Do You Buy Generic/Store-Brand Food?

April 25, 2008

With the rising prices of food, and the strange economy, the prices on generic/store-brand goods are looking mighty appealing. There are certain brands I enjoy, and others I don't like at all, but if it means saving a few bucks, maybe I can make do. How about you?

42 Comments

ilanac13 5 years 3 weeks

it really depends on waht i'm picking up. there are a lot of times when i'm ok with getting the store brand, and othrs when i'd prefer the name brand. i think that it's partly to dowith what you were raised on. there are some things that you just automatically go for the name brand since that's what you know. a lot of the time these days though, i'm trying to save money so i go for generic. Publix has the best store brand stuff and too bad they don't have publix in NYC. i miss that from FL cause i knew that i was getting good quality.

GlowingMoon 5 years 4 weeks

I always try to buy generic - Trader Joe's, Target, Albertson's, etc. The only item that is not available in generic is a tasty, heart-healthy, light mayo.

fuzzles 5 years 4 weeks

Had to add that I DO spend money for high quality cheeses and cooking oils like olive or nut oils. Life is too short to eat crappy cheese!

aimeeb 5 years 4 weeks

Oh lord, this is a touchy subject with me. I can't stand people who claim such and such brand is better. I have made countless meals and desserts for people who rave and then can't believe it was with store brand products. It really peeves me off. I recently went shopping with my boyfriend who kept trying to shove super expensive brand name stuff into my cart. Lord it peeved me off. I mean ketchup is ketchup and to be honest I really do not taste a huge difference in store/brand name for most everything.

Frika 5 years 4 weeks

most things I buy generic/store brand. but there are a few things I don't like generic. I once got the generic version of Special K with Strawberries and it was disgusting, I couldn't finish the box!

anniekim 5 years 4 weeks

Shaw's/Albertson's make a lot of good generic things and Whole Foods 365 is often better than name brand. My 4 year old, for example, will only eat shaw's or stop n shop brand granola bars (whoever makes them makes for both chains, they are identical right down to the wrapper) There are some things that just don't work in generic and some gereric barnds that are always horrid. So, I'd say, so have to try things out and see how they work for you. I completely agree with the above comments re: mac n cheese, pop tarts and cheerios.

NiceDriveway 5 years 4 weeks

I used to, but I found the quality of Hannaford brand was SO low. :(

kpelli73 5 years 4 weeks

I buy generic of almost anything...Trader Joe's Brand is better than almost any brand name. My only exception in other stores is cereal. Generic Cheerios are just not Cheerios to me.

DreaAST 5 years 4 weeks

The only thing I will not buy generic is Pop Tarts!

andrennabird 5 years 4 weeks

I will buy anything that's Trader Joe's brand without hesitation!

LaurenG22 5 years 4 weeks

ewww really people? Milk in generic form!?? UGH

rainydaybleus 5 years 4 weeks

market pantry (target brand) mac and cheese kicks kraft's butt, and i am a big time trader joe's whore

sofi 5 years 4 weeks

colormesticky-I am still thinking about your comment. I do tend to buy many store brand stuff, but I might think twice next time I am in Safeway.

Marci 5 years 4 weeks

I buy mostly brands, but I have a few generic items I'll guy - all canned goods. I've never found a generic that was *better* than a brand name, but I've certainly found that they're usually just as good. Target's Archer Farms are very good.

uptown_girl 5 years 4 weeks

I love Whole Foods 365, and Publix brand as well.

elephantheart 5 years 4 weeks

I don't buy only generic. But a couple of the markets I shop at have organic storebrand products, and I'll buy those. If the choice comes between organic generic or brand name conventional, I will definitely buy the organic generic.

amers230 5 years 4 weeks

i have preferences for both. meijer's generics are usually pretty good and i much prefer some of their cereal and mac and cheese to any brand name's counterparts (my mom thinks i'm crazy because i point blank refuse to eat anything but meijers mac and cheese lol.) they also have really good meats and cheeses and such. i really like target's generic line as well, market pantry i think? for thinks like seasonings and dressings i like certain brand names better though.

calliemicks 5 years 4 weeks

I agree with ElizabethRae- some generic items really do taste better. For example, I live in SoCal and the Albertson's brand of lower sugar maple and brown sugar instant oatmeal is way better than quaker. And it has less sugar, not more as you would suspect.

emalove 5 years 4 weeks

I'm not really one to buy generic store brands...I have preferred brands for almost every item I buy. But I DO sometimes buy the Whole Foods 365 brand. That's really the only one though.

guinnevere 5 years 4 weeks

i mean, try it and find what you like. dont be a brand snob with nothing to back it up. but truthfully, most canned/frozen veggies are made at the very same plant, with the very same vegetables as the del monte, for example. i used to work for a grocery distributor so i know a lot about it.

Leilanic1 5 years 4 weeks

it depends on the product. usually canned goods i'll buy the store brand or frozen veggies and fruit.

kiddylnd 5 years 4 weeks

Oh - my one NEVER, EVER product to buy generic is Mayo! Gots to be Best Foods (west coast) or Hellmans.

plasticapple 5 years 4 weeks

Yep. There are a few products I will only buy a certain brand of (like spaghetti sauce, only Prego!). But generally I don't have a problem buying store brands.