For those in the western states...Grocery Outlets!

[JenasaurusX]

Has anyone in the western U.S. visited a Grocery Outlet (their logo's a big rainbow)? There used to be one in my hometown and it was my favorite place to buy groceries - it was all close-outs, overstock, weird brands or mislabels, etc. and I was dirt poor! That place made sure I didn't starve - it was awesome (I even had my picture in one of their newspaper ads as one of their happiest customers) . Well, now it's like fifteen years later and I found one not too far from my new hometown and on a whim I dragged my husband down there this afternoon. I didn't think they'd have too much for us, since I've become much pickier about the food I eat (I wasn't a vegetarian back then, for one), but WOW - they had a huge selection of organic, vegetarian, and "natural" food and toiletry products.

Here's just some of the goodies I got...
Rachel Perry skin care products - six bucks each!
Newman's Own organic cat food - 3lb bag for $2.50
Fantastic World Foods vegetarian soups - 2 for a buck
Barbara's organic granola bars - I think they were a buck fiddy for a box
Jones Soda - about $3 for a 12 pack
and so much more...
tempura veggies, organic pasta sauce, organic juices galore, Avalon organics soaps (liquid and bar) - I mean half the things are stuff I buy from a regular store anyway, but less than half the price on some of it.
I was truly impressed and so was my husband. If we ate dairy and eggs we'd really be in heaven - they had Linda McCartney and Amy's brand frozen foods.
Check out their site and see if they have a store near you: Grocery Outlets (http://groceryoutlets.com)
If anyone goes, let me know what you think!

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

Oh I LOVE LOVE LOVE Grocery Outlet stores!! You're absolutely right, there are lots of great vegan items (most times). It's always a little like a treasure hunt when we go, you never know exactly what's going to be available.