Greener Grocery Shopping - at Aldi's

Aldi Food Stores are a different kind of grocery shopping experience. Growing in popularity, they offer "select brand" instead of "national brand" groceries at deeply discounted prices. You can save up to 50% on your grocery bill, shopping at Aldi. As well, you will find it to be a "greener" way to shop because of the way an Aldi store operates.

Here are some tips for shopping at Aldi:

First of all - BRING A QUARTER. The shopping carts are outside the store, linked together buy a chain and a lock that will only open when you put in a quarter. Don't worry! You get your quarter back when you take the cart back and lock it back up. This eliminates the need for employees to fetch carts in the parking lot.

Secondly - BRING YOUR OWN BAGS! As you shop you may pick up emptied boxes from around the store to use (similar to Costco) and you can purchase bags at the checkout, if you forgot to bring your own. They have paper bags, heavy-duty handled plastic bags, and the popular fabric "green" bags for sale. The price for paper and plastic is nominal; I think it was 6 cents a bag at my store. But, we greenies like to bring our own bags anyway, and it is refreshing to find a store that encourages the practice.

Third - DON'T GO NUTS! It is easy to get carried away, when you notice how extremely low many of the prices are, and end up running out to get a second cart! They aren't going anywhere! Take a list the first time, to help with self-control.

Fourth - Find out when your local store gets it's weekly shipment. This is the day the special items of the week get in, as well as they will have the most grocery items in stock. The weekly special items can go fast. This information is available on their website.

I think I am about Aldi's biggest fan. I actually discovered it many years ago, but have not always lived near one. I am happy to find there are 18 Aldi stores in Maryland, and one that I know of in nearby Hanover, PA.

Visit the Aldi Foods website to learn more about what they offer, and find a store near you. http://www.aldifoods.com/. Have fun, and shop smarter!