Alexandria, Virginia (Zip 22301) is in the Spotlight this week as we help another member locate decent grocery deals and trim the budget to around $50 for the week.
lmfries wrote:
Got a big challenge for you. I am in the Washington DC area, which has some of the most expensive prices all around. My zip code is 22301. I generally go to Shoppers Food Warehouse; Giant or Trader Joe’s
Thank you Lmfries for your request for help, we LOVE a challenge! Alexandria, VA is a lovely area, but is known for being considerably more expensive. As such, in looking over the store choices that this member frequents, it’s not surprising that it’s difficult to find decent prices, 2 of those store choices don’t offer a lot in the way of savings, but here are some deals we found:
Shoppers Food: Weekly deals 8/2-8/8-2012
Chicken Leg Quarters .79lb
Pork spareribs $1.99 lb
Peaches or Plums .99 lb
Cucumbers .89 each
Summer Squash or Zucchini $1.49 lb
Fresh Eggplant $1.29 lb
Cilantro .69
Tilapia $3.99 lb
Asparagus $1.99 lb
Tomatoes .99 lb
Mangoes .89
Avocado .79
Broccoli $1.49
Cauliflower 2.29
Sour cream $1.89
Cream Cheese $1.39
Real Butter $2.39
Birds Eye Frozen Veggies $1.39
Pasta Sauce $1.50
Giant Deals from their weekly flyer valid 8/3-8/9/2012– Unfortunately, this store didn’t appear to have enough deals to make it worth the drive.
B1G1F Lettuce (Romaine) & Grape Tomatoes
sweet corn 6/$2.
Coleslaw $1
Here are a few alternative options that should make a considerable difference in the weekly grocery budget:
This member has an Aldi store less than 4 miles from the zipcode provided. That store is located: ALDI Oxon Hill, MD 6301 B Livingston Rd Oxon Hill, MD 20745
Aldi Deals from This weeks store flyer:
Peaches, Plums or Nectarines .29 each
Reed or Green Grapes 1.09 lb
Cantaloupe 1.39 each
Blueberries $1.69 pint
baby carrots .59
Cereal $1.59 box (multiple types)
Cream Cheese (8oz) $1.49
Grape Jelly $1.69
Bacon $3.29
Peanut Butter $2.29
American Cheese Slices $1.49 (16 slices)
Aldi Everyday Low Price:
Artisan Lettuce $1.99
eggs $1.18 (or less)
Bell Peppers 3/$1.29
Mushrooms 1.29
Bananas .44#
Celery $1.29
Canned Tomatoes .69
Canned Beans .59 can
Milk $3.18 gallon
Ground Turkey $1.49 lb *freezer section*
Bread $1.19 loaf or less
Frozen Veggies .99 lb
Potatoes 10lbs/$3.29
8/8 Upcoming Ad– offers fresh split chicken breast for 99 lb
Kirkwood Fresh Chicken Breast $1.99
Hamburger or Hot Dog Buns .99
Pork Chops $2.49 lb
Flour $1.67
Sugar $2.19
In addition, there is a Sam’s Club only 15 miles away, which is an excellent price to acquire decent deals on meat. August 3-5 is a Tax free weekend in this particular area and consumers can try Sam’s club for free if they’re not a member.
Pork Butt is usually $1.68 lb
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast is $1.77lb
Cheese $11. per 5# bag
If you have the opportunity to shop midweek in the morning hours, you will most likely find excellent deals on beef.
Based on these prices & stores, the member could follow our own weekly menu plan quite easily and still stay within $60 per week.
Potential Grocery List:
Milk $3.18
Bread $1.19
Red or Green Grapes 1.09
Carrots .59 (x2) = 1.18
Cream Cheese 1.39
Cantaloupe 1.39
Peaches or Plums .29 each or .99 lb- averages out about the same, about 3 pieces of fruit per pound.
Summer Squash 1.69 (24oz)
Zucchini 1.69 (24oz)
Mango .89
Avocado .79
eggs (2doz) 1.98
American Cheese Slices $1.49 (16 slices)
Bananas .44# (x4lbs) = $1.76
Ground Turkey $1.49 lb *freezer section*
Artisan Lettuce $1.99
Celery $1.29
Bell Peppers 3/$1.29
Rice $1.
Tilapia $3.99 lb x 1 = $3.99
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast is (5lbs) $1.77lb =8.85
Cucumber .89
Canned Tomatoes .69
Canned Beans .59
Tomatoes 1 lb .99
Broccoli $1.49
Pasta .99 (aldi)
Spinach $1.69
Mushrooms $1.29
——————————————————
Total Spent $50.21
Meal Ideas:
Breakfast:
- Breakfast Biscuits & Eggs
- Banana Pancakes
- Eggs- scrambled, omelets, poached eggs & Hash browns or
- Veggie Quiche
- Cantaloupe Chunks
- Jam Breakfast Bars (instead of bananas, buy a jar of jam for $1.50)
- Melon Banana Salad (Use cantaloupe/bananas)
Lunch & Dinner Ideas:
- Tuscan Chicken
- Broccoli Garlic Penne
- Tandoori Chicken w/ Cucumber Raita, Steamed rice w/ curry seasoning
- Egg Salad Wraps
- Key West Grilled Chicken &Roasted Garlic Summer Squash Spears
- Grilled Tilapia with Avocado Mango Salsa– use the leftovers for “Fish Tacos” Working Womans Grilled Taters
- Skillet Nachos– served over a bed of shredded lettuce, rather than chips – this one is also dependent on whether you use corn or beans- however, it can be altered with other veggies such as diced bell peppers
- Honey Dijon Marinated Chicken – Dilled Zucchini & Summer Squash *Salad
- Grilled Cheese Sandwiches- salad
- Salad with leftover chicken chunks
Snack Ideas:
- Carrot sticks with Cinnamon Apple Cherry Cheeseball
- grapes
- Granola Bars Chewy or Copycat Nature Valley
Farmers Market:
Here are some additional resources in your area that you might not have been aware of, but may offer really decent deals on fresh local produce and other goods:
- A Fresh and Local CSA -Fresh Biodynamically-Grown greens, vegetables and fruit delivered to a location near you for 18 weeks this summer – – the same day they are harvested! Website
- Agora Farms– Offers seasonal vegetables, fruit, Apple, Cherry, and Pear ciders, Apple and Pumpkin butters, Honey, hormone free Eggs, Amish butter, sharp Amish cheddar cheese, Amish yogurt, dried jerky, nuts and fruits, Christmas trees, and Whoopie pies. Location: 7th & C Streets, Southeast, Eastern Market Washington, DC 20003 website – FB
- Bon Vivant Company– An Online Farmers Market, delivering local farm foods directly to customers at their home and office in the DC area. website
- Calypso Creek Farm – offers a food share program website
- Del Ray Farmers Market– Location: Corner of Mt Vernon and Oxford, Alexandria, VA
- Green Tomorrows– offers a produce subscription program for organically grown local produce Location: V Street, NW, between 2nd and 4th Streets, NW Website
Washington DC, DC 20001 - Mount Vernon Farmers Market-Location: 2501 Sherwood Hall Ln Alexandria, VA 22306 website
- Old Town Alexandria Farmers Market:location: 301 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314 FB
- Olin-Fox Farms- The Olin-Fox Farms 6 week Spring Program features locally grown produce – organically, naturally and sustainably grown.
The Spring Program includes: Arugula, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Cucumbers, Free-Range Eggs, Herbs, Pac Choi, Potatoes, Radishes, Salad Mixes, Spinach, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Sugar Snap Peas, Swiss Chard, Tatsoi, Turnips.
Each week’s share will contain 8-12 different items of produce. Location: 236 Chesapeake Beach Road Reedville, VA 22539 website - Southern Towers Farmers Market Location: 4901 Seminary Rd, Alexandria, VA
- Upper King Street Farmers Market: Location: 1806 King St Alexandria, VA 22314 Website FB
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Farmers Market– Location: Corner of 12th and Independence Avenue SW Washington DC, DC 20250 website
- West End Farmers Market Location: 4880 Brenman Park Dr, Alexandria, VA
:note: For Additional Assistance, Check out our eBook, “The 2012 Family Guide to Groceries Under $250 a Month“. If you’ve been trying to lower your own grocery bill in your area, request additional assistance here to have your own zip code featured on our site!
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