The Whole View with Stacy Toth

Episode 291: Sourcing Groceries: Buying Locally or Online?

Mar 16, 2018

42:20

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Ep. 291: Sourcing Groceries: Buying Locally or Online?

In this episode, Stacy and Sarah are buying their groceries. But where do they go? What do they buy? Find out here!

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The Paleo View (TPV), Episode 291: Sourcing Groceries: Buying Locally or Online?

Intro (0:00)
News and Views (0:40)
- Sarah gets to chaperone a sleep over field trip this week!
  - Stacy thinks it doesn't sound like something she'd like, haha!
  - Sarah's daughter has been looking forward to it and counting down the days.
  - Sarah has chaperoned before and enjoyed it, though she knows she'll be exhausted.
- Stacy and family are prepping for their cruise in a couple weeks.
  - It was the boys' Christmas gift.
- Stacy often gets asked about which food items she buys online and which she buys locally.
  - It's an individualized thing depending on where you live and what you buy.
Produce and Pantry: Buy Locally or Online? (6:15)
- There are a lot of international markets local to Stacy.
  - This is great for those more focused on budget than quality (organic).
  - They buy sweet potato noodles for Japchae here!
  - Produce is 1/3 of the price they normally see.
    - They don't buy "The Dirty Dozen" items here because they aren't organic.
- Trader Joe's and Costco are Stacy's other recommended places to shop.
  - They are more limited in what they have and when they have it.
  - Costco doesn't always have the same products because they rotate them out.
    - Chosen Foods Avocado Oil is a great bargain here.
  - Trader Joe's sources some things locally, and usually has an organic option.
  - Stacy feels fortunate to have these stores available to her.
- Sarah loves her local farmer's market!
  - It is very inexpensive, fresh, organically grown, and local.
    - Sarah starts her shopping here and then rounds things out at other stores.
    - Sarah loves the relationships she has formed with her local farmers.
      - They do special things for her (and all their customers!) which she appreciates.
- Sarah also shops at Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Kroger.
  - She starts at the more inexpensive places and works up.
  - Sometimes it depends on what she needs or which store is closer to her at the time.
  - In the winter when her farmer's market is closed, she shops more heavily at grocery stores.
  - Sarah visits Costco once every 6 weeks and stocks up because it is a farther drive.
- Costco is great for nuts, dried fruit, frozen foods, and pantry items.
  - They are on a mission to make their store 50% or more natural or organic.
  - The protein options have improved a lot.
  - Sarah loves the toilet paper at Costco- it's "perfect."
- Stacy doesn't use any fresh food delivery system.
  - Stacy is a control freak and wants to pick out her own food!
  - If its a time or money-saver for you and you love it, that's great.
- Sarah's kids are eating a lot as they grow, so they try to use foods that stretch a meal.
  - Cabbage and sweet potato are great for this!
  - Sarah tends towards more inexpensive meats like ground beef and pork shoulder.
  - Sarah's family doesn't eat all organic or pasture-raised meats all the time.
- Sarah likes Thrive Market, Amazon Subscribe and Save, and One Stop Paleo Shop.
  - Stacy also uses Amazon and One Stop Paleo Shop, especially when they offer a coupon!
Protein: Buy Locally or Online? (6:15)
- Stacy feels very strongly about buying meat locally.
  - They live in a "farm state" with lots of options locally.
  - It doesn't make sense for her to order meat online because of the cost on the earth to ship it.
  - They save money on protein by buying 1/4 or 1/2 animals at a time.
    - It isn't as convenient or quick, and takes more forethought.
    - Stacy and Matt talk a lot about this in Beyond Bacon.
  - She also subscribes to local farmer's newsletters to learn about sales and discounts.
  - Stacy values eating "the whole animal," even if it means learning to use uncommon cuts.
    - These are usually the more inexpensive cuts as well.
  - Stacy has a local butcher shop (Organic Butcher of McClean) she loves.
    - She can get things like broth bones and eggs year round.
    - They know who she is when she walks in the door and what things she likes to buy.
    - They have great recommendations for the best, freshest things they have that day.
    - Shopping small and local lets you have great relationships with your farmer.
  - Stacy doesn't prefer to have things that need to be refrigerated or frozen delivered.
    - Capello's is a great example: they used to order it online, but Stacy has talked a couple local shops into carrying them, which was Capello's goal in the first place.
- Sarah has a bit of a counter-perspective on sourcing protein.
  - Sarah gets a lot of their meat at the farmer's market in the summer when it's open.
    - In the winter she's buys meat from both local stores and Butcher Box.
  - There is an ideal: everything local, organic, in season.
    - Then there is the compromise we have to make things actually work in our lives.
    - We don't all have local farms close by where we can get quality food.
  - It is worthwhile to search for what is available locally, which might take a bit of research.
    - If it isn't available, don't feel guilty for ordering good quality meat online.
- Where you live will have a lot of influence over what you can find locally.
  - There are so many factors that affect what we buy and what our food budget is.
  - Eating locally is worth the effort into figuring out how to fit it into your life.
    - If it isn't possible, there are many other great options!
- Stacy would love feedback from anyone testing the Amazon/Whole Foods delivery options.
- Shout out to Matt for turning a conversation into a podcast!
- If you've enjoyed the show, please recommend it to someone who might enjoy it.
  - We love when you share and when you leave reviews for us! Thanks for listening!
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