Feature by our Editorial Assistant Colleen

It’s not shameful or odd to buy no name brands anymore. In fact, it seems to be like the new trend now with everyday shoppers.

I, myself have been buying more of them since I found that they are not only more affordable but they are actually not bad at all.

I have no doubt that most grocery stores that sell “no name” brands must have seen a serious increase in their sales since the economy took a dive for the worst.

It might have been frowned upon a number of years ago to buy “no name” or generic brands because often times the label of “no name” brands just say “no name” on a yellow or white background. It did seem a little suspect in terms of what you would get when you opened the box but I think all those fears have been put to bed now.

The reality is that “no name” or generic brands don’t have the appeal of products that show a nice photo of the food you will be getting inside, but these days most people just can’t afford to have these worries anymore.

There are some items that I think “no name” brands would be suitable for that could definitely cut down on weekly or monthly grocery bill, but I think there are certain products you should probably stick with brand names you are comfortable with.

Here’s a list of some products that you might want to consider switching to “no name” to save a buck or two:

1) Rice crackers – I often don’t find much of different between this and name brands. Light rice crackers normally taste the same to make. Try it out and make sure you have a fresh box.

2) Cans of tomato soup – I think soups are also a safe choice. But I would stick to basics and check out the sodium levels. 

3) Chicken or vegetable stock – You add chopped up vegetables into the stock anyways and whatever else you like. Stock is often used as a base that you just add to so I don’t find a big difference between cooking with a name brand and “no name” brand and you flavor to taste anyways.

4) Sugar – I picked up a pack of “no name” brown sugar before and that turned out fine.

5) Chips – Chips are chips no matter the make. They aren’t the most nutritious food to eat anyways so I don’t mind what brand it is.

Krizia’s two cents: I wanted to add a last point to Colleen’s feature. I personally would not buy generic brands of chips, because I buy a specific brand for specific reasons. That said, if I had to attend a picnic and there was going be a larger crowd to feed, I would mostly buy generic chips, pretzels and cheese sticks because they are in some cases considerably less expensive than brand names.

Photo by modomatic

I quickly thought of moving permanently to Seattle when I found out about this!

Beginning June 25, the Washington state’s Ferry Farm Stand will open every Wednesday evening at the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal, offering Seattle commuters a variety of locally grown produce in convenient $5 USD bags!

Yes, you’ve read this correctly, $5 groceries!

I don’t know if residents of Seattle realize how lucky they are because commuters arriving on the island via the busy 4:40 pm and 5:30 pm ferries will be able to grab a bag of fresh local lettuce, some crisp sugar snap peas or a box of sweet, island-grown strawberries before they get in their car or board their bus or bike.

All of the food sold at the Ferry Farm Stand will be picked fresh at farms on Bainbridge Island and nearby North Kitsap. Sound Food (a food and community organization servicing the Puget Sound area in Seattle) is providing all of the staffing, organization and promotional support, allowing 100 per cent of the proceeds to go directly to the farmers.

This brilliant initiative is designed to encourage local residents to eat more food grown close to home.

Bringing the produce to consumers (rather than expecting them to find it themselves) and then pricing it for a speedy transaction is a clever approach that looks ripe for emulation anywhere local produce is grown. Imagine the response in the subways of Toronto, New York City, Paris, London or Singapore!

I remember that in Paris, I had noticed quite a lot of fruit vendors, but were selling fruits at the same price you’d find them at the grocery store … they weren’t farmer’s produce and the concept was selling convenience rather than the benefits of eating locally. I’d say that Seattle is heads and shoulders above any other city in getting its residents to turn locavore (people who eat locally grown foods).

Photo by Robert Couse-Baker