Why I Stopped Buying Bread at the Grocery Store

I’m not the first to tell you that grocery prices are on the rise. As a price-conscious shopper, I always review my receipts post-grocery shop, and I’ve noticed the cost of bread slowly creeping up. As it’s quickly traveled from $4.99 to $5.99, to now $6.99, it’s become one of the most expensive items I purchase. So I started brainstorming alternatives. 

Of course, I know making bread from scratch would be the cheapest swap here. But unfortunately I no longer have the lifestyle where I can casually bake off a sourdough boule every Sunday for the week ahead.

On a walk last fall, however, I popped into one of my local bakeries for the first time to grab a pastry, and noticed a few remaining loaves and boules in wooden bins along the wall. A small section of the menu listed a variety of bread options — seeded loaves, sourdough, pumpernickel, ciabattas, etc. — ranging from $4.00 to $8.00. Decision made! 

Going on six months now, all of my bread needs are taken care of by my local bakery. I usually pick up a loaf for $5.00 to $6.00 to get me through the week. The bakery staff will even pre-slice and bag it for me. 

I use the bread to make toast with eggs in the morning, paninis, and grilled cheese on the weekend, or buttered up with garlic to dip into soups and stews for dinner. As the weather begins to warm, I’ve got my heart set on a cool and crunchy chicken salad sandwich in the sunshine. 

What’s one thing you stopped buying at the grocery store? Tell us about it in the comments below.