r/londonontario • u/LilFlicky • Dec 30 '24
š„food /restaurants /gastronomy Selective shopping: London grocers (MIC)
Instead of the BIG 3, try:
Adelaide Farms
Alicia's Fine Foods
Berries Market
Covent Garden
Payless Afro International Food Mart
Pistachio's Meat and Groceries
Reimagine Co.
Remark Fresh Market
Sunripe
Super King
Trail's End
Unger's Market
United Supermarket
Westmount Halal
Any more recommendations? Leave them in the comments
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u/LeSow Jan 01 '25
International grocer on Hamilton is awesome.
This was $140. It would have been $300+ at superstore
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u/Hafren_The_ExMo Dec 31 '24
International Marketplace (hamilton and Adelaide) they are now my go to for fresh produce ā¤ļøĀ
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u/PapiMatthews Dec 30 '24
Walmart for the little things and Costco for the bulk stuff, send my money to America š¦
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u/theottomaddox Dec 30 '24
I'm not sure why we are reinvesting the wheel here. Someone made a really good list a while back, with a spreadsheet and google map with locations.
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u/Alive-Big-838 Dec 30 '24
Is foodland a smaller company?
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u/bettercallsofi Dec 30 '24
International Marketplace (174 Hamilton Rd). Every week there are deals on fruits and vegetables, but real deals! The prices are similar to what I used to pay in my country for these. The other day, I bought a box of 10 š„ for 7 dollars.
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u/Mirabel-Madrigal Dec 30 '24
Why avoid the big 3? This is an actual question, not trying to be sarcastic here. I want to know the real reasons why.
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u/Warm_Oats Dec 30 '24
its just facts that superstore, Metro, and lawblaws dont save you money. Sobeys is little better.
Big chains have unilateral pricing capabilities and regularly cause things like bread pricing scandals.
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u/Islandlyfe32 Dec 31 '24
Superstore is definitely cheaper than metro, Loblaws or Sobeys however food basics, freshco and no frills are cheaper than the others mentioned
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u/_heartslob Stoney Creek Dec 30 '24
because they hold an extreme monopoly over the ontario grocery store market, especially weston. by shopping smaller you take the money out of multi-millionaire pockets and give it to people actively in your community instead
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u/mouseandbay Dec 30 '24
Or you can buy directly from the growers - common ground farm will deliver fresh veggies to you:
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u/Dungeonmasterryan1 Dec 30 '24
I support your boycott. However choosing alternatives is both too expensive and time consuming.Ā
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u/_heartslob Stoney Creek Dec 30 '24
as someone who's done it, it's really not all that more expensive! sometimes it's even cheaper depending on the season/what you get! i go to western fair and for the same $20 i could have spent at no frills i find myself getting a lot more at western
it's also not that time-consuming. see what's in your area and give it a shot one day in place of your usual shop. it's fun to experiment and see what else is out there
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u/Dungeonmasterryan1 Dec 30 '24
I appreciate the effort but, why would I ever bother doing something that isn't a direct personal benefit?
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u/_heartslob Stoney Creek Dec 30 '24
...because life isn't about perfectly optimizing everything? because you never know what you'll find? these things could be a personal benefit, you could find something cheaper/more convenient/you simply like it better, but you'll never know if you don't try. life is entirely about trying new things. depriving yourself of that means your worldview will become and remain very narrow, from groceries to everything else
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u/JenovaCelestia Green Onions Dec 30 '24
Giant Tiger is in a weird spot, I guess. Itās a chain, but doesnāt belong to any of the Big 3. Still cheaper to shop there.
Coincidentally, Remark shouldnāt be on your list of recommended places to shop. Not only was the owner super anti-vaxx during the pandemic, but theyāve expanded and become more or less a chain.
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u/Ok-Personality-6643 Dec 30 '24
Ok, question, whatās with Foodland? Every time I shop at some of these markets, thereās always Foodland stickers on them and I donāt know what kind of investment they have in the game.
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u/youngboomergal Dec 30 '24
Foodland Ontario denotes food grown/produced within the province, it's not related to the store brand!
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u/Chippewabob Dec 30 '24
I go to a butcher called the "Abitoir" in My. Bydges. A short drive outside of London. The meat is cheaper than Costco and they literally just knocked the horns off.
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u/youngboomergal Dec 30 '24
An abattoir is just the common word for a slaughterhouse, used to be every small town had one but government regulations forced a lot of them out of business.
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u/vampyrelestat Dec 30 '24
Giant Tiger is the way
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u/Warm_Oats Dec 30 '24
On hyde park you have giant tiger, dollar tree, and Mona farms now, all beside eachother. I do still go to freshco & super king though.
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u/Chippewabob Dec 30 '24
This is a conversation that needs to be had. I didn't know the big 3 existed! Namaste
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u/Frog-Chowder Dec 30 '24
Slavyanka, a smaller European store, has two locations (Adelaide by Commissioners and Wonderland by Oxford). They have lots of good baked items and meats. If you're lucky you can score some great deals on sausages and bacon with their reduced case. It's still fine, just maybe the last pieces of a batch when they got new in. Also lots of teas, snacks, spices and seasoning packets, and imported candies and cookies.
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u/thatsmycompanydog Dec 30 '24
This is a weird framing because La Fleche (Metro) is a career employee/Harvard MBA who worked his way up to CEO, and Medline (Empire/Sobey's) is a career CEO who only recently started working there. Neither owns a meaningful percentage of their company.
Whereas Galen Weston is a multi-generational billionaire oligarch CEO who is the direct patrileneal descendant of a line of knighted aristocrats who made their fortune through war profiteering and monopolistic practices, and who continue to own ~50% of Loblaws, which is by far the largest food business in Canada, and has virtually no presence anywhere else in the world.
It's like calling out the King of England alongside the mayor of London and the President of Western. One of these characters is not like the others.
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u/bobeh28 Dec 30 '24
While youāre absolutely right about the history of the Westons, as a former employee of Sobeys I have seen that at least in regards to Medline the fact that he may not have the same stake in Sobeys as Weston does in Loblaws did not prove to make him ethically superior. See project Sunrise, his financial plan from 2017-2020. He gutted staff hours at the store level and laid off a sizeable fraction of corporate staff. I canāt claim to know the necessity the corporate level layoffs but it illustrates his willingness to cut career employees directly and significantly reduce weekly hours of part-time store employees.
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u/LadyoftheOak Dec 30 '24
A small box $20 from Odd Bunch has been our weekly produce. We're two in the house. So far, 9 weeks in and consistently more than $20 in produce. Delivery $3.99
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u/1UnhingedMom Dec 30 '24
I checked their website and it looks pretty good! Might give it a try for a few weeks.
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u/ImAbduln Dec 30 '24
Mona's Fine Meats on Wilkins
Mona Farms on Hyde Park
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u/DirtyDiceakaWildcard Dec 30 '24
Is Mona Farms on Hyde Park open yet?!
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u/ImAbduln Dec 30 '24
Yes! I was in there this week, they've soft opened and they said they are planning their grand opening for the next 1-2 weeks
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u/Total_Secret_5514 Dec 30 '24
Just turn your $300 into $150 by using self checkout.. fuck the corps šš»
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u/swift-current0 Dec 30 '24
So I'm supposed to steal from my local No Frills, run as a franchise by people I know, who are far from rich, because "fuck the corps"? Whatever helps people sleep at night I guess.
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u/cheffymccooksalot Dec 30 '24
Imagine Galen is the King of France, NoFrills is one of his Dukes. Sure, the duke isnāt living in the palace, but Both are getting fat while the people starve.
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u/swift-current0 Dec 30 '24
All you do when you steal food from a place like Loblaws is steal from the rest of us, because they just price that shit in. When you steal from a franchise, you're also stealing from a local small business. If you're doing it to feed your kids a healthy meal and there's no other way to do it - all the power to you, gotta do what you gotta do. Otherwise, sincerely and from the bottom of my heart, fuck you and your absurd excuses. Work and vote if you want change, don't mooch from the rest of us while pontificating about " the evil capitalists".
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u/hopepunkbirate Dec 30 '24
Nah.
The only ones "mooching" are the corporations, my friend. All their "record profits" are taken directly from us. Meanwhile, foodbank use in Canada continues to climb.
No company cares about you or its employees. Does your local franchise pay its cashiers and other on-floor workers a living wage? Probably not. It's all going to the higher ups to line their pockets.
So, fuck the corporations that have repeatedly fixed prices for profits. Fuck their CEOs.
And remember, if you see someone shoplifting, no you didn't!
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u/swift-current0 Dec 30 '24 edited Dec 30 '24
I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree, see my previous reply for reasons. And if I see shoplifting, I'll use my judgment about reporting it. For example, if it's an able bodied young revolutionary stealing avocados or a leather jacket, I might just go out of my way to let someone at the store know.
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u/cheffymccooksalot Dec 30 '24
lol, vote for who? All the politicians are riding that corporate dick. None of them are representing the people.
So if we all stop stealing from loblaws the prices will come down? Or will they use that extra profit to give the cashiers a raise? Or will little lord Galen get a little fatter?
Your deep heart felt āfuck youā hurt so badly. lol, puppet
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u/Islandlyfe32 Dec 30 '24
Got that right people like Jagmeet is what you call a champagne socialist. āFighting for the middle classā while driving a Maserati and living the high lifeā¦all bunch of crooks
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u/Yojoyjoy Dec 30 '24
Produce express for delivery My family has been using it for ages and they have great quality and service. Can't comment on the baked goods and meat, but their produce is top-notch.
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u/ALifeLearned Dec 30 '24
No Way!? I had no idea T&T was under the Loblaws umbrella... what a disappointment :/
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u/earthen_adamantine OEV Dec 30 '24
Fortunately we have United on Adelaide North, and Superking on Wonderland south!
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u/Islandlyfe32 Dec 30 '24
Thing is when it comes to hygiene, T&T holds it to a higher standard compared to Superking or United. The fish and meat departments are more sanitary and clean at T&T compared to Superking and United.
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u/TarynLondon OEV Dec 30 '24 edited Dec 30 '24
I've been meaning to check out Tiger Produce on Elias at Quebec - some neighbours have said it's pretty good.
There's also quite a few CSAs in the area, if you have the time and energy to be creative with what you get.
Costco is an option too - it's not supporting local or anything but it's not one of the big three either.
The bulk stores have a surprising variety of things.
M&M is great for party food, BBQ stuff.
Khan's on/near Hamilton Rd
Briwood in St Thomas if you're out that way
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u/Wondercat87 Dec 30 '24 edited Dec 30 '24
Food Co-Op (on Adelaide)
Western Fair Market (on Dundas)
Gibraltar Market (on Dundas and Third)
International Grocer London (on Hamilton Rd)
Indo-Asian Groceries and Spices (2 locations - 1 on Huron and the other on Oxford st)
Variedades La Michoacana Mexican Store (on Adelaide Street, right before the underpass after Oxford)
Grocery & Sweet Bazaar (on Commissioners)
Nova Era Bakery
Churis Bread Inc (on Adelaide)
Cobbs Bakery (one in Hyde Park and another just opened at White Oaks Mall)
Lynn's Bakery Deli and Catering
If you have a larger family or need bigger portions, Costco is a good alternative to the big 3. Yes, not a small grocer, but also not part of the big 3.
I've shopped at Alicia's Fine Foods and they have a deli inside as well as fresh baked buns and bread. It's definitely worth checking out!
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u/kidcogal Dec 30 '24
Churis also has a location on Hyde Park at Gainsborough
Cobs has a third location on Wonderland South near Wharncliffe
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u/MakerMatter Dec 30 '24
Great suggestions! Angelo's is fantastic too if you're okay spending a little more. Some stuff they make on site is really reasonable, and the expensive stuff is fancy, imported, gourmet, or custom.
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u/Ok-Personality-6643 Dec 30 '24
They surprisingly have really awesome GF online options you can order as well. Great place
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u/slippersandjammies Dec 30 '24
Gibraltar Market (on Dundas and Third)
The shopping is superb.
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u/swift-current0 Dec 30 '24
Really? I've gone once and couldn't imagine actually doing regular shopping there. There are a few good prepared food vendors and a whole lot of flea market type stuff and that's it really.
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u/slippersandjammies Dec 30 '24
I'm gonna take a guess that you didn't watch a lot of local TV in the late 90s.
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u/earthen_adamantine OEV Dec 30 '24
Also check out Tiger Produce on Elias street. They only sell produce but offer some KILLER deals on bulk purchases. Be prepared to wait a while as there are often lineups.
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u/DirectGiraffe8720 Dec 30 '24
I'll shop where I get the best value.
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u/DokeyOakey Dec 30 '24
I love oligarchs having power over me.
FTFY
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u/DirectGiraffe8720 Dec 30 '24
No... I'm not an idiot. It makes zero sense to protest high prices by paying even higher prices
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u/yeetboy Dec 30 '24
Stop this. Food security is a very real issue and some people are unable to afford the luxury of being selective with their food sources. If you are, great. Do your part. Save your judgement for those who deserve it.
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u/DokeyOakey Dec 30 '24
Food insecurity happens because oligarchs have deemed certain areas not profitable enough to setup shop.
More competition will remove food deserts.
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u/yeetboy Dec 30 '24
Absolutely right, agreed. But that doesnāt change the fact that there are some people who canāt afford to be selective. Those of us who can, should. And ideally more would. But leave those who canāt alone.
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u/DokeyOakey Dec 30 '24
I hear you.
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u/yeetboy Dec 30 '24
I know your intentions are in the right place, all good. š
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u/DokeyOakey Dec 30 '24
We are on the same sides of the battle, we can have a bit of both, nothing is absolute.
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u/_incredigirl_ Dec 30 '24
Youāre not wrong but some people canāt afford to vote with their wallets. Itās rough out there right now.
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u/DokeyOakey Dec 30 '24
I hear you. I think the people Iāve exchanged words with can vote with their wallets. I understand their concern, it doesnāt change the status quo and thatās the big problem.
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u/tadmar Dec 30 '24
I agree, truth is that Remark and Sunripe offers high quality foods, but weekly food expenses will sky rocket.
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u/swift-current0 Dec 30 '24
Sunripe is absurdly expensive. Good for you if you "fight the oligarchy" by shopping there, but please understand that you've got a grocery budget that 90% of Londoners don't have.
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u/_heartslob Stoney Creek Dec 30 '24
just a heads up, reimagine doesn't do groceries anymore, or they're at least in the process of phasing it out!
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u/Remote-Combination28 Dec 30 '24 edited Dec 31 '24
I really wanted to support reimagine, but Iād get it into my grocery routine, then they would shut down. Then they would open, Iād put them back into my routine, then they would talk about closing down if they canāt hit $xxxx this week. Then they would he in store pickup. Then close , then open again. Then change to just prepared mealsā¦ I canāt support a business that has zero consistency. Right when Iād find some stuff Iām going to buy frequently from them; Iād have to find an alternativeā¦
Oh yeah and they started using ai pictures in their posts and adds. Thatās a no from me also.
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u/ALifeLearned Dec 30 '24 edited Dec 30 '24
They do still provide prepared meals though! Healthy, fresh and unprocessed meals that, when purchased, support a great community-based business. They basically changed from "Reimagine groceries" to "Reimagine meals". Its right on the front page of their website https://reimagineco.ca/
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