in the quality of chicken is whether it is given growth hormones or antibiotics.
Animals fed right and treated humanely are not just for marketing. They make for better tasting, healthier meat. As a bonus, you can feel good that the bird lived it’s best life before it landed on your plate.
You can take that up a notch and look for chicken that is fed organically grown feed and free-range. Free-range simply means the chicken spends at least some of its life roaming the grounds of the farm somewhat freely rather than being kept in a cage.
Here are some of the best-known grocery chains in the US and how they stack up:
Publix
According to the Publix website, their GreenWise chicken is raised with no antibiotics or added hormones. They are also fed a 100% vegetarian diet. They contain no artificial ingredients or preservatives.
Publix also indicates that they use a special chilling technique that optimizes the taste and texture of the chicken. This special technique is said to result in chicken that is tender and juicy.
They also have their GreenWise Organic Chicken which is USDA-certified organic. (source)
Whole Foods Market
Meat sold at Whole Foods has over 100 animal welfare standards it must meet before it is sold in the store.
These standards don’t just apply to chicken. They also apply pork, beef, sheep, goats, and turkey.
If an animal ever gets an antibiotic treatment, it won’t be sold at Whole Foods. They also don’t permit added growth hormones. Animals are fed a 100% vegetarian diet with no animal by-products.
Sometimes chicken can be labeled free of antibiotics when, in fact, they were given to the animal earlier in their life, but none were present when the meat was tested at slaughter time.
So if you’re concerned about antibiotics in meat (and you should be) look for a label that says something like “Never ever given antibiotics.” Avoid products that simply say “antibiotic-free”, “No antibiotics added”, or “All Natural” as those have a lot more legal leeway and don’t necessarily tell you the whole story.
Whole Foods also ensures that animals are raised, transported, and slaughtered humanely.
Because there are such stringent standards to the meat that is sold at Whole Foods, you can rest assured that any meat you purchase will be healthy and free of nasty additives.
Whole Foods even ensures that the life of the chicken can be traced throughout the supply chain. Just look for the “Complete Traceability to Farms” phrase on the packaging. (source)
— Dorothy M. Neddermeyer (@DorothyNed) June 4, 2016
Kroger
Kroger is not as transparent about their meat policy.
They do offer antibiotic-free meat and their line of Simple Truth meat products that are free of growth hormones. And they do require that suppliers meet standards set by the National Chicken Council.
When talking about chicken, it’s natural to think about eggs. Kroger has made cage-free eggs an option. They have committed to providing a 100% cage-free egg supply chain by 2025. (source)
Trader Joe’s
Like Kroger, Trader Joe’s is not very transparent about their meat policy.
It is difficult to find detailed information about how their chickens are raised and what they are fed. However, I did find that they carry organic free-range chicken.
But their FAQ page does state “Trader Joe’s offers items from sources of a conventional nature (where antibiotics are likely used) and sources that do not use antibiotics (organic, all-natural or explicitly labeled as antibiotic-free [ABF]).”
Given we know the USDA doesn’t officially recognize the term “antibiotic-free” and that the poultry simply tested negative for antibiotics at the time of slaughter, their organic line would be the safe way to go there.
Wegman’s
Wegman’s policy is that animals should not be mistreated.
They work with trusted suppliers and visit facilities to ensure that the chickens are being treated humanely. But at the end of the day, they’re pretty vague (especially compared to Whole Foods) on exactly what that means.
Wegman’s Animal Welfare Policy page does at least note “no antibiotics ever” as an option for some of their chicken. They also sell organic and free-range chicken.
After Whole Foods, Wegmans is the clearest of the big chains I researched here in terms of clearly displaying their animal welfare and additive standards on their website.
Not all chicken brands are created equal. A Fancy label does not mean better tasting chicken.
But beware, some lesser brands actually inject a salt solution into the chicken.
It plumps it up, and, of course, adds to the weight (making it cost more). It also keeps the chicken fresher longer. Typically it’s a 2% sodium or potassium lactate solution that will be added. So make sure and check the label and see if it says that (they are required to disclose it by law). (source)
Your best bet would be to buy a couple of chickens, cook them up and taste them for yourself to find a brand that works for you and your family.
However, I found at Publix GreenWise chicken is delicious. It is tender and juicy and has a nice texture.
But, if you’re really concerned about how the chickens are raised and slaughtered, Whole Foods Market is the best choice. They have very strict standards for how, not just chickens, but all of their meat, is raised and slaughtered.
If an animal is ever given antibiotics, the meat will not be sold at Whole Foods. So you can rest assured that you will not be ingesting unnecessary antibiotics.
Chicken isn’t the only thing worth being picky about at the grocery store!
If you’re a steak lover, you won’t want to miss my recent article about which grocery stores have the best steaks.
I get into all of it; USDA grading, Prime, Kobe, Choice, Select, and which grocery stores stack up and which ones miss the mark.
Which grocery store has the best rotisserie chicken?
In this case, the term “best” could refer to the quality of the chicken and things like we’ve discussed (antibiotics & hormones). But “best” could also refer to the flavor.
So we’ll dive in a little bit to both.
Rotisserie chicken is delicious. And today you can find it in just about every grocery store you visit. However, they are not all created equally.
If you have a Costco nearby, they really have the best tasting rotisserie chicken. Their chicken is big enough to feed a family of four, and they are delicious. The meat is juicy, the skin is crispy, and at $4.99 each, the price is right.
However, their chicken is cheap in part due to lower quality meat. The following ingredients were, at the time of this writing, on their label: “salt, sodium phosphate, modified food starch, potato dextrin, carrageenan, sugar, dextrose”.
But it’s not a surprise that stores would use lower quality chicken for their cooked products. They are, after all, in business to make money. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
So if you want flavor and a low price, Costco is the way to go.
Out of Publix, Whole Foods, Kroger, Trader Joe’s, and Wegmans, Publix has the best tasting rotisserie chicken. They have a wide variety of options, the price is reasonable, and it’s always hot and fresh.
The biggest problem with Publix rotisserie chicken is that many complain they tend to run out early. But if your top concern is animal welfare and artificial ingredients, Whole Foods Market still makes the top of the list.
There are three grades of poultry, Grade A, B, and C, that can be sold in stores.
Unlike beef, you can’t just look at the meat to see if it’s a good cut. With beef, you look at marbling and the color of the meat itself to determine the quality. Of course, the USDA also grades beef, but it’s not hard to get an idea of how it’s going to taste based on looks alone.
Most of the poultry you will find in your meat department will be Grade A.
Whole chickens, chicken breast, chicken thighs, etc. Chicken that is Grade B or C will be processed into cut-up, chopped, or ground poultry products.
There are three main factors in grading poultry:
Exposed flesh
Disjointed or broken bones
Missing parts
The table below summarizes each grade and the factors:
FACTOR
GRADE A
GRADE B
GRADE C
Exposed Flesh
The total length of cuts on breast or legs must be less than 1/4″ and the total length of cuts everywhere else must be less than 1 1/2″
1/3 of the flesh on a part may be exposed
More than 1/3 of the flesh on a part may be exposed
Disjointed or broken bones
None or one disjointed
Two disjointed OR One disjointed and one non-protruding broken OR One non-protruding broken
No limit
Missing parts
Wing tips and/or tail removed at the base
Wing(s) to 2nd joint AND/OR back area removed up to one-half way to the hip joint, not wider than the base of the tail
Back area not wider than the base of tail extending to the area beyond halfway to hip joints
What does chicken without antibiotics and hormones mean?
Food labels can be confusing. Chicken labels are no exception.
What does it mean when chicken is labeled “antibiotic-free” or “organic”? What about “no added hormones”? So, here’s the good news. No chicken that you buy in the store will ever be given added hormones or steroids.
By law, hormones are not allowed in raising poultry.
If the phrase “no hormones added” is on the label, it must be followed by a statement that says “Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones.” source
In other words, like labeling a bag of carrots “gluten-free”, it’s a marketing gimmick to make you think their products are somehow better or safer. The trouble is, shoppers became so confused, that now, almost everyone does it as they don’t want shoppers to their product has added hormones.
But even if the chicken isn’t labeled as being hormone-free, you can rest assured that it is in fact, free of hormones.
Just like people, chickens sometimes get sick. When they do, a veterinarian may administer an antibiotic. Once a chicken has been given an antibiotic, it may not be labeled as being “raised without antibiotics” or “no antibiotics ever.”
However, federal regulations require that chickens that have received antibiotics cannot leave the farm until it has cleared from their system.
So in that aspect, all of the chicken you buy is technically “antibiotic-free.” But if you want to make sure the animal was never, ever, given antibiotics, look for a label that says “no antibiotics ever”.
There are so many different kinds of chicken at the grocery store. So how do you know what to look for when shopping?
Firstly, check the “best by” date. Eating chicken that is out of date will make you sick.
Check out the color of the chicken. It should have a pinkish hue. Chicken will fade from pink to a dull gray color as it spoils. So if there is even a hint of gray coloring, leave it at the store.
If you are purchasing chicken with the skin on, make sure the skin covers each piece. You don’t want to short yourself any of that delicious crispy skin.
But there is more to look out for when it comes to labeling.
Some labels don’t really mean anything. These should be considered marketing schemes.
Organic
The first label to look for is organic. Look for the USDA Organic logo, not just the word “organic.” This ensures that the chicken was fed an organic feed and at least has access to the outdoors.
Hormone-free
We’ve established that the hormone-free label doesn’t really mean anything.
Antibiotic-free
But you still want to look out for the antibiotic-free label (and ideally no antibiotics ever). Yes, any antibiotics given to chickens has to be clear of its system before it leaves the farm. But you have to have a lot of trust in the farmer to really know that the antibiotic is actually out of the chicken.
Cage-free
Another term that doesn’t really mean much is cage-free. Sure, these chickens do not live in cages. Instead, they live in warehouses with concrete floors and no windows.
A slightly better option would be to look for free-range or free-roaming chicken.
According to the USDA, to be labeled as “free-range” or “free-roaming,” chickens must have access to the outdoors for some part of the day. (source)
However, there are no requirements for the length of time the chicken must spend outdoors, the size of the outdoor area, or the type of ground cover.
So, for example, there could be a small door at the end of a barn that is open for 10 minutes per day. Because the door is open, the chickens have access to the outside. This qualifies them as “free-range” chickens.
So are free-range chickens the happiest chickens? Do they have the freedom to run around, eat bugs, and live their best chicken life? I don’t know. And if they still end up slaughtered, does that even matter?
Another thing to understand is that not all free-range chicken is organic.
But all organic chicken is free-range. To receive free-range certification, the chickens must have access to the outdoors, among other things.
Like steak, but not sure if Prime is worth the money?
I recently conducted a blind taste test of USDA Choice, USDA Prime, Certified Angus, and Grass-fed ribeye steaks.
Prime is definitely the most expensive of those 4, but did it taste the best? Find out my results in this recent article and brief video where you’ll see it all unfold!
Are there some chicken brands to avoid at the grocery store?
Every chicken producer must meet USDA regulations to be sold in grocery stores.
So you can feel pretty confident that whatever chicken you purchase will be safe to eat.
That said, you shouldn’t just pick up any old chicken. You should still read the label and make sure that it meets your personal standards.
There are probably some types of chicken to avoid as well as some brands that I personally avoid.
Ground chicken for one. Ground chicken can be made up of several different birds from several different places. So you won’t know if it’s been previously frozen or the quality of the meat pre-grinding.
In that case, it’s better to buy your chicken breast and grind them at home. Then you know exactly what you are getting.
Brands to avoid is a very subjective phrase.
If the way chickens are raised and slaughtered matters, then there are some brands that you may want to avoid.
Personally, there are some companies out there that simply do not have a good reputation.
Tyson is one example. Tyson has been sued more than once. Not only for mislabeling its packaging as “natural” or “all-natural,” but they also have a history of mistreating animals. source
They also have a history of being environmentally irresponsible.
They’ve been known to dump millions of pounds of toxic pollutants into U.S. Waterways and wash products with hazardous chemical disinfectants. All while claiming to be environmentally responsible. source
Tyson certainly isn’t the only company that has some controversy.
Perdue Farms, one of the largest poultry companies in the US, has been known to push around farmers and take advantage of them. Farmers often have to kill several thousand chickens per flock, at the direction of Perdue, without compensation. source
So, if not polluting the environment, the way farmers are treated or the way chickens are treated matters to you, you may want to consider avoiding Tyson and/or Perdue brands.
Final Thoughts
We covered a lot of information in this article. It can be a lot to digest, I know. (See what I did there?)
We went over what grocery stores have the best chicken and how to buy chicken at the store. I also discussed the best and worst chicken to purchase at the store.
Then we talked about some common terms that you may have seen on the packaging. And we also talked about the different USDA Grades.
While not all chicken is created equal, it’s not too difficult to find quality chicken. Organic and cage-free chickens usually make for the best chicken.
Personally, I find chicken thighs to be the most flavorful and the juiciest.
If you enjoy a good cocktail but find it inconvenient to buy liquor at a liquor store, you may wonder why don’t grocery stores sell liquor?
After the end of prohibition in 1933, states were allowed to regulate alcohol sales themselves. But it resulted in a wide variety of laws from state to state. However, many states in the US do sell liquor at grocery stores. But, each county within the state can have its own laws regulating the sale of liquor.
But there’s a lot more to know than that!
Many states allow you to buy beer and/or wine in grocery stores. But some states do not sell any alcohol in grocery stores. Some states will allow you to buy liquor on Sundays, but even some of those don’t let you buy it before noon.
For example, in Nebraska, you cannot purchase liquor until noon. But in Florida, there are no time restrictions on liquor sales, but you can only purchase liquor from liquor stores.
And other states limit the liquor licenses chain stores have so not all locations may actually sell liquor. It all gets very confusing and frustrating.
But have no fear! We’ve done the leg work to make sure you are well informed about the sale of alcohol in various states.
Just keep reading!
What states do not sell alcohol in grocery stores?
Alcohol is prohibited from being sold in grocery stores in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Alaska.
Alaska and Delaware have no Sunday restrictions, but you can only buy alcohol at liquor stores. This is any alcohol – beer, wine, and liquors such as tequila, vodka, gin, etc..
In fact, if you are in Alaska, you can’t even enter a licensed premises if you are under 21 years of age unless you are with a parent, guardian, or spouse that is of age. (source)
With a bar for every 60 residents, Alaska is notorious for having high rates of alcoholism.
As a result, they have a very high rate of violence and crime stemming from intoxication. So it’s no surprise that Alaska has such harsh laws regarding alcohol sales. They’ve even been known to arrest bar patrons for being too drunk. (source and source)
While you can’t purchase alcohol in all grocery stores in Pennsylvania, you can purchase beer from some gas stations. You can also purchase up to two six-packs of beer from local bars. (source)
However, over time, the laws have started to loosen a bit and some grocery stores have started selling alcohol. The grocery stores that are allowed to sell alcohol must do so at a separate register.
The states listed below DO allow sales of liquor in grocery stores:
Arizona
California*
Illinois
Indiana
Louisiana**
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
North Dakota
South Dakota
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
*Fun Fact: California does not allow alcohol to be displayed within five feet of the cash register if the establishment also sells motor fuel.
** Louisiana liquor sales are allowed in grocery stores. But, individual cities, towns, and villages may disallow it. Shreveport does not allow hard liquor sales in grocery and other non-liquor store outlets. Bossier city does allow hard liquor sales in grocery stores. Rural Caddo Parish allows it as well.
Each state comes with its own limitations on the sale of liquor in grocery stores.
Read this recent article for a more thorough explanation of what those limits are. You might find it interesting to know that Kentucky, home of Jim Beam, has some of the most confusing liquor laws in the country.
Just click the link to read it on my site.
Hey Indiana, it’s Sunday and Missouri sells alcohol AND cold beer in a grocery. pic.twitter.com/kXpoXkySQ2
There are several states with a Sunday ban on retail alcohol sales.
But even states with Sunday sales bans have caveats. Most of the states listed below ban liquor sales, but still allow beer and wine sales. Some take it a step further by banning Sunday sales at certain times during the day.
Those states are:
Arkansas
Alcohol and liquor sales are prohibited in most counties on Sunday and statewide on Christmas day.
Georgia
Alcohol sales vary by county. Counties that do allow Sunday sales cannot sell alcohol until 12:30 p.m.
Mississippi
Liquor stores are closed on Sunday, but beer is still sold at grocery stores.
North Carolina
State-run liquor stores are closed, which means no liquor sales. Beer is sold all day on Sunday at grocery stores.
South Carolina
No hard liquor sales are permitted on Sunday. Beer and wine can be purchased all day.
Tennessee
No wine or liquor sales are permitted on Sunday. Beer is sold all day.
Texas
No liquor sales are permitted. Beer and wine cannot be sold until noon.
West Virginia
No liquor sales are permitted. Beer and wine cannot be sold until 1:00 pm.
Setting up grocery pick-up. Any other states still have “blue laws” about purchasing alcohol on Sundays? In TX, no alcohol sales on Sundays before noon, & no liquor stores open on Sundays at all. pic.twitter.com/QNNgdonupp
— Carol Beth Anderson (goes by Beth) (@CBethAnderson) July 13, 2019
Why are they called blue laws?
Blue laws are designed to ban certain activities on Sunday for religious reasons, particularly to observe a day of worship or rest.
Some states ban horse racing and car sales on Sundays. Some states ban hunting on Sundays. A handful of states ban the sale of alcohol on Sunday.
I found two theories about why they are called blue laws. The first one is the one that I had always heard: that the laws were originally written on blue paper.
However, the more likely reason is based on the 18th-century usage of the word “blue.” In the 18th century, “blue” meant rigidly moral in a disparaging sense. (source)
They were originally enacted to encourage church attendance and restrict activity to that which was deemed worthy of observation on the Sabbath.
The first blue law was enacted in colonial Virginia in 1610. Though it wasn’t called a blue law, it mandated church attendance on Sundays. The law also prohibited unseemly behavior.
Drinking alcohol or public displays of affection were subject to penalties that included large fines or confinement.
Eventually, blue laws evolved to ban the sale of tobacco and alcohol as well as unnecessary labor. Some areas also prohibited some kinds of entertainment.
What states still have blue laws?
Many states still have blue laws in place, but most of them have been repealed in the United States.
Even so, the Supreme Court has held that blue laws are constitutional. Blue laws ensure that mail carriers get a day of rest, guarantee a day of rest for religious reasons, and protect workers and families.
Some states ban certain alcohol sales. Others ban car sales on Sundays and others ban horse racing.
The states below currently have blue laws in place:
Arkansas
Alcohol and liquor sales are prohibited in most counties on Sunday and statewide on Christmas day.
Georgia
Alcohol sales vary by county. Counties that do allow Sunday sales cannot sell alcohol until 12:30 p.m.
Illinois
Horse racing is prohibited on Sundays, with exceptions. Car dealerships are closed on Sunday
Iowa
Car sales and mobile home sales are prohibited on Sunday
Maine
Hunting is prohibited on Sunday. Almost all businesses are prohibited from opening on Thanksgiving Day.
Maryland
Car dealerships are prohibited from doing business on Sunday, with some exceptions. Professional sports teams are prohibited from playing games before 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Massachusetts
Alcohol sales are banned on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and Memorial Day.
Minnesota
Car dealerships are not allowed to do business on Sunday.
Mississippi
Liquor stores are closed on Sunday, but beer is still sold at grocery stores.
North Carolina
State-run liquor stores are closed, which means no liquor sales. Beer is sold all day on Sunday at grocery stores. Gun hunting is prohibited on Sunday between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Oklahoma
Car dealerships are closed on Sunday.
Pennsylvania
Hunting is prohibited on Sunday, except for foxes, crows, and coyotes.
Tennessee
No wine or liquor sales are permitted on Sunday. Beer is sold all day.
Texas
car dealerships must be closed on either Saturday or Sunday. The dealer gets to choose which day. No liquor sales are permitted on Sunday. Beer and wine cannot be sold until noon.
West Virginia
No liquor sales are permitted on Sunday. Beer and wine cannot be sold until 1:00 pm. Hunting is prohibited in all but 14 counties.
Final Thoughts
Trying to purchase alcohol, especially liquor, while you’re traveling from state to state can be very frustrating.
Laws are regulated at the state level and many states pass that responsibility down to counties and cities. I’ve discussed a few of those regulations including blue laws and how they affect alcohol sales in certain states.
I also talked about what states allow the sale of liquor at grocery stores, as well as any limitations. And, I even listed the states that do not allow the sale of liquor at grocery stores.
While this is a pretty thorough guide, you should still check the local laws. That’s especially true if you are going to a state that has different laws for different counties.
Lots of people love steak. But let’s face it, not all meat is created equal. So many steak lovers have wondered which grocery store has the best steaks?
The best grade of beef is Prime, and organic grass-fed is premium in terms of meat quality, taste & health. Unfortunately prime beef is only available in small quantities to grocers like Wegmans or Whole Foods Market due to low demand due to its premium price. But the best nationwide grocer for steaks is Whole Foods.
However, it’s not quite that simple.
After all, there are so many different kinds of cuts, gradings, aging, and much more.
So, this article is going to be all about your favorite cut of meat! We’re going to talk about what makes one steak better than another.
We’re also going to talk about which supermarkets have the best quality meat and how to pick a steak at the grocery store. We will define USDA meat grades and grass-fed versus grain-fed organic beef.
What is steak and what part of the cow do they come from?
Steak is not just any piece of meat. Steak is generally defined as a cut of meat that is sliced across the muscle fibers.
There are many different kinds of steak, each coming from different areas of the cow. Each type of steak has different characteristics. Ribeyes come from the rib area. T-bones, porterhouse, filet mignon, and strip steaks come from the loin.
Some steaks, like skirt steak and flank steak, are cut with the muscle fibers. They come from the short plate and the flank. They also tend to be tougher than other steaks.
Arguably, one of the hardest things about cooking steak at home is picking and purchasing steak at the supermarket. It’s not surprising, either. There are a ton of choices!
Like steak, but not sure if Prime is worth the money?
I recently conducted a blind taste test of USDA Choice, USDA Prime, Certified Angus, and Grass-fed ribeye steaks.
Prime is definitely the most expensive of those 4, but did it taste the best? Find out my results in this recent article and brief video where you’ll see it all unfold!
We all have our own idea of what makes a steak “good.”
The same applies when we talk about “better” steaks. For this article, we’re going to assume that the better steak is super flavorful yet tender. We’re also going to assume that cost is not a factor.
Filet Mignon comes from the tenderloin portion of the cow.
It contains very little fat and comes from a non-weight-bearing muscle. This, along with it not containing much connective tissue makes it the most tender cut of meat. However, the lack of fat does not make it the most flavorful.
This is why it is usually served with some sort of sauce or wrapped in bacon.
Strip steaks, like the NY Strip, is a good balance of flavor and tenderness. It’s got some fat in it, making it more flavorful than the filet mignon. It’s also a well-worked muscle, making it less tender.
The Ribeye is the most flavorful cust of meat. Look for high marbling. This is the white swirling you’ll see in the steak. The more marbling, the more flavorful the steak. If cooked with care, it can also be very tender.
So, what makes one steak better than another steak? A good amount of fat (for flavor) and cut from an area that doesn’t do much work (for tenderness).
So some steaks are more expensive than others. But at the end of the day, are all steaks chewy?
Big steak tonight for dinner what sides can go with it. H-E-B best grocery store unless you hit the whole food markets I rock with that too pic.twitter.com/STGVViVEI6
There are tons of supermarkets out there, so this article is going to focus on a handful of well-known supermarkets.
When shopping for meat, you should look for good marbling and nice red color with no brown spots.
Another factor in the quality of meat is whether the cow is given growth hormones or antibiotics. Animals fed right and treated humanely are not just for marketing. They make for better tasting, healthier meat. As a bonus, you can feel good that the cow lived it’s best life before it landed on your plate.
Publix
According to the Publix website, their meat is raised with no antibiotics or added hormones. They are also fed a 100% vegetarian diet. However, they don’t specify whether they are grain-fed or grass-fed.
While Publix indicates that the GreenWise Angus is humanely raised to certain requirements, they don’t specify what those standards are. They also do not indicate whether these standards apply to any other cut of beef sold in the store.
It’s also worth pointing out that places like Whole Foods guarantee their meat and poultry has no added growth hormones or antibiotics EVER. Whereas many brands and stores simply guarantee that their meat and poultry tested free of those things at the time of slaughter.
That means in many cases, the animals or feed have been treated with those things earlier in their lifespan. (source)
Whole Foods Market
Meat sold at Whole Foods has over 100 animal welfare standards it must meet before it is sold in the store.
These standards don’t just apply to beef cattle. They also apply pork, chicken, sheep, goats, and turkey.
If an animal ever gets an antibiotic treatment, it won’t be sold at Whole Foods. They also don’t permit added growth hormones or animal by-products. They also ensure that animals are raised, transported, and slaughtered humanely.
Because there are such stringent standards to the meat that is sold at Whole Foods, you can rest assured that any meat you purchase will be healthy and free of nasty additives.
If you aren’t a fan, you may have wondered why is Whole Foods so popular?
I break down the company from top to bottom in a recent article. Since I worked for them for more than 20 years (not currently), I know a thing or 2 about them, including a lot of insider tips.
Kroger is not as transparent about their meat policy. They do offer antibiotic-free meat and their line of Simple Truth meat products that are free of growth hormones.
They do require that suppliers meet standards set by the North American Meat Institute as well as the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
Trader Joe’s
While Trader Joe’s has a lot of excellent products, meat is not their strong suit.
They do sell organic beef, but they do not have much of a selection. And, as you’d know if you shopped there, everything is prepackaged. They do not have butchers in the store and nothing is cut or packaged in the store.
They sell a lot of marinated meat, but if you are making steak, you will want to make your own marinade, if you marinate it at all. Sometimes meats that are lower quality get packaged in a marinade to mask the lower quality.
So it’s usually best to marinate it yourself.
Wegman’s
Wegman’s sells organic and grass-fed beef, but they do not have any standards as it relates to the humane treatment of cattle.
They are exclusively on the East Coast. With only 89 stores, some of you may have never seen one.
But they are overall a great grocery store. They combine the look and feel of Whole Foods, but in a much larger format with a more lenient set of product standards.
So unlike Whole Foods, you can probably buy that Captain Crunch cereal along with your dry-aged Prime tenderloin and house-made mozzarella.
As far as quality, organic meat does not necessarily mean it’s good meat. Organic meat could be fed grains, which are less healthy than grass-fed cattle. I discuss in more detail the differences between organic and grass-fed meat in the sections below.
How do you pick a steak at the grocery store?
While steak from the local meat market may be the better option for purchasing steak, sometimes is just not possible.
Meat markets (butcher shops) are becoming a rarity. If you do happen to have one nearby, it’s going to mean an extra trip and extra time shopping.
Sometimes it’s just more convenient to do all of your shopping, including meat, at the supermarket.
So, how do you pick a quality steak at the grocery store?
First, check the fat content
You want there to be good marbling, or fat, throughout the steak. Marbling ensures a juicy steak with a deep, rich flavor. Fat on the outer edge of the steak ensures juiciness while helping it retain its shape.
Next, look at the color of the meat
Grass-fed meat usually has a deeper red color with the marbling having a yellowish hue.
Grain-fed meat will be less red with a milky white or creamy-colored marbling.
Be sure to make sure there are no brown spots on the surface of the steak, either.
Color is also a marker for the freshness of the meat as well at its age. Fresh meat will be a lighter shade of red after it is cut. Meat that has been in cold storage for a long time will be a darker shade of red.
Younger meat will be brighter colored than older meat. Darker meat comes from an older animal, meaning it will likely be a tougher cut.
Size does matter!
You want to purchase a steak that is at least one-inch thick.
Thinner steaks cook much faster, making them easier to overcook. An overcooked steak will be chewy and dry. You also want the thickness to be consistent so it’s not done on one end and raw on the other.
Don’t confuse an overcooked steak with a well-done one. Even a well-done steak, when cooked properly, can be juicy and tender.
Finally, shop for your steaks just before you are about to checkout.
Refrigerate or freeze them as soon as you get home. This is more of a safety precaution than anything. You’d hate to cook a steak to perfection just to get sick from it! But, of course, for the best steak possible, cook it shortly after you buy it.
But let’s say you’ve bought the best steak you can afford. How can you make it as tender as possible?
What’s your beef? When you’re choosing meat to buy for #GrillingMonth do you know what the labels actually mean? Here’s USDA’s guide to understanding beef grades: pic.twitter.com/ihNTsTb87z
— USDA Food Safety & Inspection Service (@USDAFoodSafety) July 9, 2019
What are the USDA meat grades?
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grades meat at the request of the meatpacker.
The grading system determines the quality rating based on the amount of marbling in the muscle and the age of the beef.
There are generally three USDA grades of beef that you would buy from the supermarket. From highest to lowest, they are:
Prime
Choice
Select
The highest quality of meat is USDA Prime.
It is the most tender and flavorful cut of meat. It is also hard to find and usually reserved for high-end restaurants. You may be able to find it at the supermarket occasionally but at a premium price.
In short, the higher the ratio of marbling, and the younger the cow, the higher the grade.
The marbling determines the tenderness, juiciness, and flavor. Younger beef produces a finer texture, making it more tender.
The second-highest grade is Choice.
It has less marbling and is generally less tender. Less marbling also means less flavor and juice.
USDA Select is the lowest grade of steak you’ll find at the supermarket.
It is very lean and tougher than other cuts.
USDA Cutter and Canner grades are meats that are typically found in convenience foods, like microwave burritos, pot pies, and other processed food products.
When shopping for steak, be sure to look for the USDA shield.
Many grocers will mark packages as “prime” or “choice,” but unless it has the USDA shield, it’s most likely a marketing ploy.
Organic beef does not necessarily mean it was grass-fed.
Organic means that the animal was not given added hormones or antibiotics or pesticides in the food. The feed can be grass, corn or soy (grains).
Grass-fed meat means that the animal was pasture-raised and was not fed corn or soy. Grass-fed meat is often organic, but organic does not necessarily mean grass-fed.
Because cattle that are fed grain are inherently less healthy, organic does not necessarily mean better. Studies show that grain-fed cattle have unhealthy omega 6 to omega 3 fats. They have higher saturated fat and tend to be pro-inflammatory. (source)
Grass-fed cattle have a much healthier omega 6 to omega 3 fat ratio.
They also tend to contain more vitamins, are less likely to have E. coli, less saturated fat, and fewer calories than commercial grain-fed meat.
So, if you are looking to purchase the healthiest steak, look for organic grass-fed beef with a USDA rating of at least Choice.
Are you a chicken lover too?
I have a recent article that breaks down which grocery stores have the best quality chicken. I also take the mystery out of the common terms like hormone and antibiotic-free.
I even explain how some claims you see on chicken packages are just marketing gimmicks and are really meaningless.
Just click that link to read it on my site.
Come to Whole Foods in Louisville and you will see the best meat department in Louisville. pic.twitter.com/Xrqn3z2YoN
What grocery stores have full-service meat departments with a butcher?
Again, there are countless grocery stores, many of them with full-service meat departments. I’m going to focus on a handful of popular supermarkets.
Publix
Publix has a full-service meat department with a butcher on hand. Butchers are available during regular operating hours to custom cut meat, trim a cut, or repackage portions.
Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods has a full-service meat department with a butcher on hand.
But their meat department also has over 100 animal welfare standards it must meet before it is sold in the store. Some of these standards include no added hormones or antibiotics.
Cows must spend at least ⅔ of their life at pasture. Furthermore, Cows, among other animals, must be raised, transported, and slaughtered humanely.
Kroger
Some, but not all Kroger stores, have an in-house butcher. Check your location to be sure.
Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s does not have a meat department with a butcher. They sell meat in smaller, prepacked packages. Nothing is cut in the stores.
Safeway
Like Publix and Whole Foods, Safeway does have full-service meat departments with butchers on hand. Butchers are available to custom cut any order.
Final thoughts
In this article, we went over all the things you need to know about purchasing steak at the grocery store.
We went over what makes a great steak.
Then we talked about what supermarkets have the best quality meat and how to pick a steak at the grocery store. We also went over USDA meat grades and the differences between grass-fed and grain-fed beef.
Of course, we also talked about what makes one steak better than another.
Then we looked at which supermarkets have the best quality meat and how to pick a steak at the grocery store. We answered all the top questions too, about things like USDA meat grades and grass-fed versus grain-fed organic beef.
Ultimately we answered the question of which grocery store has the best steaks?
My pick for quality, consistency, price, and availability is Whole Foods Market. After all, they operate over 400 stores in multiple countries. While some place like Wegman’s on the East Coast also has great steaks, I can’t give them the win since they don’t operate in most parts of the country.
Small butcher shops, of course, could be well worth checking out too if you have one. But anywhere you can find USDA Prime or at least Choice beef, ideally organically grown and grass-fed, get it! You’ll have a great steak!
I would steer clear of buying meat from places that only sell USDA Select beef and also steer clear of places that don’t have butchers on staff who cut their meat fresh. Trader Joe’s and Aldi come to mind there.
After the end of prohibition in 1933, states were allowed to regulate alcohol sales themselves. But it resulted in a wide variety of laws from state to state. So many have wondered what states allow grocery stores to sell liquor?
I decided to investigate and here’s what I learned:
The states listed below allow sales of liquor in grocery stores:
Arizona
California*
Illinois
Indiana
Louisiana**
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
North Dakota
South Dakota
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
But there’s a lot more to know than that!
Many states allow you to buy beer in grocery stores. But some only allow you to buy wine. Some states will allow you to buy liquor on Sundays, but even some of those don’t let you buy it before noon.
For example, in Nebraska, you cannot purchase liquor until noon. But in Florida, there are no time restrictions on liquor sales, but you can only purchase liquor from liquor stores.
And other states limit the liquor licenses chain stores have so not all locations may actually sell liquor. It all gets very confusing and frustrating.
** Louisiana liquor sales are allowed in grocery stores. But, individual cities, towns, and villages may disallow it. Shreveport does not allow hard liquor sales in grocery and other non-liquor store outlets. Bossier city does allow hard liquor sales in grocery stores. Rural Caddo Parish allows it as well.
Hi my name is Rachel and I am addicted to buying bourbon.
Can you buy liquor on Sundays in the states that allow liquor in grocery stores?
The states listed below allow sales of liquor in grocery stores on Sunday:
Washington
California*
Nevada
Arizona
New Mexico
Wyoming
North Dakota
South Dakota
Nebraska**
Missouri
Illinois
Wisconsin
Michigan
Massachusetts
*California does not allow alcohol to be displayed within five feet of the cash register if the establishment also sells motor fuel. (Because it encourages drinking and driving???)
**Nebraska allows liquor sales on Sunday beginning at noon.
Indiana does allow the sale of liquor in grocery stores. However, there are no alcohol sales at grocery stores on Sunday whatsoever. West Virginia grocery stores are prohibited from selling liquor all day on Sunday.
Trader Joe’s is known for its low prices. But what about liquor? Do they sell it and is it also cheap?
Prohibition ended in 1933 with the ratification of the 21st amendment.
Since that time, alcohol has been regulated by a combination of federal, state, and local laws. These laws regulate the manufacturing and the sale of alcohol, as well as the drinking age.
The 21st amendment is the primary federal law governing alcohol policies. It also gives individual states control over whether to allow the sale of alcohol in the state at all.
It also regulates importing, distribution and possession of alcohol within the state. Some states offer local governments control over alcohol policy development and enforcement. Other states control alcohol policy at the state government level.
Unfortunately, the confusing state of affairs as it relates to alcohol policy is the drawback of giving states and local governments control over alcohol policy.
However, even with the flexibility of some laws at the state level, Congress maintains the power over certain alcohol policies, such as the minimum legal drinking age.
Love tequila? I sure do. But in the states that allow it, does Trader Joe’s carry tequila?
In some states, the state has complete ownership and control over liquor stores.
This means that the stores generate income for the state. This money can be put towards education, infrastructure, or any other government needs. States also offer standardized training for liquor store owners and can restrict the number of liquor stores across the state.
Considering how many extra dollars are generated for the state, it’s interesting that there aren’t more states doing this. The states that currently have state-owned liquor stores are:
Alabama
Idaho
New Hampshire
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Utah
Virginia
State-owned liquor stores are typically closed on Sunday and voting day.
Note: the states labeled “No Sales” allow the sale of beer with very low alcohol content. As Christopher Ingraham says, “Near beer isn’t real beer.”
Alcohol is prohibited from being sold in grocery stores in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Alaska.
Maryland laws vary widely from county to county. Consult this county by county list to get the complete breakdown of laws.
Many states still prohibit the sale of alcohol on Sundays. Those that do allow sales on Sunday often can’t sell it until later in the day.
Check the state laws if you are planning on traveling to another state. It can be very frustrating if you are trying to buy alcohol, only to find out when you get to the register that you can’t purchase alcohol on Sunday.
Beer Only Sales
Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Minnesota allow only beer to be purchased at grocery stores.
However, grocery store sales are limited to beer with 4% ABV or lower. In Utah, beer over 4% ABV must be sold in state-run stores. Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Minnesota require that beer over 4% ABV be sold at liquor stores.
Of interest, Oklahoma requires that beer sold at liquor stores be sold at room temperature. (less likely to crack one open on the way home???)
New Jersey is interesting. While they do not limit the ABV of beer, grocery chains are only allowed 2 liquor licenses for the entire state.
This means that only 2 locations for each chain can sell beer in their stores. As a result, most grocery stores do not sell alcohol. Additionally, many establishments have a BYOB policy.
Liquor licenses are so expensive in New Jersey that they actually allow patrons to bring their own beer and wine for consumption.
Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, New York, and Connecticut all allow beer to be sold in grocery stores. However, there are some things you need to be mindful of:
Kentucky is said to have some of the most confusing liquor laws in the country.
They have wet, dry, and “moist” counties. It might be a good idea to check out their official wet/dry map before trying to purchase alcohol in Kentucky.
Alabama and Mississippi have several dry counties as well. Their official wet/dry lists can be found here and here, respectively.
Southeastern states, along with Texas, Oregon, Indiana, Montana, Ohio, Vermont, and New Hampshire allow beer and wine sales in grocery stores.
Note: 40oz bottles of beer or malt liquor are not sold in Florida. The maximum available size is 32oz.
New Hampshire homebrewers take note: New Hampshire limits household beer or wine production to 100 gallons per year if you’re doing it by yourself (200 gallons if someone else helps).
Fun fact: As the flagship home of prohibition, Westerville, Ohio was once known as the “Dry Capital of the World.” During a period known as the Ohio Whiskey Wars, a businessman named Henry Corbin owned a saloon and sold alcohol despite local laws banning it.
The building was blown up in protest by residents multiple times.
Beer, Wine and Liquor Sales
Southwestern states and most midwestern states allow sales of beer, wine, and liquor in grocery stores.
The states listed below allow sales of liquor in grocery stores:
Arizona
California*
Illinois
Indiana
Louisiana**
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
North Dakota
Missouri
Michigan
Massachusetts
South Dakota
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
*Fun fact: California does not allow alcohol to be displayed within five feet of the cash register if the establishment also sells motor fuel.
** Louisiana liquor sales are allowed in grocery stores. But, individual cities, towns, and villages may disallow it. Shreveport does not allow hard liquor sales in grocery and other non-liquor store outlets. Bossier city does allow hard liquor sales in grocery stores. Rural Caddo Parish allows it as well.
Final thoughts
Trying to purchase alcohol while you’re traveling from state to state is very frustrating.
Laws are regulated at the state level and many states pass that responsibility down to counties and cities. We’ve gone over many of the laws, and have hopefully made it a little easier to navigate.
While this is a pretty thorough guide, you should still check the local laws. That’s especially true if you are going to a state that has several wet, dry or “moist” counties.
One thing more and more shoppers do these days is to order their groceries through companies like Instacart.
You can order beer, wine, and liquor through Instacart. But one thing you may not know is which stores Instacart raises the prices on.
Yes, it’s true. While they don’t do it with all stores, Instacart does bump prices up an average of 15% on many grocery stores. Check out which ones in a recent article.
I’ve sold organic and non-organic food for decades but the most common question I get asked by shoppers is what’s the cost difference between organic & non-organic food?
Organically grown food is between 10%-20% more expensive than the same items not grown organically. The cost difference depends on the type of food item and where you buy it, as the buying power of a large chain can bring the cost down.
But there’s a lot more to know about the cost differences, why organic food costs more, and what you can do to get the best prices.
And if you’re concerned about pesticides and GMOs, we’ll also get into the 12 items you should definitely spend the extra money on to buy organic.
To understand why so many people are willing to spend more money on organic food, we have to know the differences. When it’s all said and done, you might be more inclined to reach for the organic aisle next time you’re at the store.
Let’s take a quick look to see what there is to know.
What is the Difference Between Organic and Non-Organic Foods?
The main difference between organic and non-organic food is that organic food isn’t made with the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and other artificial treatments. Organically-grown foods are regulated by the government, with strict requirements, testing & inspections required.
Non-organic food might be quicker to grow, but there have been some questions about the safety of non-organic foods that have caused many consumers to switch organic alternatives.
There currently aren’t any studies that directly link non-organic foods to health problems. However, the fuss is more about why someone should consume something with pesticides, growth hormones or GMOs in the first place.
To give you an idea of what’s used in the growth process of non-organic foods, here’s a list of a few common additives:
These might all sound a bit scary, but let’s take a step back for a second. Millions of people eat non-organic food every single day. The additives might have intimidating names, but they all serve a specific, justifiable purpose.
For example, herbicides and pesticides are both used to prevent bugs and invasive weeds from getting into the crops. A good representation of this would be the classic worm in the apple. Non-organic apples don’t have much of an issue with worms or other bugs due to the pesticides used.
GMOs and other hormones used in non-organic foods are designed to help grow food quicker. The USA has over 300 million people living within its borders. GMOs help with feeding that many people, and it’s still up for debate whether organic food could feed that many people, much less the entire world’s population.
If you’re worried about all of the pesticides and other sprays used on your food, simply wash them off before eating. In truth, many organic foods still have plant-based pesticides on them. Cleaning any food before consumption is always a good idea.
Organically-grown items are rarely as cheap as non-organic food items. This is due to the costs of being a certified organically-grown farm, but also supply and demand.
As I mentioned above, organic foods are regulated by the government. But they’re still not found at the grocery store nearly as often as so-called conventional foods.
Because organic food is less common, there are fewer growers. And those growers are smaller producers. All of that adds up to higher prices compared to the large multi-national corporate food producers.
After all, it’s much easier for a company to mass-produce hundreds of thousands of apples using GMOs (genetically modified organisms) and pesticides to ensure no bugs eat up half their supply.
But to call your product “organic” farmers and suppliers also have to pay for the certification. The cost to get organic certification can vary but is often upwards of $1,500. No big deal for a large company like Conagra. But a huge deal for your local farmer.
Here are a few examples of non-organic foods that are commonly more expensive than organic foods:
Oatmeal
Brown rice
Various other grains
On the other hand, here are some organic foods that are typically more expensive than non-organic foods:
Yogurt
Cheese
Romaine lettuce
Peanut butter
Beef burgers
Canned tomatoes
The list for this comparison can go on and on.
Most fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products are more expensive when they’re organic. It’s rare to find an instance in these food categories where organic is cheaper than non-organic.
However, grocery stores will occasionally mark down organic food on a sale, which can place the price of organic food lower than the non-organic alternative.
Often, organically-grown foods are as much as 20% more expensive than non-organically-grown foods of the same type. But you may see that difference be lower in areas with a larger number of organically-certified farms.
Now that you’ve seen that the vast majority of food is more expensive when it’s organic, you might be wondering how big the price difference can be.
As mentioned above, meat, dairy, and other produce tend to cost much more. A recent study shows the following:
Non-organic carrots cost $0.71 per pound.
Their organic counterparts come out to $1.51 per pound.
The price differential is about 96%, which is rather staggering
Another example points towards the massive difference between non-organic and organic yogurt.
Non-yogurt came out to $0.06 an ounce.
Organic yogurt was $0.13 an ounce.
It might not look like much, but the 117% increase adds up
However, brown rice and oatmeal were often cheaper when they were organic. Here are two examples of such instances:
Organic oatmeal was $0.16 an ounce, while non-organic oatmeal was $0.17 an ounce. The difference came out to be -6%.
Organic brown rice was $0.09 an ounce, while non-organic brown rice was $0.10 an ounce.
The difference in this part of the study was -10%
There were also suggestions that organic food is sometimes more expensive than another brand of the same organic food.
Aside from brand name preferences, there’s a reason for these price changes. It all depends on the type of groceries and how far away they were sourced.
Organic food that comes from a local farm might be a bit more expensive, but that’s simply because of the qualifications to be considered “organic.” When something comes from far away, a certain level of pesticides (likely plant-based) is necessary to keep them safe from bugs during travel.
Many people concerned about their health, so prefer to spend more on organically-grown items to avoid GMOs, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides since we have not had the ability to study the long-term effects of those.
So, organic food is more than worth the investment to many consumers.
Knowing that they don’t have pesticides and growth hormones provides great peace of mind. While no studies point directly at the negative health benefits of non-organic foods, it’s still nice to know what you’re eating.
But the lack of studies also means we don’t really know the long-term effects of GMOs, pesticides, growth hormones, etc.
I can tell you that many things approved for use in the US are banned in Europe and a lot of that has to do with the large amounts of money that flow from the large chemical producers into the back pockets of politicians and lobbying groups.
The truth is that organic food is worth the extra money if you’re concerned about the additives.
For those of you on a budget, consider buying organic for these items only, known as the “Dirty Dozen” which are the most contaminated foods:
Strawberries
Spinach
Nectarines
Apples
Peaches
Pears
Cherries
Grapes
Celery
Tomatoes
Sweet bell peppers
Potatoes
They’re not any more nutritious than non-organic foods, but they’re purer and contain fewer chemicals. In the end, it’s up for you to decide whether or not the price hike is worth it.
Can you guess which fruits and veggies have the highest exposure to pesticides? If you’re trying to avoid exposure you should avoid (or opt for organic) produce that’s high on the Dirty Dozen List. Here’s the scoop: https://t.co/anYL3EUWcjpic.twitter.com/RzZ3VMUFcl
— IntegrativeNutrition (@NutritionSchool) May 17, 2018
Why Is Organic Food So Expensive?
Organic food is more expensive because of the costs involved with certification and increased pest management costs due to not using pesticides. Additionally, most organic farms are quite small compared to large conventional conglomerate farms, limiting their resources, making it harder to compete.
It’s going to be interesting to see how much the prices rise or lower in the upcoming years for organic food.
But I can tell you as someone who first started working for Whole Foods Market back in 1988, organically grown food has come a LONG way. Back then there was no certification, so anyone could call anything organic if they wanted to. It was also significantly more expensive back then too.
That was because there were so few people growing organically, and the consumer demand was low. As awareness has increased so has consumer demand. That always drives prices down.
Then as demand rose, large chain stores like Safeway jumped on the bandwagon, as did large food producers. All of which help consumers have better prices on organically grown food.
Recent trends have caused many companies to offer organic products to their selection, but will there ever be a time when all food is organic? And if so, will organic food still have high prices?
And if you think organic food is more expensive just so grocery stores can make more money, think again!
Grocery stores actually make very small profit margins. How low? I cover it all in a recent article. I even get into how these lower profit margins can work to your advantage with the prices you pay at checkout.
Just click that link to read it on my site.
Final Thoughts
Organic and non-organic food both have the same fantastic nutritional value.
But if you want the benefits of not eating food grown with chemical fertilizers, pesticides, GMOs or growth hormones, it will cost you. On average, organically grown food costs 10-20% more than non-organic.
Here are a few tips for picking out the best deals at your local grocery market:
Always look for deals on organic food
Keep in mind that organic brown rice, oatmeal, and other grains can be cheaper
Price increases are based on an average, so you might find similar prices between the two specifications
Just because it’s organic doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have plant-based pesticides
Want to look for more opportunities to find organically grown items on sale?
It helps to know exactly how and why stores pick certain items for their weekly and monthly sales. Check out this recent article where I break down all the insider tips on grocery store sales, how they get picked and how you can take better advantage of them.
Aseptic containers can be found all over grocery store aisles. But as more and more people are going green, I’ve wondered are aseptic containers recyclable?
Aseptic cartons, which are made of layered paper, aluminum foil & plastic can be recycled in many major cities. But they are not always accepted curbside. Some cities have drop-off locations, but others don’t have a recycling option at all. In cases where it is not available, they can be mailed to recycling centers.
But there’s a lot more to know about them, why they are used and what the best thing is to do with them when you’ve emptied one, including the greenest thing you can do with them.
So let’s keep going!
What is an aseptic container or carton (also known as a Tetra Pak)?
Here are some of the most common food and beverages to be packaged in aseptic cartons:
Juice boxes
Chicken, beef, or veggie broth
Soup
Rice, Soy, or other non-dairy milk
Tomatoes
Wine
Aseptic processing, in one form or another, has been used since 1927. But it wasn’t until the 1940’s that the technology really flourished and became widely used, especially by Dole.
Back then it was just a method of pasteurizing foods and packaging them in ways that didn’t require refrigeration.
However, the packaging we see today on our grocery shelves came about in 1959 and was referred to as tetrahedrons. The cartons are made by layering paper, aluminum foil, and plastic.
Luckily, all three of those materials can be recyled. However, the challenge comes with separating the layers. For that reason, as we’ll get into more below, they can’t always be recycled curbside.
Tetra Pak is a company that makes packaging like this, so Tetra Pak is simply a brand name.
They introduced this packaging in the US in 1962. However, at the time the cartons were hard to open and did not sell well.
However, they were widely used by the US Navy.
Other kinds of similar cartons are often found in the dairy section, selling milk, Silk non-dairy milk, and liquid egg whites. These cartons are officially known as gable-top cartons.
Here’s is a visual guide to the new service starting on Monday 30 September. We are unable to collect cartons (Tetra Pak) in the green-lidded recycling bin. Please place cartons in your black residual waste bin. Black bin waste is not landfilled, it is burnt for electricity. pic.twitter.com/X1QQJ46tSt
Can you recycle Tetra Paks or chicken broth containers?
The short answer is yes, but you’ll need to check your town’s recycling policies to see if you can recycle them curbside.
Recycling companies have to have the technology to separate the paper layers from the plastic and foil, and not every company can do that.
Want to know if your local recycling company can recycle aseptic cartons? Luckily Carton Council makes it easy to check with your zip code. Just click that link to check your town.
I live outside of Austin, Texas, but I used a central Austin zip code (78704) to see what options Austin has. Unfortunately, I got this message in checking “SORRY, CARTON RECYCLING IS NOT AVAILABLE IN YOUR AREA YET.”
Ironic given how progressive is (especially compared to Dallas which does allow them to be recycled curbside.
I went on to check several major metropolitan cities with the following results:
New York City – (10012) – “Cartons are recyclable through your Curbside Recycling program.”
Hollywood Los Angeles – (90210) – “Cartons are recyclable through your Curbside Recycling program.”
San Francisco, CA – (94117) – “Cartons are recyclable through your Curbside Recycling program.”
Dallas, TX – (75204) – “Cartons are recyclable through your Curbside Recycling program.”
Chicago, IL – (60654) – “Cartons are recyclable through your Curbside Recycling program.”
Orlando, FL – (32809) – “Cartons are recyclable through your Curbside Recycling program.”
Denver, CO – (80205) – “Cartons are recyclable in the Denver Metro Area” (but may vary by county
Nashville, TN – (37027) – “Cartons are recyclable through your Drop-off Recycling program”
Cleveland, OH – (44131) – “Cartons are recyclable through your Curbside Recycling program.”
New Orleans, LA (70122) – “Cartons are recyclable through your Drop-off Recycling program”
So clearly the technology to recycle is available and may be a curbside option in your town. But you should check your zip code to be sure.
Other towns have drop-off locations when curbside is not available.
Quite simply, aseptic packaging allows manufacturers to take something that would normally require refrigeration and enable it to be sold and transported without refrigeration.
In fact, they don’t have to be refrigerated whatsoever until opened.
Aseptic cartons are a great way for manufacturers to make large quantities of products where normally they would have to make small quantities due to short expiration dates.
With aseptic containers, it’s not uncommon for cartons to be dated for up to 1 year ahead of time. So convenience, both for consumers and manufacturers is the #1 reason they are used.
From a green standpoint, although they can’t always be (easily) recycled, they don’t require refrigeration in trucking, warehousing, or selling.
Since aseptic cartons also weigh less than cans or glass bottles, they also use less fuel being distributed across the country.
Stevenage residents can put juice cartons (Tetra Pak) in with paper and cardboard in your blue recycling box, from tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/yShGdwq91g
Why do aseptic containers have a recycling symbol on it if they can’t always be recycled?
As we got into the above, they can actually be recycled curbside in many (but not all) cities.
But, oftentimes the manufacturer puts the symbol on there to indicate they are using recycled or recyclable materials to make the carton.
Tetra Pak, for instance, claims all of their cartons “are made of renewable materials, recyclable paperboard”.
Unfortunately, being made from recyclable materials or made from recycled materials doesn’t always make the end product itself recyclable in every city.
But since recycling is possible, they are labeled that way. The good news is that, according to Tetra Pak, carton recycling has increased 350% since 2009, so that’s a lot of stuff NOT hitting the landfill!
@TalkingTrashPHX
When I recycle a @TetraPak Tetra Brik Aseptic container do I
1) Leave the plastic cap on, or
2) Take it off and throw it away?
I usually rinse it out first. Is that necessary?
Thanks in advance. #recyclingpic.twitter.com/MzygJlRxAZ
Do aseptic containers have to be trashed if my town doesn’t recycle them?
No, is the short answer. You can save the local landfill and do your part to recycle by mailing them to a recycling center.
Here is how to do that:
Make sure the cartons are empty and totally dry
If they came with a screw-on cap, leave the cap on.
If they came with straws (like juice boxes) place the straws inside the empty container
It’s OK to flatten them
Place multiple cartons in a box
Write “cartons” on the front of the box
Mail your cartons to the address below that is closest to where you live:
Altogether Recycling, 645 W 53rd Place, Denver, CO 80216
Firstar Fiber, 10330 “I” Street; Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68127
Tidewater Fiber, 1958 Diamond Hill Road, Chesapeake, VA 23324
Final Thoughts
In this article, we took a quick look at the world of Tetra Pak packaging, also called aseptic cartons or containers.
This type of packaging is found all over the grocery store, from chicken broth to non-dairy milk, to tomatoes. But while the containers often have the recycling symbol on them, many people have asked the question are aseptic containers recyclable?
Sadly, they are not always easily recyclable, despite being marked that way.
But more and more cities are starting to get on board with recycling them. Many cities now allow them with curbside pickup, while others have local drop-off centers.
As a last resort, there are centers you can mail aseptic containers to for recycling.
and stamps.com are great options. Besides, stamps.com offers lower prices, overall, and some related services make postage a breeze.
