So everybody eats, right, and you’d think buying groceries would be simple but in Ottawa it somehow turns into this weird game where you either overpay, stand in line forever, or both, and nobody really explains it to you until you’ve already blown your budget on a week’s worth of food that should’ve cost half the price.
The big chains here will eat you alive if you’re not careful. Loblaws, Metro, Sobeys ect. they’re clean, the shelves are stocked, but grab a basket and by the time you hit the checkout you’re looking at fifty bucks for like bread, milk, and a box of cereal. It’s nuts. You think you’re doing normal shopping but your wallet disagrees. And don’t get me started on “club member savings” that just make you feel like they marked it up before marking it down.
Now if you actually want to save money you end up at Food Basics, No Frills, or Walmart, and while the prices are way better you pay with your patience. Long lines, carts jamming the aisles, sometimes half the stuff on your list just isn’t in stock. But at least you’re not walking out wondering if you just financed your groceries.
Then there’s the timing. Nobody tells you this but Sundays, especially afternoons, are a nightmare. Everyone and their neighbor is in line, half the shelves are picked clean, and you spend more time dodging carts than actually shopping. If you can, go late evening on a weekday you might run into empty shelves but at least you won’t be stuck behind ten people with carts stacked to the ceiling.
And yeah, farmer’s markets are nice when they’re open, you’ll get good produce and maybe talk to the person who actually grew it, but let’s be honest, prices aren’t always cheap and in winter they’re basically non-existent. So if you’re picturing year-round baskets of fresh stuff like in some glossy magazine, forget it this is Ottawa, not California.
So what’s the move? Honestly, it’s a mix. Do your main shop at the cheaper spots, pick up whatever you missed at one of the big stores, and if you’re into it hit the market on weekends. Always go with a plan or you’ll end up broke. And don’t shop hungry unless you want to end up with random junk you’ll regret later.
So here’s some insider info, im from Centertown where you’ve actually got some options within walking distance there’s the Independent, Loblaws, Farm Boy, even Whole Foods if you want to pay premium prices but locals will tell you the real trick is heading west toward Chinatown. Kowloon Market and Lim Bangkok are both cheaper for produce and meat, and if you mix those in with your regular grocery runs you’ll save a chunk without giving up selection.
Bottom line: groceries in Ottawa are a grind. If you go in blind you’ll either drain your paycheck or your sanity. Figure out where to shop, when to shop, and how much chaos you’re willing to tolerate then you’ll come out on top with food in the fridge and maybe still some cash leftover.
Prelude: you want to know what I end up using in a crunch? Its this website. They pretty much do the shopping and delivery for ya, of course it costs money, but its not as bad as you think. If your not following Dave Ramseys Baby steps, this is a good move
Leave a Reply