Friday, October 17, 2014

A Student Guide to Grocery Shopping in Kalamazoo, Michigan


Map of Kalamazoo, MI

Price Range
$: won’t break the bank
$$$$: maybe you’ll frequent in 10 years with your stable salary - all thanks to your K College degree

Walking/Biking (from K College campus)

Bank St. Farmers’ Market
Location: 1204 Bank St.
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 7:00am – 2:00pm through Oct. 29th
Open only Saturdays through November 22
Price: $-$$$$ depending on vendor
Great market with over 100 vendors at peak season. Offering everything from seasonal produce to gluten free baked goods to handmade underwear to alpaca socks…prepared food is also available making it a prime stop for breakfast or lunch.
Don’t miss: A U.P. classic; a pasty (pronounced PAST-ee) from Grampa’s Pasty & Pie Co

100-Mile Market
Location: People’s Food Co-op parking lot - 507 Harrison St.
Hours: Wednesday 3:00 – 7:00pm through Oct. 29th
Price: $-$$$$ depending on vendor
Smaller market featuring local growers (no distributors) with occasional live music and kids’ activities. The Organic Gypsy food truck is a great spot to grab a snack or dinner.
Don’t miss: Bike your way to a smoothie with the Fresh Food Fairy’s stationary bike-blender.

Douglass Farmers’ Market
Location: Douglass Community Association 1000 W. Paterson Street
Hours: Tuesday 3:00pm – 6:00pm through September 30th
Price: $-$$$ (less expensive than Bank St. or 100-Mile)
A true community market with 10 vendors, mostly small local farms and gardens. Aimed at promoting food sovereignty for the Northside Neighborhood.
Don’t miss: Mz. Marilyn’s peanut butter cookies for $1 each

Park Street Market
Location: 512 N. Park St.
Hours: Monday -Saturday 8:00am – 9:00pm, Sunday 8:00am – 7:00pm
Price: $$
Northside Neighborhood grocery store, easy to find what you need – not a lot of choices. They have an extensive and affordable catering menu as well – throw a party!
Don’t miss: The green tea energy elixir that Kiar – co-owner – developed, available near the checkout. (Can’t say I’ve been persuaded to actually try it yet, but he’ll tell you all about it if you’re curious)

People’s Food Co-op
Location: 507 Harrison St.
Hours: Daily 7:00am – 9:00pm
Price: $$$$ (shop the sales and bulk section!)
Offers local and organic produce, extensive bulk section (nuts, granola, flours grains, etc.) fair trade coffee, local milk and cheese, delicious deli options…your typical health-food-store noshes.
Don’t miss: Free samples! There’s always a featured cheese, usually paired with a nut, dried fruit, or pickle in the back left corner of the store.


Vehicle/Public Transportation

Hardings
Location: 412 Howard St. (closest to campus); 1000 E Cork St.; 2626 E. Main
Hours: Daily 6:00am – 10:00pm
Price: $$
Your standard old-school grocery store with good deals, lots of alcohol, and a mediocre produce section.
Don’t miss: The child-size shopping carts. Throwback!

Sawall Health Foods
Location: 2965 Oakland Dr.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:00am – 8:00pm, Sunday 10:00am – 6:00pm
Price: $$$
Health food store with a wide variety of options, a good bulk section, nice atmosphere and friendly staff.
Don’t miss: 10% student discount! Bring your ID

Natural Health Center
Location: 4610 West Main
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:00am – 8:00pm, Sunday 10:00am – 5:00pm
Price: $$$
A small natural food store with somewhat limited selection, decent sales, and a plethora of supplements, vitamins, protein powders, etc.
Don’t miss: Great beauty products

Meijer
Location: 5121 S Westnedge Ave. (closest to campus); 5800 Gull Rd.; 6660 W Main St.
Hours: 24/7
Price: $$
The only place on this list with self-checkout…HUGE store full of way to many things you won’t want or need. Walk the length of a football field to get from the produce section to that tube of toothpaste you keep forgetting to buy.
Don’t miss: The one-cent rocking-horse ride on your way out.

Pacific Rim Foods
Location: 1926 Whites Rd.
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10:00am – 8:30pm, Sunday 12:00pm – 6:00pm
Price: $
Asian market with a good selection of fresh vegetable varieties, fresh and frozen seafood, imported Asian snacks, rice, ramen noodles, sauces, condiments, and teas.
Don’t miss: Quail eggs! I don’t think you can find those anywhere else…

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