6 Groceries That Are Way Cheaper at Whole Foods

We know that many shopper jokingly call Whole Foods Market the “Whole Paycheck” Market, and in some instances, they’re not entirely off base. The grocer is famous for having high-quality goods (Whole Foods has earned top marks in many of our taste tests, from sour cream to salad dressing to canned tuna.) at prices to match, and a quick jaunt to Whole Foods often ends in a head-scratching total at the checkout: “How did five things on my list really cost more than $50?”

We get it. And we did some digging, comparing prices at major grocery stores and membership warehouse chains. You might be surprised to learn that certain groceries actually are a better deal at Whole Foods, provided you know how to shop them.

Here are some of the biggest savings you can get on popular grocery items at Whole Foods.

Which Foods Are Cheaper at Whole Foods?

Specialty Cheeses

Savvy shoppers will already know the Whole Foods cheese hack we’re about to promote. This is an especially good tip to use if you want a small amount of a variety of cheeses. Head to the cheese section and look for a basket of odds and ends. Whole Foods packages up all the pieces of cheese that are leftover after its typical cheese-packaging process, and sells them for a fraction of the price (often just $5). It’s a great way to score some quality cheese without breaking the bank. 

Organic Dry Pasta

If you’re shopping the 365 by Whole Foods Market brand, you’ll likely find slightly better prices on organic dried pasta at Whole Foods compared to other in-house brands. A comparison of dry linguine prices between Whole Foods, Walmart, Kroger, and Target showed Whole Foods to have the cheapest organic option by as much as a couple cents per ounce. You could score an even better deal if you manage to find some on sale.

Organic Tomato Paste

You might find shockingly good prices on organic tomato paste at Whole Foods compared to other retailers. We found Whole Foods sells its 365 brand of tomato paste at less than $1 per six ounces, while comparable organic tomato paste from other brands all cost at least $1.10 per six ounces. It may not seem like much, but cents add up in the long run.

Organic Frozen Strawberries

The next time you need organic frozen strawberries for a smoothie, you may be better off saving the purchase for Whole Foods. We found that the 365 brand carries organic frozen strawberries for $3.75 at our local store. Walmart may be able to beat that price in bulk, but a same-size bag at Target costs nearly $5—and Safeway’s comparable bag is just under $7.

Organic Almond Milk

Whole Foods carries a 365 brand organic almond milk for just under $3 (for 64 ounces), which is a steal when you consider what other comparable name brands go for. Califia regularly sells between $3.50 and $4 at most retailers, and the Malk brand can cost even more. And shelf-stable, organic, boxed almond milk is a whole new ball game; you’d be hard-pressed to find any cartons for less than $3 per 32 ounces. 

Organic Peanut Butter

Again, the difference is pretty marginal here, but still notable: You can find a one-pound jar of organic peanut butter for less than $5 at Whole Foods, whereas other retailers will carry the same size of organic peanut butter for at least a dollar more. The Santa Cruz brand, for example, regularly costs more than $6 for comparable jars. And the popular MaraNatha brand can reach up to $9!

Prime Member Deals

If you’re an Amazon Prime member, don’t forget to check the site when you’re doing your grocery shopping. Because Amazon now owns Whole Foods, it regularly offers discounts to its Prime members that may make some goods cheaper than you’d find elsewhere. Sales rotate regularly, with weekly deals that can save you up to 20 percent on premium cuts of meat or even a whopping 40 percent off fruit. You’ll also find brand-specific savings on occasion, too.