Where do you shop for food?

I ask this question to find out how often we here at DU are willing to put our wallets on the line in the interest of preserving small farms and small businesses.

I'm sure that's what you mean, since I doubt anyone buys their food from just one of those sources exclusively.

I shop my local supermarkets, but most often do food shopping at Target.

Then I'll be mighty impressed, so I will!

Unfortunatly I haven't reached a "self sufficient" level yet. I am working on buying some cows (I have to fix the fences and put up some shelter first). I don't think I will do my own slaughtering though, there are companies close by that will do it.

Pretty darn amazing! I do admire you for doing this.

Of course myself, I prefer a restaurant, I suppose it's just out of sheer laziness...but also I do like the way they prepare the food.

involved with the Share program for years. I also buy my canned goods and bread at the local "dented can" grocery store. I buy all my paper goods, cleaning supplies, and soda at Costco.

But, I want to know who checked "only eats in restaurants". Now, that is just as remarkable in the other direction. :)

The food pantry.

perhaps a bit more pricey but I refuse to shop at walmart.

I get produce at local farmer's markets whenever possible.

which is where I get the organic produce my SO doesn't grow (he sells at the market) and where I get wonderful homemade bread. Luckily California has a year round growing season and my SO grows lettuces, chards, kales, other greens, broccoli-rob, broccoli, cauliflower, squashes, onions, and a few other items in the winter. We have been shelling organic walnuts and almonds that are on his farm and are still eating frozen/dried fruits and veggies from the summer harvest.

After that I shop at my local co-op, then Canned Foods Grocery Outlet (which sometimes gets organic items).

SO also brings home lots of goodies from the Sacramento Farmer's market as they are lots bigger than ours and have many more organic items to choose from and at reasonable prices.

For meat which is only once or twice a week we go to the local Raley's, and once in a while buy the grass-fed beef at the farmer's market (it is expensive!).

Hopefully in spring SO may get a calf and perhaps a pig, but my son says he won't eat anything that he helps raise...

Except for: Only Eat at Restaurants.

We do a Friday run to:

Health Food Store
Price Club
Big Lots
Chinese Market
Regional Chain
Local Produce Guy

in that order and it takes several hours, but we buy for a few weeks at a time. I also grow a garden and can lots of veg and legumes for the winter, along with jellies.

We figure we spend (on the average) less than the average family of our size. But the quality of the food is much better considering the price.

and Free Store.

is where i do the majority of my canned goods/non-perishable shopping. it's much cheaper. for produce/meat/dairy, etc., i shop at raleys or safeway, the closest stores. raley's is preferred as it's regional. for cat food, liquor, and other "specialty" items i prefer costco or trader joe's.