Want to Save this Recipe?
Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you'll get great new recipes from us every week!
First of all, allow me to just be honest and admit that I do not love to go to the grocery store. As a matter of fact, it's really quite the opposite. However, as a mom, wife, and health coach, my life is pretty much centered around my quest to feed my family well and keep them healthy while helping others do the same. So, careful and frequent grocery shopping is a necessity.
While my search for shopping nirvana may never pan out, I am always thrilled when I find resources that make the process just a little bit easier. And that, my friends, is why, in addition to a wealth of great grocery destinations here in Charlotte, I. Love. Costco.
So today I'm going to share Part I of a two-part series on my go-to Costco shopping list for real, healthy food, which will include produce, pantry staples, frozen organic veggies and fruit, organic meat options, and a few other tidbits. And don't forget to print your free copy at the end of this post to take on your next visit. But first I am going to give you my short primer on shopping at Costco.
The Deal with Costco
- First off, you have to buy a Costco membership, which consists of a yearly fee. There are different levels, and if you find you are a frequent Costco shopper, an upgraded membership is worth the extra money, in my opinion, because it earns you cash back. You might want to go walk around with a friend who is a member before taking the plunge.
- Costco will refund your membership if you are dissatisfied for any reason.
- They also have a return policy that is very convenient. All you need is the item and your membership card.
- Costco will have varied selection depending on where you live, including their organic food offerings, but they are responsive to customer demands.
- If you worry that bulk purchases are too large for your household, shop with a friend (or two) and split the goods.
- Make a shopping list and stick to it. Yes, there are always hundreds of ultra-tempting seasonal items, but if you had no plans to buy a stand-up paddle board this year, just walk away.
- While Costco tends to carry higher quality items, you still have to dissect food labels and ingredient lists – as with any food store.
- Costco is known for treating both its customers and its employees very very well. That goes a long way in my book.
- Apparently you can save more money at Costco by understanding their pricing codes. Google it. It’s fascinating.
- Kirkland Signature is Costco's in-house brand.
Now, onto the shopping. Part I will cover produce and pantry items including a couple real food rule benders that you might, occasionally (okay, often) find in my pantry.
Produce I Buy at Costco
I’m starting with the produce section because I strongly believe that phytonutrients (plants) are key to good health and a long vital life.
In my home, we go heavy on this food group by eating a variety of fruits and as many veggies, including leafy greens, as we can squeeze in. And in my health coaching, I encourage clients to “crowd out” (not eliminate) other food groups with this one.
Costco has beautiful and bountiful produce. However, our local store, unlike others, does not carry a lot of organics, and while I do buy some non-organic produce items, I focus mostly on their organic salad greens.
I am often freezing my extra spinach and kale for use in smoothies or to add to various sauces and other recipes. Their greens selection is especially handy when our gardens and farmers markets here are bare.
| Produce Item | Quantity* | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Wholesome Garden Organic Baby Spinach | 1 lb. | $4.29 |
| Earthbound Farm Organic Spring Mix | 1 lb. | $4.29 |
| Taylor Farms Organic Baby Kale This is the perfect kale for people who don't like kale. | 1.5 lbs. | $4.99 |
| Taylor Farms Organic Superfood Power Greens | 1.5 lbs. | $5.29 |
| Eat Smart Sweet Kale 7 Superfoods Salad Kit I chuck the dressing and make my own. | 28 oz. | $5.49 |
| Bunny Love Organic Carrots | 10 lbs. | $6.99 |
| Avocados | 6 count | $5.99 |
| Onions | 10 lbs. | $5.59-6.99 |
| Garlic | 2 lbs. | $4.29 |
| Organic Fuji Apples Sadly, they've not had them for a while. | 5.5 lbs. | $11.49 |
| Bananas | 3 lbs. | $1.39 |
| Lemons | 5 lbs. | $8.49 |
Pantry Items I Buy at Costco
A well stocked pantry is another key to health and vitality, and mine is full of nutrient dense ingredients that I can throw into my culinary (I'm using that term very loosely) creations. Here I'll provide some details on several of my favorites, some of which are not yet common in mainstream kitchens.
| Pantry Item | Quantity* | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tru Roots Organic Quinoa Quinoa, a super seed, is definitely a staple in our home. It is a complete protein, and a little goes a long way. I use this gluten free star more often than rice these days. See my favorite way of preparing quinoa to always have on hand at the bottom of this post. | 4 lbs. | $19.99 |
| Village Harvest Organic Freekeh Freekeh, roasted green wheat, is a highly nutritious ancient grain that I use similarly to rice in dishes. | 3 lbs. | $8.97 |
| Pedon Organic Italian Farro Farro is the oldest grain domesticated by humans (according to its packaging). This protein and fiber rich grain is another grain that I use much like rice, and it is a favorite in soups, similar to barley. | 3 lbs. | $8.79 |
| Carrington Farms Chia Seeds Chia is another super seed. This tiny little gem packs a punch of fiber, protein, antioxidants, and Omega 3 fatty acids. Add it to granola, breads, muffins, yogurt, and even beverages. When it combines with liquid, it gels. So if you add it to say, mango juice, it will be a bit like drinking mango jello, but far healthier of course. | 2 lbs. | $9.89 |
| Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts These shelled hemp seeds are a good source of protein and healthy fat and are a great addition to salads and smoothies. | 28 oz. | $14.89 |
| Kirkland Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Great taste. Great price. Highly rated. | 2 liters | $13.99 |
| Carrington Farms Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil Pure, unrefined, and cold pressed. | 54 oz. | $15.99 |
| Ottovia Avocado Oil As if I need another reason to love avocados, this oil is great for higher temperature cooking or to use in salad dressings. | 1 liter | $8.89 |
| Hain Pure Foods Organic Flax Oil This delicate oil should not be thought of as a cooking oil. I use it in salad dressing. It is another source of Omega 3s, which almost all of us need more of. | 24 oz. | $14.79 |
| Kirkland Organic Chicken Stock | 6/32 oz. | $10.99 |
| Kirkland Oven Dried Organic Roma Tomatoes | 35 oz. | $8.99 |
| Spices I'm not listing them individually, but they have a great selection of the spices we use often and the sizes to accommodate. Their pink Himalayan sea salt grinder holds a full pound of salt. | varies | varies |
| Kirkland Pure Vanilla | 16 oz. | $6.99 |
| Kirkland Organic Peanut Butter | 2/28 oz. | $10.99 |
| Brad's Organic Almond Butter | 28 oz. | $13.69 |
| Kirkland 100% Pure Organic Maple Syrup | 1 liter | $12.99 |
| Nature Nate's Raw Unfiltered Honey | 40 oz. | $12.99 |
| Go Raw Raw Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds One of the best snacks ever! | 1 lb. | $9.99 |
| Kirkland Pine Nuts | 24 oz. | $25.99 |
| Kirkland Walnuts | 48 oz. | $18.99 |
| Kirkland Cashews | 2.5 lbs. | $14.99 |
| Kirkland Pistachios | 3 lbs. | $17.99 |
| Medjool Dates | 2 lbs. | $8.79 |
| Sunmaid Organic Raisins | 4 lbs. | $8.69 |
| Made in Nature Organic Calimyrna Figs | 40 oz. | $11.49 |
| Mayorga 100% Organic Cuban Coffee (In honor of my 100% Cuban mom-in-law.) | 2 lbs. | $14.99 |
Amy's Pantry Real Food Rule Benders
We aren't perfect. We maintain an average of about 80-85% whole/real foods in the Taylor household. It works for us, but we always strive to do even better. The following represents some of the imperfection within my pantry.
| Food Item | Quantity* | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Dave's Killer Organic Bread This bread is 100% whole grain with 21 whole grains and seeds. Its rule bender is the added sugar. | 2/27 oz. | $6.99 |
| Alpine Valley Organic Multigrain Omega 3 Bread This bread is delicious. I mean delicious. However, while it is full of whole grains, nuts, and seeds, it is not 100% whole grain. | 2/24 oz. | $6.59 |
| Tasty Bite Madras Lentils and Channa Masala These are a go-to if we need something hearty in a rush. My kids love them. Sunflower oil is the offender on this otherwise really short whole food ingredient list. | 6/10 oz. | $9.99 |
| Food Should Taste Good Multigrain Tortilla Chips This whole grain and seed, gluten free tortilla is fried in refined oil. | 24 oz. | $6.99 |
| Kind Bars I buy these because they are gluten free and far lower in sugar compared to almost all the other bars. The offending ingredients are glucose and soy lecithin. | 18 bars | $17.99 |
So there ya go, Part I is complete (update: Part II of my Costco list is now complete as well).
Get Your Free Copy
Head over to our Free Membership Area to get instant access to a printable PDF copy of my Costco Shopping List. You will also be subscribed to our weekly newsletter to be notified of new blog posts and recipes.
And as promised, here is my method for having perfect flavor-rich quinoa at the ready. I often double this amount and freeze it in servings of two and four.
Flavorful Quinoa
Ingredients
- 3 cups quinoa
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ onion (yellow)
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 5 cups vegetable broth (organic (or chicken))
- salt (to taste)
- pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Rinse 3 cups of quinoa and allow time for the water to drain thoroughly.
- In a large sauce pan, toast quinoa over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until quinoa makes popping sounds, about 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer quinoa to a bowl and set aside.
- Saute 3 cloves of garlic and ½ of a yellow onion in 2-3 tablespoons of avocado oil (or other) until softened.
- Add the quinoa to the mixture and stir until combined.
- Add 5 cups of organic vegetable or chicken stock.
- Bring to a boil. Turn heat down to simmer, cover, and cook for 13-15 minutes or until you see the little circles separating from the seeds. Salt and pepper to taste.
- I typically have a bowl on hand in the fridge and freeze what is left.
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup says
This list is so timely for me as not only will I be shopping at Costco tomorrow, but I am also considering dropping my executive membership. I love Costco, too, but I live 2.5 hours away from the nearest one and the cost of gas and membership are proving to be too much for us these days. Otherwise, if you live close to a Costco, I think it is a wonderful way to save money. Thanks for the post. I'm looking forward to part 2.
donna foster says
thank you so much for making this list. I also have your list from Trader Joe's. I can't tell you how much easier this makes it to go shopping, and it saves a lot of time. I am disabled and have been trough a lot. I have had several back surgeries, and bladder surgeries in the last 4 years. I was a pharmacy tech with Costco for 15 years and had to resign do to medical issues. I was having to take morphing, a pain patch, Norco, muscle relaxers, and antidepressants just to make it to work. I decided at 52 years old, it was time to take care of me, and put myself first. I have never done this being a wife and mother, I know you can understand. This all happened from 2010 to 2013. I also gained 60 pounds, due to lack of activity and pain medication. I am happy to report that I am now off the morphine, pain patch, and have gone from 8 Norco a day, to 2, and in two months should not be on any pain meds at all. Now getting to the point Lol, You are helping me with changing my life, by teaching me what is good for my body, and I now realize how important this is. It is very hard to do this, when you really don't know what to pick out. I have also lost 20 pounds. I want to thank you for your help, and will continue to read everything you post. I am going to share your website with a young friend I have who was given a death sentence 4 months ago. He is married with 4 children, and has colon cancer. Our doctors here have him 3 months to live, and he looked like he was only going to last that long. He went to Cancer Treatment centers of America, They thought him to only eat organic foods, whole foods, and they have a wonderful menu there. They have a smoothie bar, and only organic food. He goes there for his chemo treatments. we are in Redding California, and he goes all the way to Arizona. He posted a picture of himself, and he looks healthier now then he did before he got sick. This also has convinced me that you are on a wonderful path. I have taken enough of your time. Thank you again. Donna Foster
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Donna-Thanks for sharing all of that. Wishing you and your friend good health.
kelly says
what about the naked popcorn in coconut oil?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Kelly. I've not seen that product at our Costco.
Lynda says
This a helpful list. Thanks. All of my experience with Costco produce has been good. I looked at the Kirkland vanilla last week and noticed sugar on the ingredient list. Obviously it is only a tiny amount, but do you have any idea why sugar is added to vanilla?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Lynda. I have to confess that when I purchased the vanilla, I didn't look at the ingredient list because it said pure vanilla extract. I do not know why sugar is added. Just goes to show how important it is to check labels. ~Amy
ahmed says
Lucky! Theres no hemp hearts at the costco where i live in southern california.
Sarah says
I have to agree about fruit going bad quickly quite often. It seems sometimes I find something is fresh, tasty, and lasts but the next week I think it's the same fruit sitting there and it goes bad quickly when I take it home.. Problem is I don't know how long a product has been there. My Costco carries frozen organic broccoli which is convenient to always have on hand.
CYNTHIA SPANHEL says
oops...meant to type 'fan' not 'fun.'
CYNTHIA SPANHEL says
Due to a number of bad experiences over the years, I am not a fun of Costco produce... Examples: Bananas that never ripen, off tasting artichokes, greens that go bad with a day or two...
Laura says
I just discovered Medjool Dates at Costco a few weeks ago. I'd heard them described as "Nature's Candy" and figured I'd try them. They were so right. They are caramelly and raisiny and just great.
Jenny says
We have to drive to Louisville KY to get to a Costco. We keep hearing rumors they are going to build in Evansville Indiana. That would be so much closer. Do you have any idea where or if they may be building in Southern Indiana. Love Costco but usually go to Sams because can drive to Evansville Indiana or Owensboro KY which is much faster.
Lissa says
I love Costco! They do treat their customers and employees wonderfully (although I think their return policy is a bit too lenient and gets abused all the time which in turn gets passed on to the customers. I've known people who buy seasonal items then after the season is over, return them.) Our local Costco has really ramped up their organic selection over the past month or so and it's so reasonable! My only beef is that nothing is ever in the same place other than the produce section lol
Faith says
Great post! Can you share what aisle you find the pumpkin seeds on? Thanks!
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Faith. They have been in different places. Lately, they have been in the aisle with nuts toward the front of our store. ~Amy
JL says
Thanks for this!! My husband likes Sam's because of the gas prices and a few other things. I love their price on Ecos laundry detergent and a scant handful of other thing we don't buy regularly (huge pile of microfiber cloths). We have to choose between organic food and eco friendly toilet paper and paper towels, so the food wins out. We also purchase toilet paper and paper towels from there. But that's where the microfiber comes in to help offset wasteful paper towel use. Anyway, with three small boys, sometimes I just gotta have paper towels. I want to switch to Costco after reading your post! They do treat employees better and I had no idea they had the amount of organics that they do. Thanks again!
jenny says
WOW! YOU ALL MUST LOVE SPENDING MONEY ON OVER-PRICED GROCERIES!!!!!! $6.99 FOR A LB OF SPINACH!!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? I JUST GOT 2 LBS OF SPINACH FOR $3 AT GFS.
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Jenny. It is $4.29 for 1 lb of organic spinach.
Anna says
They also carry Kerry Gold grass fed butter which is one of the better store bought butters you can purchase and it is 1/3 of the cost at Costco than it is at other retailers.
Kathy says
I've shopped at Costco for years. I love that they have bags of frozen fruit without sugar that I can buy in the off season. The Wild Maine blueberries are my all time fave. I hit their produce section every time I go, that is really why I go. We recently moved to another state and I miss two of the stores that I used to buy from. They were what my friend's husband called, "stores for people who really cook". I am so glad that I at least have a Costco in the area.
Sandra says
The pine nuts at our local Costco are from China. Yuck.
Lon Landis says
Besides the gasoline savings that will pay for your Costco membership, I focus in on the some of the following items for good health;
1/California extra virgin olive oil (fresh & tasty with a nice bouquet--NOT stuck in ship containers for God knows how long from Europe. Organic salads. Lemons, Limes Frozen Alaskan salmon 2/White Label Marinara Sauce..family owned company out of Brooklyn. 3/Italian pasta (Garofalo). 4/California garlic Non-greasy Kirkland meatballs. 5/Tasty Campari tomatoes (Not taste-less Roma tomatoes you get in the stores) 6/Blueberries.6/Canned sardines packed in olive oil 7/ Kalamata olives 8/vegetarian stuffed grape leaves. 9/Greek yogurt etc. Enough said!
Katie B. says
LOVE Costco, and love that you mentioned how well they treat their employees.
One of my favorite items is Nature's Path Organic Ancient Grains Granola (http://us.naturespath.com/product/kirkland-signature-natures-path-organic-ancient-grains-granola-almonds). So delicious with plain yogurt.
Lissa says
Oh I love that stuff! I eat it w/ my plain greek yogurt and a tablespoon of raw local honey! Soooooo good!
Marjorie says
I love Costco, and they have a lot of great healthy options that making eating well so much more convenient and affordable. Granted, it would be nice if we could all buy everything local and organic. But in the real world...budget, practicality and availability are key concerns for me and my family.
I post grocery haul videos, and I have gotten great feedback on them. I buy a lot of the same exact items your show here. I think people need real-world/ practical ways to make eating healthy (1) easier and (2) more affordable.
Great post!
Jennifer says
I'm so excited to read this! We are getting our first Costco in our area of Michigan right now, opening in November. Good to know I can feed my family healthy means and keep within my budget.
Jocelyn says
I've been wanting to try Avocado Oil - do you think I could totally replace it for EVOO? I just don't use much oil, and a big bottle can go rancid. Do you think you could use it for baking?
Amanda Holloway says
I use it to make homemade bread and muffins.
Ashley says
Great list! Looks really similar to ours, except that I buy meat almost exclusively at Costco because they offer grass fed beef, organic chicken, and wild caught fish at super reasonable prices. For our family of 5 hungry people on a tight budget, this is our compromise area. :) We're also not perfect but we really try to stick to as much real food as possible that will fit into what we can afford - so far, so good! (PS As someone who cooks quinoa on the regular and has made some REALLY BAD recipes, this one sounds like a winner!)
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Ashley. I just haven't gotten to that part of my list yet. :) Part II will be coming soon. As for the quinoa, it is a big hit with everyone that has tried it. ~Amy
Ashley says
Amy, I guess reading the "Part I" part of the title would have been helpful, huh?! ;) I also forgot to mention that 7 Superfood Salad gets my children, who are the World's Foremost Experts on Why Brussels Sprouts Are Terrible, to actually eat them. Seriously good stuff!
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
That's funny. It is a really great salad!
Annemarie (Real Food Real Deals) says
It's great to see what the Costco real food list looks like in NC! I have a similar list on my blog detailing the extensive savings on real food (often organic) at my Costco here in Massachusetts. It looks like you have several things that I haven't seen at my Costco, including farro and organic raisins. I will keep an eye out. Thank you!
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
You are welcome, Annemarie! :)
Sierra J. says
I was wondering which type of Dave's Killer Bread you use. I also use it occasionally and couldn't decide which one was best. The 100% whole wheat does have added organic dried cane syrup, organic canola oil and organic molasses, while the PowerSeed Bread uses organic fruit juices(peach, pear and pineapple). I've been getting the PowerSeed Bread and wanted to know your opinion.
Thanks
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Sierra. Our Costco is carrying the 21 Whole Grains and Seeds bread but I've had the Power Seed as well as several others. I prefer the Power Seed and the fruit juice as sweeteners but I am just thrilled that they are carrying any! ~Amy
Helen says
Do they have a good quality refined coconut oil? I want it for lotion making. We are getting a Costco next year and I can't wait!
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Helen. I use this one on my skin! :)
Helen says
I didn't want the coconut smell ;)
Ally says
Our costco also carries organic cheeses, organic bananas, organic peaches, Nutivia coconut oil, hemp hearts, organic chicken Italian sausage, organic lunch meats, organic emerald valley salsa, organic pita pal hummus, some organic sourdough bread (not whole grain), assorted wild caught frozen fish, organic butter & milk, organic 1 ingredient whole grain pastas, a sprouted brown rice/quinoa blend by tru roots, organic honey, organic chicken & beef, and some other things I am forgetting.
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hey Ally. That's fabulous. I need to see if I can convince ours to start carrying more!
Vala says
I love the kale superfood salad. Interested in hearing what kind of dressing you make with it since you toss the bag one. Love your website and all your amazing info that has helped me and my family eating cleaner.
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hello Vala. Usually just a simple citrus vinaigrette with a bit of honey added. Yum.
Joy Harry says
How do you freeze your kale and spinach for use in smoothies? I hate when I don't use all of mine and have to throw it out when it gets skunky!
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Joy. I put it in large Ziplock bags and suck the extra air our with a straw so it "vacuum" seals. :)
Jennifer F says
Yes! I've convinced a couple friends to join Costco because of the increasing number of real food products they sell, the great prices, and their amazing return policy. (once we brought back a cordless home phone that stopped working after several years- no problem). Luckily here on the SF peninsula they have a lot of organic produce- especially organic berries in the summer. Our staples are many of what you mentioned- just the coconut & olive oils, nuts, maple syrup and honey alone save us a lot of money (since we get them so frequently and can now even have google shopping bring them to us!), and affordable organic frozen fruit gets us through winter. They now sell grass fed organic meats and I usually get their whole organic chickens and cut them up if needed. Thanks for the list and the recipe- I'm looking forward to trying a different way to prepare quinoa. :)
Laura says
i also love costco! we overlap on a lot of items on your list. i am extremely jealous that yours carries farro!! haven't found it at mine.
one other thing i often buy is the kirkland greek yogurt. not organic (i am a repeat offender with this one... can't stomach the cost) and 2 giant tubs cost roughly the same as 1 tub would at the grocery store!
Lissa says
I wish it wasn't low fat. All the good microbes are killed in the processing it to low fat. I should put in a request for the whole fat versions if they have it available.
April says
How do you freeze the quinoa? How do you thaw it?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hello April. Typically, I just scoop a cup or two into Ziplock bags or jelly jars and pull them out as needed. We use a lot of quinoa. ~Amy
Sunshine+Design says
This is such a great post. I'm a Trader Joe's girl, but this list is enough to make me switch. Thanks for doing all the thinking for me.
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
:)
Andrea says
Thanks for the shopping list...I am not sure our Costco carries some of these, but I know to look out for them now!
nicole says
Your Costco has some great pantry things that ours does not ( only thing I dislike about Costco is that selection varies store to store.) Our Costco carries Lara Bars which are real food approved and a great swap for those kind bars you have listed. We got organic apples back this week at our Costco as well so keep your eyes out. Thanks for sharing, helpful to see options at other Costco stores so I can request to our Costco. They are very responsive to feedback!
Jen P says
Great list. Love that they have so many organic options at Costco. We ended up paying $9 to renew our membership this year, because of the cash back check we earned.
The only thing that I absolutely dislike, on your list, is the Kirkland Pure Vanilla. I am an avid baker. I only use organic, whole ingredients. I make almost everything from scratch. I can tell you that the Kirkland Pure Vanilla is absolutely horrible! It is NOT pure vanilla...it even lists sugar as an ingredient and it taste nothing like PURE vanilla. Splurge and always stock a high quality pure (check the ingredients) organic vanilla in your pantry. You just won't find a high quality, cheaply priced vanilla.
Barbara Weist says
What do you think of the organic Madagascar vanilla beans Costco has been offering? I used these for some of my jams this year...
Jen P says
Ohhhh! I love Madagascar vanilla. I haven't seen this at my Costco, but I will definitely look for it this weekend while I am there :) !
Jen S says
If you don't see them this time, keep checking. Our Costco seems to carry them seasonally for holiday baking.
Anna says
I have been making my own vanilla using Madagascar vanilla beans. So yum!
Laura says
oh no, oh no i didn't know this about their vanilla! argh! thanks for the heads up
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
You've inspired me to do a taste test! And the beans will be on my next list. :)
Barbara Weist says
I have a similar list of foods I get at our Costco, and I was thrilled to see organic apples recently return--the presliced ones are never as good. I also love when they offer organic peaches in the summer so I can, freeze, and dry as many as I can!
Leah says
Also, Costco just started using green signs for organic foods and white signs for non-organic foods throughout its stores. Very helpful to quickly identify organic choices.
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Leah-I did not know that. That will be very helpful!
Michele says
Do you ever shop at Target? We have a SuperTarget by us and they carry the "Simply balanced" line. It's organic and many of the products seem to be whole foods. I am just starting on this journey and was just curious, plus I want to make sure I am doing this right 😉
Barbara Weist says
Most of Target's Simply Balanced products are NOT organic. A few are, but you have to look VERY closely. Only one of their fruit leathers is organic, strawberry. But the boxes look nearly identical. So just beware. I get a few of their things, but have to pay very close attention.
Also at our Target, I find organic yogurt tubes (I haven't mastered making my own yet, and they pack well for lunch boxes), organic nut-free granola bars by Cascadian Farms (the vanilla chip ones), and pureed fruit pouches for when I need a portable snack in a pinch. I usually make a monthly Target run for these items.
Lissa says
Are the yogurt tubes whole milk or lowfat?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
When we lived in Florida, Super Target was one of the stores that I shopped. They always had a decent selection of organic produce and carried a bunch of organic cheeses.
Jamie says
Thanks for this list! So helpful to know what is available where I shop anyway. Question for you- Lara Bars are not on your list- does your store not sell them or does your family not eat them? I thought I was doing okay with those did my kids, but maybe I'm missing something. Thanks again!
Dea says
My Costco, very sadly, stopped carrying the Larabars nearly two years ago. But they are great (I now get them via Amazon subscribe & save).
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Jamie. They do carry Larabars but my family prefers nut bars, in general. I, personally, am hypoglycemic and have to have a bar with less sugar, even the natural kind, and more protein. But, I totally should have listed Larabars as an option! ~Amy