Often jokingly referred to as “Whole Paycheck,” the price of groceries can eat up real quick at Whole Foods. If you enjoy premium fruits, vegetables, meats, and cheeses, then this organic-based grocery store is for you. Just because Whole Foods has a reputation for being on the pricer side doesn’t mean that there aren’t ways to get some big-time savings. Read below to unlock the biggest savings hacks when shopping at your local Whole Foods marketplace.
1. Download the Whole Foods App
Before you go shopping, always check the Whole Foods App for the latest sales and coupons. To use the online coupons, simply have the cashier scan the barcode on the app. If you have an Amazon Prime account, you can scan to get an extra 10% off your order.
2. Don’t buy everything organic
The overall goal of buying organic is that you don’t eat foods lathered with pesticides or chemicals. Some organic foods, such as avocados, have a thick outer skin that protects the inner flesh from pesticides. So, before spending all your money on foods with an organic label, check out the dirty dozen to find out which fruits and vegetables you can buy at a lower cost.
3. Follow Whole Foods on social media
Local Whole Foods stores will announce daily specials so make sure to stay in the loop on things on Twitter and Facebook. Whole Foods also posts a lot about recipe ideas you can make.
4. Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card
Get 5% back on all your Whole Foods purchases with the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card. There is no annual credit card fee and you can also get 2% back at all restaurants and gas stations. Make sure to pay off the card every month so that you save even more.
5. Shop the 365 Everyday brand
Whole Foods produces their own private label of groceries called 365 Everyday Value. Many of their products are natural and organic, but come at a lower price tag and are more affordable than other brands at the store. There are over 4,400 products and more than half of them are organic.
6. Look for Prime Member discounts
If you have a Prime membership you can receive extra deals on select items each week. The blue signs throughout the store indicate deals that are only for Prime members. These savings can be as much as 50%. If you are a Prime member and find a yellow sign, that means you can save an additional 10% off an item.
7. Prime Members get free shipping when you spend $35 or more
Some areas across the country offer delivery services for their groceries. If you fall into one of those zip codes and you spend more than $35 on your order you will get free shipping. The delivery window for drop off is typically 2 hours.
8. Work at Whole Foods
If you truly love Whole Foods, try working there! Whether you work there part-time or full time, all employees will receive a 20% discount in-store. After six months, there is the opportunity to upgrade from 20% off to 30% off.
9. Buy whatever portion size you like
In many departments at Whole Foods, you can ask for a specific portion size of particular items. From cheese to watermelons, ask an employee and they will cut it so that it fits your needs rather than buying the full item you may never use.
10. Try to avoid buying the meat at Whole Foods
Whole Foods has a variety of juicy looking cuts of meat, but the price per pound can add up real quick. The meat offered is of great quality, but it is also very overpriced for what you get. If you do decide to buy meat directly from Whole Foods opt for lesser-known cuts of meat. Try flat iron steak, boneless sirloin, or skirt steak. Look over these 11 tips from a Whole Foods butcher before you decide on the cut of meat you want.
11. Buy in season
There is a reason why so many fruits and vegetables are on sale in the summertime. In-season produce not only looks better, but it also tastes better. When you eat in-season you could potentially be saving double on your produce items.
12. Opt for the bulk bins
From flour and rice to beans and dried fruit, Whole Foods offers bulk bins for every day unique options. The bulk bin items don’t include any artificial sweeteners or added fats. These bins give you the freedom of buying as much or as little as you like and they also save on plastic!
13. Shop on Wine Wednesday
We all love a nice glass of wine at the end of the day, but sometimes it can be a little too pricey. On Wednesdays at Whole Foods, you can get 20% off your wine total if you buy 6 bottles. This still may sound like a lot, but Whole Foods offers a seasonal top 10 wine program where you can find artisan wines for under $20. Sometimes you can even score a deal for a $10 bottle of wine that you will find nowhere else. Also, when you buy a whole case of wine, you receive 10% off the entire case. The only downside is you can’t mix and match flavors.
14. Ask for the leftover bones
You can make a great homemade broth with the leftover bones from Whole Foods. Simply go over to the meat department, ask for the leftover bones and they will give them to you for free. You can do the same in the seafood department with leftover shells.
15. Bring your own bag
Over the past few years, many grocery stores have begun charging shoppers a fee for every bag they take home. Don’t fear. At Whole Foods, shoppers will receive a 10 cent discount every time you use your own reusable bag. Bag savings do add up over time.
16. Don’t buy pre-cut items
Items such as pre-cut watermelon may seem more convenient, but they are actually a lot more expensive than the whole fruits or vegetables. It may seem like you are saving time buying pre-cut, but these trays and bagged produce will only end up wasting your money. The typical non -wrapped produce is typically more healthy and fresh anyway.
17. 25% off beauty week
Despite being known for its assortment of organic foods, Whole Foods offers a great selection of high-quality beauty products. Every year from March 11-17th Whole Foods has a 25% off sale for all beauty or personal-care products. From witch hazel to shampoo, this sale has everything. Prime members can also get an additional 10% off. During this sale, Whole Foods offers a $20 dollar beauty bag with a value of $120.
18. Stack coupons
Master the art of stacking coupons to get a bigger bang for your buck. Try finding a coupon for every item you would like to buy. Most local Whole Foods will allow you to stack manufacturer coupons with a store coupon for even bigger savings. Add in some cashback apps and your savings will go through the roof.
19. Try before you buy
See a new item, but you aren’t sure if you will like it? Don’t worry. Whole Foods has a policy where you can taste any of their products before you buy them. This includes any fresh produce or prepackaged items in the aisles. Stop worrying about spending money on a product you won’t like. Simply ask a team member if they can open it for you and you are more than welcome to try it before you buy it.
20. In-store coupon for your kid
Bringing your children to the grocery store can be a hassle. If your little ones are tagging along, stop by the customer service desk and ask for the Kids Club coupon. This coupon works for organic apples, fruit strips, or natural animal crackers.
Stay healthy, Save more
Whole Foods offers some of the healthiest grocery options out there, but prices really do add up quickly. Don’t miss out on the amazing food options that Whole Foods offer.
If you do your research before you walk into the store, you can save a lot of money and still purchase everything on your list.
Try visiting your local Whole Foods and decide for yourself if you would like to give it a shot.
The limitless and unique options will be worth your time.
