Where To Stock Up On Groceries Downtown When You’re Broke AF
If there is anything that a true Torontonian looks for is a DEAL. We love saving money, only so we can use this money to spend on more things. It’s a vicious cycle for all millennials living downtown. Unfortunately, finding the latest deals or coupon clipping is way too time consuming. Especially when Uber Eats is just too easy…
With the piles of student debt, monthly bills, and new Fall clothes just sitting in your online shopping cart, how is anyone expected to have money left over to eat? Lucky for you, we did all the research so you don't have to. So if you’re in a time crunch, want an excuse to visit a different neighbourhood, or genuinely just can’t afford the lifestyle of eating every day at Whole Foods, we got you covered. It might be a bit more time consuming to snag the best deals, but your bank account will thank you later.
1. Comfort.to
No Costco Card, no problem. I used to love going to Costco, browsing each aisle looking for the best samples and eating their signature $1.99 hotdog and drink deal. But if you live downtown (and don’t have a Costco card), this is all just a fantasy. Not anymore! Comfort.to allows you to fill up your shopping cart with anything you want from Costco and ship it directly downtown, as long as you live in their delivery district. The catch, the minimum order must be at least $75. But let’s face it, when you’re buying in bulk at Costco, that’s not hard to do. I’m looking at you, everyone living with roommates. The best part – you select what day and time (from 5pm – midnight) you would like it delivered!
2. No Frills
This is the ultimate grocery destination when you’re looking for a good variety of products for a lower than average cost. The No Frills slogan, “won’t be beat” doesn’t lie. If you find a price cheaper anywhere else, they’ll match the price! Not to mention, the company is part of the President’s Choice family, so you can definitely utilize your PC Points card at these locations! If you don’t have loyalty cards yet, what are you doing?
3. Food Basics
It's not called Food Basics for nothing. The company is part of the Metro family, but you can expect to see even lower prices. They have some great policies to ensure that you are satisfied with your purchase. For example, they guarantee all advertised items in their current flyer are in stock. If there is an item you find that isn’t, let them know and they’ll give you a Rain Check PLUS 10% the advertised price. Time to scan those flyers!
4. Walmart
If you live downtown, it’s unlikely that there is a Walmart in your backyard, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of their great savings. Walmart has an awesome online delivery service, which allows you to select nearly everything they carry in-store! If you spend over $50, they’ll ship it directly to your home for free. This is the easiest place to stock up on eggs AND find a new vacuum, talk about an all-in-one shopping experience. Not to mention the price match guarantee works here as well!
5. Chinatown
Chinatown is my staple go-to place to find the best deals on fruits and vegetables. You can usually find prices much lower than your traditional grocery store, and it’s always busy so you know it’s reliable. There are numerous vendors, so if you don’t like what one has to offer, just move on to the next. I am constantly stocking up on a week’s worth of produce for under $15, beat that Loblaws.
6. Kensington Market
While you’re in the neighbourhood, don’t forget to hit up Kensignton Market. I often forget that you actually find some really fresh and fairly priced produce here. Not to mention, there are so many other cool food vendors, restaurants and little shops to explore while you’re here. It’s the ultimate weekend adventure to (attempt to) make grocery shopping fun.
7. St. Lawrence Market
If you’re up for the crowds, this could be your new favourite place to shop. On a daily basis, St. Lawrence Market definitely isn’t the cheapest place. The market itself is closed on Sunday and Monday’s, so if you manage to visit the area before closing on Saturday (5pm), you can usually find vendors offering products at a discount price. Hooray! All artisan lovers unite!
