25 Outside-the-Box Places to Buy Groceries for Less

Looking for ways to save on groceries? Check out these creative places to buy groceries that you may not have thought of!

I recently asked my Instagram followers and Facebook followers for their best suggestions on places to buy groceries for less that aren’t actually grocery stores… and you guys came up with SO many great ideas!

25 Outside-The-Box Places to Buy Groceries For Less

It might not pay to make separate trips to all these different locations, but if you’re in the vicinity of these stores or shopping at one of these stores anyway, here are a few ideas of what you might look for…

1. Restaurant Supply Store

Be sure to check their prices on food and paper products.

2. Gas Station

A few people said that they occasionally find good deals on milk and butter.

One person said she gets all her milk, eggs, onions, and bananas at Kwik Trip (and uses their rewards card to get an extra 10% off already lower prices!). Wow!

3. Dollar General Market

Apparently some readers have found half-price meat at Dollar General Markets!

It’s also a great place to shop for small portion sizes if you’re only a one- or two-person household. You pay less money for a smaller amount of food and nothing goes to waste.

4. Orchards

Check to see if they sell “seconds” or bruised/ugly fruit for less. Even if they don’t, it’s often significantly less expensive to buy larger quantities directly from the orchard than from a grocery store.

5. Dollar Tree

They often have great deals on spices, snacks, lemon juice, and paper products.

6. International Food Stores and Farmer’s Markets

Don’t overlook the International markets and grocery aisles! This is a great way to get groceries for less:

International farmer’s markets are a great place to buy flours to make your own gluten-free flour blends.

Mexican vanilla often very reasonably priced at Mexican Meat Markets.

International Food Stores typically have lower prices on meats, produce, and spices.

The International foods grocery aisle has cheaper canned veggies, beans, and spices than you’ll find on the traditional canned food aisle.

7. Amazon Resale (formerly Amazon Warehouse)

Amazon Resale sells used, returned, open-box items and is known to have good deals on snacks. Click here for more detailed info.

8. Home Goods, TJMaxx, Marshall’s, and Ross

These stores have the best marked down groceries, simply from these items being overstocked at regular grocery stores!

You can get great prices on olive oil, avocado oil, mustards, spices, coffee, chocolate, jellies & jams, jarred fruits, teas, snacks, cookies, healthy foods, International foods, and so much more!

9. Discount Food Stores

Discount food and grocery stores are a prime place to find great prices on groceries! These stores sell close to date snacks and overstocked/returned items. And many followers said you can often get great prices on meats and frozen food, too.

I personally have visited and LOVE the Christian County Freight & Grocery Store in Missouri! And there are tons of different local stores like this in various regions/areas. Just Google to see if there’s one near you.

There are even a few chains of these types of stores, like Ocean State Job Lot, Grocery Outlet, and Bargain Hunt.

And if you don’t have one near you, you can check out Martie — an online discount food store that offers great deals on natural, organic, and gluten-free products!

10. Big Lots

Big Lots is a great store to shop for snacks, cereal, soups, k-cups, and spices at lower prices. You can also often find good deals on gluten-free and clean label products.

And if you shop when there’s a 20% off sale, you’ll get an even better deal!

11. Farm Supply Store

Don’t forget about your farm supply store, if you have on near you. One follower said: “We buy a 50-pound bag of rolled oats. It’s food grade and cheap.”

12. CVS

They often have great deals on cereal when it goes on sale.

13. Local Bakeries

One reader mentioned that her local bakery that supplies the grocery stores also sells day-old bread items in their storefront for reduced prices (and still tastes amazing!).

14. Restaurant Supply Stores

Some of these stores allow the public to shop there without paying a membership fee.

15. Misfits Market

Misfits Market is a great option for produce — bruised or mis-shapen, but organic and cheaper!

16. Azure Standard

Many followers mentioned that Azure Standard is a great online store to buy bulk organic purchases at lower prices.

17. Amish & Mennonite Markets

If you have one near you, it could be a great source of savings on produce, cheese, milk, bread, baking supplies, and spices! You might also find great prices on meats, if yours has a deli counter.

18. Local University

One follower said their local university sells from their livestock program once or twice a week.

19. Menards

Yes, they sell groceries at great prices right along with home remodeling items. And they often have 11% rebates and great coupons!

20. Local Butcher Shops

Many people raved about buying meats from local butcher shops. It’s leaner, less expensive, and tastes way better than meat from a grocery store.

21. Bass Pro Shop

They have great spices, canned jams & jellies, and all types of country biscuit mixes.

22. Roadside Stands

You can often get cheap produce items from local roadside stands!

23. Kohl’s

One reader said she uses her Kohl’s Cash to buy treats for her kids, so that she doesn’t have to pay out of pocket for those. What a great idea!

24. Ollie’s

They often have good deals on detergent, toothpaste, and dishwasher soap. You can also typically find cereal, granola bars, candy, and spices significantly cheaper than grocery store prices.