Fresh Market Price Comparisons

If you’re like me you’re intrigued by a new grocery store in the neighborhood and when a Fresh Market moved into a retail space near me, I was curious. That lead me to head on over to the new grocer and seeing what they had to offer. To my surprise, Fresh Market wasn’t crazy expensive like I thought. Here’s a short review and guide to shopping at Fresh Market:

Shopping at Fresh Market

In my opinion, Fresh Market is one of those grocery stores you shop at purely for the experience. Many other companies like Whole Foods, Publix, Harris Teeter and Trader Joe’s are focusing on this as well. When you walk into Fresh Market you can almost feel the freshness of the product the company offers on its shelves.

Fresh Market is basically set up like most other grocers (produce, deli, bakery, meats on the outside and grocery items in the aisles). The quality of the product is what distinguishes Fresh Market from other grocery stores (like Walmart). That makes sense though because Fresh Market focuses on supporting local farmers and growers rather than commercial farmers.

Outside of produce, Fresh Market also has a great meat section (located towards the back in my store). Both the cut and quality of meats available were amazing! Fresh Market’s deli, bakery and coffee sections didn’t disappoint me either. In fact, I found myself falling in love with the Fresh Market experience.

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But, could my wallet handle a switch to Fresh Market shopping?

Fresh Market Price Comparison

My immediate thought is no. I can’t really switch to shopping 100% at Fresh Market but there are things I can get there (specifically meats, produce and wine). I normally do my shopping at lower-end markets for the best price but will hop from store-to-store for good deals and good quality. Comparing Fresh Market prices to stores like Aldi and Walmart isn’t fair though. How does the Fresh Market compare to other similar grocers?

Fresh Market vs. Trader Joe’s

• Produce: Organic Grape Tomatoes: Fresh Market, $2.99/pint; Trader Joe’s, $2.49/pint
• Meat: Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast: Fresh Market, $2.99/lb.; Trader Joe’s, $6.99/lb.
• Seafood: Salmon: Fresh Market, $12.99/lb.; Trader Joe’s fish selection, $6.99/lb.
• Bakery: Tiramisu: Fresh Market, 2/$3; Trader Joe’s Cinnamon Coffee Cake, $4.49
• Grocery/Dairy: Organic Milk: Fresh Market: $3.99/half-gallon; Trader Joe’s, $2.29/half-gallon
• Deli/Cheese: Sliced Mozzarella: Fresh Market, $7.99/16 oz.; Trader Joe’s Shredded Mozzarella, $4.99/ 8 oz.
• Wine/Beer: Red Blend Wine: Fresh Market, $12.99; Trader Joe’s, $5.99
• Coffee: Fresh Market, $6.99; Trader Joe’s, $6.99
• Private label items: With Fresh Market and many other higher-end stores you’re able to check out their private label items. Costco has become famous for its private label alcohol. Buying these private label items can save you cash.

Fresh Market vs. Whole Foods

• Produce: Organic Grape Tomatoes: Fresh Market, $2.99/pint; Whole Foods, $3.99/pint
• Meat: Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast: Fresh Market, $2.99/lb.; Whole Foods, $8.99/lb.
• Seafood: Salmon: Fresh Market, $12.99/lb.; Whole Foods, $12.99/lb.
• Bakery: Tiramisu: Fresh Market, 2/$3; Whole Foods, $3.99
• Grocery/Dairy: Organic Milk: Fresh Market, $3.99/half-gallon; Whole Foods, $6.99/gallon
• Deli/Cheese: Sliced Mozzarella: Fresh Market, $7.99/16 oz.; Whole Foods, $4.99
• Wine/Beer: Red Blend Wine: Fresh Market, $12.99; Whole Foods, $12.99
• Coffee: Fresh Market, $6.99; Whole Foods, $9.99

Fresh Market vs. Publix

• Produce: Organic Grape Tomatoes: Fresh Market, $2.99/pint; Publix, 2/$4
• Meat: Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast: Fresh Market, $2.99/lb.; Publix, $6.69/ lb
• Seafood: Salmon: Fresh Market, $12.99/lb.; Publix Tilapia Filets, $6.99/lb
• Bakery: Tiramisu: Fresh Market, 2/$3; Publix, Two-Count NY Style Cheesecake, $3.79
• Grocery/Dairy: Organic Milk: Fresh Market, $3.99/half-gallon; Publix, $6.99/48 oz.
• Deli/Cheese: Sliced Mozzarella: Fresh Market, $7.99/16 oz.; Publix Organic Cheese, 2/$8
• Wine/Beer: Red Blend Wine: Fresh Market, $12.99; Publix, $9.29
• Coffee: Fresh Market: Fresh Market, $6.99; Publix, $6.49

Fresh Market vs. Harris Teeter

• Produce: Organic Grape Tomatoes: Fresh Market, $2.99/pint; Harris Teeter, $3.99/pint
• Meat: Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast: Fresh Market, $2.99/lb.; Harris Teeter, $2.99/lb.
• Seafood: Salmon: Fresh Market, $12.99/lb.; Harris Teeter, $14.99/lb.
• Bakery: Tiramisu: Fresh Market, 2/$3; Harris Teeter, $5.99
• Grocery/Dairy: Organic Milk: Fresh Market, $3.99/half-gallon; Harris Teeter, $4.99/half-gallon
• Deli/Cheese: Sliced Mozzarella: Fresh Market, $7.99/16 oz.; Harris Teeter, $4.69/6 oz.
• Wine/Beer: Red Blend Wine: Fresh Market, $12.99; Harris Teeter, $10.99
• Coffee: Fresh Market, $6.99; Harris Teeter, $9.49

Among the stores listed above with prices, I think Whole Foods is closest to serving up a similar shopping vibe as the Fresh Market (with their prices and the feel of the store). The other similar stores compared offer similar products and similar shopping experiences.

Harris Teeter, which I frequent, actually has a majority of the products for much less. Each store also offers weekly deals, rewards programs and their own private label items that can save shoppers a lot of money as well. Over all, if you’re interested in Fresh Market and the “shopping experience” that comes with it, it is a great place. If you’re looking to cut your grocery budget (without caring too much about organic products) you should probably head elsewhere for your weekly shopping trip.

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Photos: NatalieMaynor, Mike Mozart, Rick Obst, Chris Harrison and Mike Kalasnik