8 Twin Cities Area Grocery Stores, Ranked by Affordability
We shopped at eight local grocery stores, some locally owned and some not, in search of the cheapest eats.
We compare the prices of 15 items at Twin Cities grocery stores. JEFF WHEELER, STAR TRIBUNE
By Zoë Jackson Star Tribune
APRIL 24, 2024 — 12:09PM
8 Twin Cities area grocery stores, ranked by affordability
We shopped at eight local grocery stores, some locally owned and some not, in search of the cheapest eats.
www.startribune.com
Editor's note: This story was updated after its initial publication to include several factors that can affect grocery price comparisons. The shopping took place over several weeks, meaning some of the prices reported may have shifted over that period, potentially affecting totals. In addition, several of the chain stores featured offer value brand options that more closely match prices at discount competitors.
Eight dollars for a carton of eggs. Seven bucks for a box of Cheerios. For many Twin Cities families, grocery shopping has become a painfully pricey chore.
Food price increases have been front of mind since the pandemic spurred a host of supply chain issues four years ago. More recent hikes in the cost of food can be tied to the war in Ukraine, rising grain prices and high energy costs associated with the production of food, said Tyler Schipper, an associate economics professor at the University of St. Thomas.
There is a disconnect between how economists or policymakers talk about inflation and how people experience it when they are shopping, he said.
"People go to the grocery store, they don't see inflation on the shelves, they see the prices on the shelves and they think something looks really expensive," Schipper said. "And they hear policymakers talking about how things are getting better, but they still see that high price."
There will be no return to 'normal' prices if the normal people are looking for is 2019. Historically, prices only go in one direction — up — and there would have to be a serious economic downturn for price tags to look anything like they did five years ago, Schipper said. Luckily, he added, the speed of price increases seems to be cooling off.
With these questions still at top of mind for many Minnesotans, we decided to go shopping at eight Twin Cities grocery store chains to see what prices are looking like on local shelves. That included a combo of Minnesota-based companies and budget favorites to see which stores can help you get the most bang for your buck.
THE METHOD
We shopped for the same things at all eight stores. The list was boiled down to 15 essentials representing each food group: proteins, dairy, fruits, veggies and grains. We included family favorites that make life easier, too. The goal, though, was a list of true staples of a balanced diet. Sorry, no local coffee beans or boutique ice cream here.A note: We sought to buy name brands as available, to help compare the shopping experience between stores. However, budget stores Aldi and Trader Joe's tend to differ from their competitors because they sell their own brands nearly exclusively. It's one way they keep prices so low. Some of the other stores on this list do offer their own value brands, so seeking those out when available could be one way to lower some of the total prices listed below. Grocery shopping took place over the course of a couple of weeks, so prices may have shifted at some stores.
THE LIST
- a dozen eggs
- gallon of 2% milk
- whole wheat bread
- chicken thighs
- box of spaghetti
- black beans
- 3lb bag of Cuties tangerines (or oranges in a pinch)
- bananas (4)
- head of broccoli
- head of lettuce
- chicken noodle soup
- Jif peanut butter
- Honey Nut Cheerios (family or large size)
- ground beef
- 'bar' style frozen pepperoni pizza (Heggies or Lotzza Motzza)