Planning a trip to the grocery store can feel like a chore. Preparing a list ahead of time can help you shop effectively and prevent you from having to make multiple trips. We’ve compiled a list of essentials – and some of our fave treats – to get you prepared for your next grocery haul! Enjoy the fresh food market experience at our stores where wholesome foods and delicious vegan options are around every corner. Follow us in this ongoing series where we’ll share more helpful shopping tips, unique product highlights, and tasty recipe ideas.
Shopping tips
List & Items
- Always organize your shopping list according to items, department, and store layout.
- fruit, vegetables, proteins, dry goods etc.
- Invest in a set of re-usable mesh produce bags.
- This not only limits the usage of single use plastics, but also helps fruits and vegetables last longer by allowing gases that cause ripening to escape.
- Don’t forget your grocery bags at home or in the car!
- We’ve all been in that situation when you’re ready to cash out but have forgotten to bring in the bags.
Food
- Purchase ingredients that can be used for more than one dish.
- This helps you to get the most value out of what you buy.
- It also lowers the frequency of shopping trips!
- For fruits, choose a range of ripeness according to your eating habits.
- Less ripe bananas can be spread out and eaten throughout the week.
- With fruits like apples, pears, peaches, and nectarines, it’s best to select more firm options so that they can be enjoyed over a longer period.
- Carefully select fully ripened fruit that you know you’ll eat within a few days of purchase.
- With berries, tender fruit, delicate vegetables, and other sensitive produce, refrain from washing until you are ready to eat or cook them.
- Often, these fruits need to be stored in a single layer and not stacked on top of one another.
- In-store specials and awesome deals are just as fun for us as they are for you!
- Look for reduced-price items that can be saved or even frozen for later.
Vegetables
*Among the top veggies with protein
*Among the top veggies with protein
*Among the top veggies with protein
- Bell peppers can be roasted with other veggies or sliced fresh to include in salads.
- The green vegetables can be used in pastas, soups, and salads.
- Potatoes can be used as a side and enjoyed in a multitude of ways from mashed to fried.
Tip: Choose veggies that are adaptable to extend their use towards many dishes versus a few.
Fruits
- Stone fruits such as peaches and nectarines can be eaten firm to soft.
- Apples can last quite a long period of time; especially when refrigerated.
- Bananas should be bought less ripened (green).
- Berries should be consumed first.
Tip: Select a variety of fruits with different levels of ripening times and ripeness, this will give you options throughout the week!
Protein
Lentils are rich in iron and have a wonderful earthy taste! 
Lentil Soup with Crusty Bread. 
Chick peas or garbanzo beans, are incredibly versatile. 
Fresh or lightly blanched, they have a corn-like sweetness and texture. 
Roasted they develop a nutty flavour and texture similar to a potato. 
Hummus is a chickpea classic! 
Beans are a great source of plant-based protein. 
Black Bean and Corn Salad. 
Tofu is an incredibly wholesome protein and can be used in savoury and sweet dishes!
Cheese Alternatives
Just because you’re vegan, doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the cheesy goodness and flavours. With our extensive line of vegan cheese alternatives, you can make your favourite sandwiches, pizzas, and even poutine. These tasty cheeses will surely make it onto your weekly shopping list. Try our favourite staples below!
Our top picks:
- Vegan Feta-Style Cheese Alternative
- Vegan Swiss-Style Sliced Cheese Alternative
- Vegan Poutine-Style Curd Cheese Alternative
Grocery
Try with: Plant-based burgers, salads, and roasted veggies.
Try with: A cauliflower-based alfredo sauce.
Try with: Hotdogs, burgers, and sausages.
Try with: Your favourite fruits or celery sticks.
Sweets
Enjoy with: A sparkling beverage for an extra sweet and fruity taste.
Enjoy with: A cherry or blackberry sauce.
Enjoy with: Fresh strawberries.
Drinks
Smoothies: Fresh and frozen fruits blended with juice or water make for a wholesome thirst-quenching drink. 
Instant Coffee: It’s perfect for a cup of java on-the-go or for crafting drinks with bold coffee flavour! 
For example, this Dalgona Coffee is creamy, rich, and smooth. Enjoy it warm or as a chilled beverage. 
Oat Milk: This dairy alternative is an essential pick-up for cereal lovers, coffee drinkers, and cookie dippers. There are many options including flavoured and barista varieties for you to enjoy! 
Fruit Juice: We have plenty of pure fruit juices for you to enjoy and use in your next creations. If you have a juicer, grab your fave fruits and create your own tasty combinations.
Snacks
Try with: Carrots, celery, and cucumber.
Try with: Fresh salsa or guacamole.
Try with: Roasted Potatoes.
Try with: Our Lime Tortilla Chips.
Frozen
Try our:
