Money Talks News

Saving with Salvaged Groceries

With food prices across the nation rising at the fastest rate in over 17 years, many of us are looking for a break. Here’s some food for thought… Salvage, or discount grocery stores. Haven’t heard of them?

For the most part, they sell the supplies returned by a supermarket because the outside packaging got damaged.  Find a Salvage Grocery Store

“They don’t have a license to do that and we do. We get it, we clean it and make sure the seam isn’t dented at anytime.”
-Lucy Collazo, owner L & G Discount Grocery Store

Think of it like a scratch and dent sale.

“My cupboard stays all dented and smashed from one side to the other, but I save a lot of money and the food tastes the same.”
-Tauna DaSilva, Shopper

While these stores may look more like a warehouse than your typical supermarket, the savings can be big: 30 to 50%.

“My husband and I moved into our place and for $75 we stocked our whole entire kitchen.”
-Rachel Shoudt, Cashier

So what’s the catch? Well, you might want to beware of the best-sold-by dates. Many products are kept on the shelves several months or more passed the recommended sell by date.

“The only thing you have to throw away when it’s best sold by is mayonnaise or anything base mayonnaise. A lot of people think, it’s expired, but it doesn’t say expired, it says best if sold by.”
-Lucy Collazo, owner L & G Discount Grocery Store

Some other things to consider: most of the time you can’t buy produce or meat at salvage stores, and they’re sometimes hard to find. But if you’re lucky enough to live near one, you can take a bite out of your grocery bill.

Looking for one of these stores? Check out our State by State List of Salvaged Grocery Stores.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Like this article? Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter for our newest stories, money saving tips, deals and coupons. Click here to sign up now.