Groceries

I live in the Hamptons, where milk costs $8 a gallon. I depend on a freelance paycheck, am raising a family, and find that living and eating well in an expensive community defies possibility. So I issued myself a challenge: Save time, money, and effort by doing one massive Costco shopping trip and getting enough to feed my family for one month. Would it be possible to drag out produce so that we didn’t feel beholden to the whims of starch? I intended to find out.

Starting on April 16, Starbucks is overhauling its much-loved rewards program. Subscribers will now have more ways to redeem points, and will be able to cash in their points for rewards sooner. And if you use a Starbucks credit or debit card, your points will never expire. 16 million people use the rewards program, and as CNN reports, the “program accounts for about 40% of sales,” in the U.S., making it wildly popular.

Yeah, you're going to need a bigger cart.

In a recent Reddit AMA thread, a New York City-based Trader Joe's employee revealed why everyone who works at the beloved grocery store seems so happy.

Take all my money.

The 1.3-pound bag of popcorn is perfect for setting next to you on the couch.

It's a squeeze pouch of the Indian-Iraqi-Israeli fermented mango sauce that you find everywhere in Tel Aviv. But is it any good?

In our minds, there are three things that signify the fact that summer is right around the corner: the later sunsets, the thawing temperatures, and the return of Costco’s now-famous vodka pops. And yes, all three have started happening! Our friends over at Costco Deals reported that one of their readers saw these pop up in a store four days ago. Here’s what you need to know about them. 1. They’re just 100 calories each.

Much like Oprah, I love bread — particularly good bread. I blame my husband; he’s half French and definitely a bread connoisseur. We spent some time in France this summer, visiting with family, sharing his culture with our kids, and eating lots and lots of bread. Now that we’re home, there’s only one baguette for us, and it’s from Costco.

NBC News reports that customers are likely to save as much as 20 percent on groceries.

The chain announced plans to make all of its private-label packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025.

The cookie giant is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the moon landing with the only way they know how.

It's time you got rewarded for those shopping splurges!

Is it us or does it feel like summer is taking forever to get here? Sure, we’ve been getting some nice, warm days here and there, but we want those steady 75-degree temps! And so do the folks at Aldi, it seems — because they just leaked info on their seasonal products that’ll be hitting the stores for the summer. Once these warm-weather Aldi Finds make it onto shelves, they’ll be available until September 8 (which seriously feels like a lifetime from now!).

Yesterday, Christina Tosi posted a letter she’d sent to her employees at Milk Bar explaining her decision to change the name of their signature dish from “Crack Pie” to “Milk Bar Pie.” It’s a decision that has been a long time coming for advocates of inclusivity and thoughtfulness in the food writing community, and one that she seemed to come to begrudgingly, but in the end, one that matters.

I recently received some (warranted) criticism for an exercise in which I compared my local drug store prices of commonly purchased household items to the online bulk retail prices at Boxed, which isn’t truly an apples-to-apples situation. (In my defense, I live in New York City where the nearest Costco is more than 100 blocks away and therefore not a realistic option for me.

It's $14 and weighs an incredible 4 pounds.

Yes, you should definitely treat yo'self, but which one is right for you?

Yes, the little plastic packages and big cardboard boxes might seem wasteful and ecologically unfriendly, but it turns out they actually help in a different way.

Have you tried this?

Ree has never been a fan of bottled ranch dressings. "I think you can taste immediately that they're not homemade."

We are getting some serious almost-summer weather here in New York state (where I live!), which has me dreaming about backyard cookouts and late weeknight dinners while the sun is actually still out. So imagine my excitement when I saw an email pop up in my inbox from my friends at Aldi just now. They wanted to give me (and in turn, you!) a sneak peek at the May Aldi Finds — almost all of which were created with summer in mind. I couldn’t click through fast enough.

I grew up in a fairly frugal household — my parents prioritized their spending, brown-bagging their lunches for work every day and skipping out on “extras” like cable TV. Although I had a solidly middle-class childhood (I enjoyed more than my fair share of family vacations and was gifted a used car upon getting my driver’s license), we exclusively shopped on sales racks and rarely ordered anything other than water to drink when we went out to dinner.

I don't want clothes or shoes, cute trinkets, or even gift cards. I only want wine.

When you go to your local Starbucks in the morning to pick up your coffee before heading into the office, do you ever think to yourself, “I wish this was fancier,” or “I wish I could bring a date here”?

It’s becoming clear that humans now more than ever prefer speediness over ambience, at least when it comes to everyday tasks such as running errands or getting breakfast. As Amazon, Shopify, and other online retailers bulldoze the competition in sheer volume of sales, traditional shops have found that they too are profiting more from sales made through the internet.

It looks like that Milky Way sitting in the vending machine at work is getting some sizzling competition. Ohio local news station 10TV reports that Ohio State University students can now spend their parents’ hard-earned money on a little brain fuel. A bacon-vending machine, created by the Ohio Pork Council, has been installed in the animal sciences building at Ohio State University. It will be maintained by the meat science department (side note: why didn’t I major in this?!).

If you thought that epic romaine lettuce recall was bad (which, by the way, is now over), you’re in for a rude awakening, because there’s another huge recall happening now: According to a recent report from the USDA, about 5 million pounds of raw beef that may have been contaminated by salmonella have been recalled. CNN reports that a company called JBS Tolleson Inc. has recalled the tainted products, which were packaged between July 26 and September 7.

The carrot's name is Kevin.

In the realm of drink flavors, Starbucks isn’t known for its subtlety. Think back to the green and purple Witch’s Brew Frappuccino the company unleashed for Halloween to get an idea of what I mean. Even the Peppermint Mocha, my favorite among the Starbucks’ holiday drink lineup, is a bit heavy-handed on the peppermint syrup. So when Starbucks announced that the juniper latte would be available nationwide this year, I had my reservations.

Thanksgiving is less than a week away, and folks all around the U.S. are planning their holiday menus. Of course, for most families this all revolves around the pièce de résistance: the turkey. While I’m sure no one wants to add more stress to this festive season, the CDC has announced that salmonella has been found in raw turkey, just in time for the holiday.

It's not to check to see if you're stealing anything.

No, you shouldn't drink actual wine out of this thing.

Tomorrow is Election Day. Across the country, your fellow Americans will be voting for governors, state attorneys general, Senate representatives, even school board members. Voting is one of the most important actions you can take as a citizen; it’s a simple way to serve your community, and to actively participate in our government.

Last week on the internet I saw something that made me gasp. The below photo from the deepest part of your tastebuds’ nightmares was originally brought to you by Twitter user and Brandfire co-founder Adam the Creator (aka Adam Padilla), and was then shared by super popular online outlet First We Feast.

Even time management experts can get overwhelmed by the sensory overload that is a visit to Costco. Virginia Maddan is the mastermind behind Comfortable Structure, where she coaches people on how to use time management tools to reclaim their time. As a busy working mom, she applies her strategies to Costco runs to make them quicker and way more effective.

Halloween is over, which means it is officially socially acceptable and not weird at all to start unpacking your Christmas lights and inflatable sleigh and reindeer. Okay, maybe that only applies to your Christmas-obsessed neighbors. If you’re not feeling exactly festive yet, Starbucks has some tricks up its sleeve this year that will surely help stoke the Christmas spirit inside us all.

Starbucks continues its reign as the master of the holiday-themed drink: The coffee chain began the tradition with the vampire-inspired Frappula Frappuccino for Halloween in 2015, and carried it on with the Zombie Frappuccino (topped with pink whipped cream that resembled brains) last year. Now, Starbucks is ushering in the Halloween spirit(s) with its latest creation: the Witch’s Brew Frappuccino.

Rumors have been circulating the last couple days about a new Oreo cookie, and this time it’s not a strange new flavor (I’m looking at you, pop rocks). On Monday, Instagram account @thejunkfoodaisle shared that Oreo was creating its biggest cookie ever: the Most Stuf. The Instagram post assured fans that this cookie is an “actual product photo” and that it’s coming soon. You guys, is there TOO MUCH Stuf in these Oreos?

For a country where winter temperatures hover around freezing, the menu of the Costco food court in Iceland is surprisingly full of cold treats. The small menu, posted on Reddit by user AMIGOvalueshopper, offers just a half-dozen options — three of which are frozen. Costco is new in Iceland, having just opened for the first time last year. The bulk-buy paradise has taken the country by storm — getting locals excited and adding 40% increase in cargo flights to the small country.

When I woke up this morning, an idea for a perfect on-the-go sandwich came to me in a flash. So, I took to Twitter and shared what I thought could be the Next Big Thing in breakfast: two freshly baked cookies (chocolate chip) hugging a nice, thick, breakfast-y layer of butter, completed with a slice or two of bacon. ( … What?) As you can tell, I have a something of a sweet tooth, and poor concern with food logistics (the butter would melt, Joe).

Costco has been the site of many terrible returns. The bulk warehouse’s famously generous return policy has led many people to take things too far and return old mattresses, dirty kitty litter, and even empty bottles of alcohol. But one Colorado woman is extremely upset over what might be the most unfortunate Costco return ever, after she lost upwards of $35,000 in cash after she put her money in the freezer for safekeeping, and then accidentally returned the freezer to the store.

There’s a place on the internet that is entirely wholesome and happy. In this magical secret spot, people post their fall decorations and cute babies dressed up as pumpkins. Everyone supports one another and is kind and thoughtful. It’s basically the opposite of Twitter. Welcome to Starbucks’ Leaf Rakers Society. This not-so-secret Facebook group is a gathering of people who love fall and Pumpkin Spice Lattes.

I grew up in a household that normalized semi-extreme coupon clipping. The level of bargain hunting that I was taught was not extreme enough to deserve a TLC special, but sustainable enough to form life-long habits. Over the years, my mom has expertly honed her ritual of scanning the inserts in the Sunday paper and gingerly snipping (only relevant!) coupons for any upcoming grocery hauls.

When word got out that Costco was unleashing a lineup of LaCroix knockoffs in lime, lemon, and grapefruit flavors, sparkling water fans rejoiced. Finally they could satisfy their unquenchable thirst at a rock-bottom Kirkland Signature price! Read more: Look Out, LaCroix — Costco’s New Flavored Seltzer Is Here Packaged in giant flats of 32 cans for just $7.

Here's what I think of it.

I am not ashamed to admit that I consider Shop Rite’s annual Can Can Sale to be a national holiday. The blowout promotion has been around for almost 50 years, and for nearly half of that I’ve either witnessed (or participated in) the sacred ritual of loading up as many cans as can fit into one cart. Consider my pantry STOCKED.

When my eighth-grade math teacher told me I’d use algebra every day in my adult life, she was right. I just never realized how much of my daily brainpower would be devoted to calculating and managing the cost of an early-onset seltzer habit. Do you go with store-brand, or LaCroix? Is there a better deal online, or in stores? And what do you do if you get a taste for Spindrift, the Champagne of flavored seltzers, and ordinary bubbly water won’t cut it anymore?

The Pumpkin Spice Latte arrived at Starbucks stores around the country more than a week ago, but the benevolent mermaid seems to understand that summer isn’t quite over yet because it’s offering each customer one half-price Frappuccino all afternoon TODAY. The deal, part of the chain’s “Happy Hour” promotion, is exclusively for members of Starbucks Rewards, so you’ll need to sign up if you haven’t already.

On your next trip to Trader Joe’s you just might spot a mugshot on a bottle of Merlot. But don’t worry or run away — this doesn’t mean there was a prison break in your area. Instead this uptick in criminal activity on aisle wine is thanks to 19 Crimes, an Australian brand that touts bottles of vino labeled with vintage mugshots of criminals-turned-colonists.

A newly opened Starbucks cafe staffed entirely by senior citizens has opened in Mexico City, perhaps another sign that the company is making good on promises to create a more inclusive workforce. According to WXPI, Starbucks partnered with the National Institute for the Elderly to “spearhead a program of labor inclusion,” giving its older adults an income boost at the same time.

Happy September! And almost fall! Before we all get super excited about $6 PSLs, let’s take a minute to talk about ways we can actually save money this month. Here are 10 fun and easy ways to stretch your budget without feeling like you’re on a budget. How many will you try? Did you know that you can score awesome deals on snacks at places like Big Lots, T.J.Maxx, and HomeGoods? Put on your bargain-hunting pants and take a break from your normal grocery shopping routine.

Costco’s return policy is famously generous. If you’re not happy with something, they’ll take it back. That’s one of the perks of membership, but a lot of people take that lenient return policy way too far. People have been spotted returning dead Christmas trees in January, seven-year-old dog beds, half-eaten food, and even a used litter box, still full of kitty litter.

It used to be when you wanted a very particular hand-breaded, all-breast meat chicken nugget flecked with hints of dill and pepper, you had to put on pants. Unless it was a Sunday, in which case you had to wait an entire day, and then put on pants. Or if you lived outside the South, where Chick-fil-A locations are fewer and further between, you might even need to plan a trip to one or stand in line (sometimes hours long when new locations open).

Did you know that 90-ish percent of the brands sold at Aldi are exclusive to the stores? It’s true! Aldi has a cool handful of its own private-label brands like Specially Selected, SimplyNature, liveGfree (a gluten-free line), and more. And many of these brands include snacks. In fact, the snacks are so impressive that Kitchn recently ran a story talking about how Aldi snacks actually rival the ones at Trader Joe’s.

These days plastic is Public Enemy #1 and, honestly, we’re wondering what took so long. In the past year more and more Americans (and major companies) have become attuned to the harmful environmental repercussions of single-use plastic straws, plastic lids, micro-plastics, and now plastic bags. Plastic bags, we’re coming for you. Kroger, the largest grocery chain in the U.S., is about to make it a lot easier for shoppers to commit to being green.

As eternally pessimistic German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer once said, “It ain’t easy being cheesy.” No, wait, that was animated Cheetos mascot Chester Cheetah — but either way, he’s right. The parent company for Cheetos has taken legal action against a plant-based copycat, alleging that the new brand disparages Cheetos in several ways, including its name, logo, and slogan.

I have a confession to make: My entire family is obsessed with a snack food that I initially purchased for my toddler. Like many new moms, I stressed over the importance of introducing peanut butter into my child’s diet. Too soon? Too late? A spoonful? A smudge?

You don't have to turn your back on white bread entirely.

Grab a buddy and RUN — do not walk — to your nearest Starbucks for the exact kind of afternoon pick-me-up that this absurd heatwave demands. For one day only, the ubiquitous coffee chain is having a BOGO (buy-one-get-one) sale on all iced drinks including iced tea, iced coffee, iced espresso, cold brew, and Refreshers. BUT be forewarned, this deal does not include the single most notorious variety of iced drink that Starbucks has to offer: Frappuccinos.

Last year, it seemed as though Starbucks focused all of its attention on promoting outlandish, mystical Frappuccino flavors to the masses. First there was the unicorn Frap, then there was the zombie Frap, and then people got in on the madness creating “secret menu” mermaid Fraps. But this year, the coffee chain is channeling its time and energy into a new kind of drink: plant-based, protein blended cold brew. Plant-based! Protein! Cold brew!

Ring the alarm! There is a lemon shortage in the United States — just in time for peak lemonade season (of course). While this timing is devastating on so many levels, I am primarily upset because I just learned this ingenious stand mixer lemon-juicing hack. Looks like I’ll have to stock up on Country Time mix instead.

I don’t know how fall manages to sneak up on me every single year, but it’s done it again. I’m still trying to figure out swimming lessons and what’s the best kind of sunscreen to buy, and the shops are already full of Halloween decorations and now Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice products will be in grocery stores next week (!!!). This year the coffee chain is introducing Pumpkin Spice Cookie Straws. You guys, cookie straws!

Amazon is working hard to figure out how to make shopping at Whole Foods as convenient as ordering something on Amazon. Just last week Amazon and Whole Foods added a feature that lets customers use Alexa to order groceries from Whole Foods to be delivered to your house within two hours. And today it was announced that Amazon and Whole Foods are offering grocery pickup in just 30 minutes in a couple locations, and it’ll be coming to more stores soon.

Almond milk has one job: Don’t be cow milk. Plant-based milk substitutes are a huge business, with grocery stores carrying versions made from almonds, cashews, rice, coconut, peas, and more, and the one thing they all have in common is that they don’t come from cows. It’s the main defining characteristic of non-dairy milk.

Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt personally victimized by ginger ale. *Crickets.* Raise your hand if you’ve ever made a quick grocery run for some Canada Dry to help settle an upset stomach. *Raises both hands.* Well, what if we told you that one woman from New York is feeling very UNSETTLED by the fact that the century-plus-year-old ginger ale brand’s ingredient list allegedly does not contain real ginger?

Have you ever fallen down a serious YouTube rabbit hole? Maybe one that made absolutely no sense? I’ve never set foot in a Costco, but I’ve watched hours of Costco haul videos. Anyone who has stumbled into this genre knows that there’s something bizarrely soothing about listening to gentle narration on the contents of a shopping cart. For actual Costco shoppers, these videos are chock-full of useful tips and tricks to optimize your next shopping expedition.

National Avocado Day is like millennial Christmas. This year it lands on Tuesday, July 31, and Chipotle restaurants around the U.S. will be celebrating by giving away free sides of guacamole with any entree. That’s right — for one magical day at Chipotle, guac will not be extra.

After a recent trip to my local supermarket, I feel like I owe the frozen vegetable section an apology. Aside from the odd bag of frozen peas I grab now and again — one cup of which is usually intended for an Alfredo-y peas-and-ham pasta dish and the rest are left to develop tiny horrid frost beards until pressed into service as a first-aid device — I have ignored you. Little did I know, I’ve been missing trendy time-savers like riced cauliflower ($3.

Everyone knows what it’s like to leave Costco with a cart full of random stuff. You go in needing just a couple of extra things for dinner, and somehow you end up with a cart full of wine and hot dogs (is that just me?). That’s why when Kristin and Jen from I Mom So Hard posted their Costco shopping list to Instagram, the entire internet started cry-laughing about how accurate it is. The list includes a chicken, of course (everyone buys the $4.99 rotisserie chicken).

Frozen meals have come a long way since the microwave dinners of the ’50s. And most of it has to do with two little words: Trader Joe’s. While they’re not the only players in the game of frozen meals, they certainly seem to have captured our readers’ hearts (and tummies). We asked you guys to tell us about your favorite frozen meals. Your answers included a lot of Trader Joe’s — and a few other name brands, too. “Traders Joe’s all the way!

What would you add jalapeños to, if you could add jalapeños to anything in the Costco food court? That’s not a hypothetical question at this Costco in Mexico, where the toppings bar in the food court has dispensers full of free jalapeños, and you can have as many as you can handle.