These Are the Most Overlooked Items at the Grocery Store

One of the things I love to do when I grocery shop is browse. I know, I know. It can be pretty annoying to fellow shopping companions. I’ve been told a number of times — by plenty of people — that when you go grocery shopping you’re supposed to walk through those double doors with a mission, and be out within 20 minutes, carrying your loaf of bread or jar of marinara.

I’ll admit that’s not always me. Sometimes, I walk down the aisles, searching for absolutely nothing in particular. It was during one of these carefree trips at my local Safeway that I realized the grocery store is actually a smart stop for kitchen storage organizers. 

I consider it to be part treasure hunt, part bargain shopping. While it’s easy to spot stacks of Ziploc containers in their usual grocery aisle, these storage organizers are scattered throughout the store and in some of the least expected places. (I’m still wondering why an avocado pod is hanging next to the rice!) Once you know, though, it’s not that tricky. Plus, it turns out if you’re patient (or lucky!), you can actually snag great buys when storage pieces are on sale. Just look at my six storage picks from a recent outing.

When I spotted this super-cute, totable snack organizer, I instantly felt excited! It’s a trio of stackable and interlocking on-the-go containers, perfect if you’re a busy parent entertaining a hungry toddler or out on a hike. Fill it with pretzels, chopped veggies, or a delicious stash of homemade trail mix. The best part? This set of storage containers retails for $5.99, but the grocery store priced it at $3.99 and offered a Buy One, Get One (BOGO) 50-percent-off deal! 

Feeling eco-conscious? Then stock up on this reusable set of snack and sandwich bags. While this panda set is totally adorable, you’ll also find it in plain colors, if that’s more your style. Normally a set of four bags cost $7.99. At the grocery store, I found the same set priced at $4.99 with another BOGO 50-percent-off deal. That’s roughly the same price as a box of 300 plastic bags, but you can use these baggies over and over.

I love avocados — on toast, in a sandwich, or in salads. But sometimes adding an avocado only requires half of the fruit, and before you know it, you’re left with a brown, mushy mess. The trick? Buy a clever, airtight avocado pod. I spotted this one from Viovia for $4.99 hanging next to the rice! That’s a small price to pay — especially if it means avoiding wasted precious halves.

This useful sink caddy, at $5.99, was a big surprise, hanging smack-dab in the middle of the laundry detergent. As we all know, a kitchen sponge can harbor a lot of gross bacteria. One way to keep your daily scrubber as clean as it can be is to let it air-dry on a dedicated sink caddy. That way it won’t sit in a puddle, soaking up plenty of who-knows-what. I especially like how this no-fuss organizer is easily adjustable, has a perforated base, and hangs right from the faucet. 

I’m a fan of OXO, so I was happy when I saw that the popular brand was sold right in my grocery store. There’s no end to the use of a simple clip: Beyond sealing your chip bag, of course, pop one on top of your sack of flour or your coffee beans. You can even use one to lock in the flavor on a half-used bag of spices or prop up a recipe card while you prep. This seven-piece set — which I found in the chip aisle — generally sells for $12.99, but it was $10.99 at my grocery store, making it a definite bargain buy.

It’s easy to find a number of food-storage options for leftover food. But for tiny morsels of sauce or toppings, it can be a struggle to find a container that’s just the right size. These six, BPA-free minis instantly caught my eye. First off, they’re $2.99 (aka 50 cents per container). Leak-proof and unbreakable, they’re also just the right size for leftover portions of condiments and toppings, like sliced olives, slivers of green onions, or piles of colorful cupcake sprinkles.

What storage organizers do you pick up at the grocery store? Tell us in the comments below.