Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Natural Market Showdown

Natural markets are popping up all over Dallas, but who has the best deals for vegans? Some say Sprouts, others say New Flower, and many still maintain that Whole Foods and Central Market offer all around better deals. 

I decided to compile a short list of vegan faves for a little price check adventure of my own. The results, while not entirely shocking, were not what I expected. I'm sure we've all heard Whole Foods referred to as "Whole Paycheck," but you'll notice their prices are not always the highest. And if Central Market doesn't get their act together (stock those shelves, guys!), they're going to get crushed by the Whole Foods mega-mall set to open around the corner!


Almond Breeze Almond Milk
Central Market $1.99
New Flower $2.29
Sprouts $2.29
Whole Foods $2.69



Boca Organic Vegan Burgers
Central Market N/A
New Flower $4.59
Sprouts $4.99
Whole Foods $4.39



Bragg Liquid Aminos
Central Market $3.99
New Flower $3.99
Sprouts $3.99
Whole Foods $3.99



Ener-G Egg Replacer
Central Market $6.29
New Flower $4.79
Sprouts $5.99
Whole Foods $5.99



Fakin' Bacon
Central Market $4.49
New Flower $3.79
Sprouts $3.49
Whole Foods $3.99



Follow Your Heart Vegan Gourmet Cheese
Central Market N/A
New Flower $3.69
Sprouts $4.19
Whole Foods $4.49



Gimme Lean Ground Beef Style
Central Market N/A
New Flower $3.49
Sprouts $3.99
Whole Foods $3.69



Gimme Lean Ground Sausage Style
Cenral Market N/A
New Flower $3.49
Sprouts $3.99
Whole Foods $3.69



GT's Kombucha
Central Market $3.59
New Flower $3.39
Sprouts $3.49
Whole Foods $3.49



Madhava Amber Agave Nectar
Central Market $3.99
New Flower $3.69
Sprouts $3.49
Whole Foods $3.39



Miso Mayo
Central Market $4.59
New Flower $3.99
Sprouts N/A
Whole Foods $4.39



MorningStar Farms Chik'n Strips
Central Market $3.29
New Flower $5.49
Sprouts N/A
Whole Foods $3.99



Nate's Meatless Meatballs
Central Market $5.19
New Flower $4.59
Sprouts $4.99
Whole Foods $4.99



Nayonaise (Original)
Central Market N/A
New Flower $3.99
Sprouts $3.69
Whole Foods $3.99



Silk Soymilk
Central Market $2.99
New Flower $3.69
Sprouts $3.69
Whole Foods $3.29



Smart Dogs
Central Market $3.69
New Flower $3.49
Sprouts $3.79
Whole Foods $3.69



Tofurky Oven Roasted Deli Slices
Central Market N/A
New Flower $2.59
Sprouts N/A
Whole Foods $2.69



Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese
Central Market $2.99
New Flower $2.79
Sprouts $2.99
Whole Foods $2.99



Tofutti Better Than Sour Cream
Central Market $2.79
New Flower $2.29
Sprouts $2.49
Whole Foods $2.69



Vegenaise (Original)
Central Market N/A
New Flower $3.99
Sprouts $3.49
Whole Foods $3.49



All amounts reflect regular prices, not sale prices.


10 comments:

Classy&Sassy said...

Awesome, Eddie! I'm so impressed with all your research. And you're right - CM needs to watch out :)

Jamey said...

wow, great job Eddie! I've been meaning to try New Flower, but just haven't had a chance to get out there. Looks like it may be worth the extra drive for me to get there.

Unknown said...

Great research, and I love your blog. I've not tried out New Flower or Sprouts, but now I might take a look!

I wonder *overall* what's more expensive? What we need is a standardised vegan shopping cart to total across the stores.

Keep up the good work!

Brandi said...

Great post! I have STILL not tried Sprouts, and there is one just a couple miles from my house. I haven't ever heard of New Flower until today, we may have to check them out as well.

Eddie G said...

Thanks!

@ Jey B

Sounds like it could be a fun project... :)

Jen said...

look at you mr. comparison shopper! btw, i'm baaack, and i've missed everyone tons. all of your supermarket faves, are oddly my faves minus the miso mayo-(i've never tried) and the kombucha-(i have to be careful about ingesting certain fermented products).

see you around!

Eddie G said...

Yay! So glad to see you're back, Jen :)

Now I just have to figure out what happened to Amanda of Whiskey Tango Vegan...she's M.I.A.!!!

Monique a.k.a. Mo said...

I love posts like this! I've always felt the best part of Whole Foods is definitely the store brands. That stuff can definitely compete with other prices.

I never shopped Central Market for anything except their huge bulk spice section. I have yet to go anywhere in California with as much variety.

Maria Whitworth said...

Ahhh, you left out Natural Grocers on Campbell and Coit! You've gotta go there and compare too ...their ONLY organic produce is way less than Whole Foods, and they are such a cool little place. I am voting for this Colorado based store to succeed in our area -- go check them out!!

Jamey said...

Finally went to Newflower yesterday. I mainly went there to shop for produce - and wow, they have great prices on that. I think it might be worth it to drive the extra few minutes it takes me to get there.