Additional Coverage:
- I typically spend $60 at Trader Joe’s on weekly staples. I was shocked when I tried to take that budget to Whole Foods. (newsbreak.com)
Private Chef Compares Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods
As a private chef, I typically buy groceries at Whole Foods for clients, but for my family, I prefer Trader Joe’s due to its affordability. I recently tested my $60 Trader Joe’s budget at Whole Foods to see how it compared.
Milk:
Both stores offer organic half-gallon cartons for around $4.39.
Mandarin Oranges:
Trader Joe’s bags cost $3.49, while Whole Foods had them on sale for $4.99 (regularly $6.49).
Avocados:
Trader Joe’s organic avocados are $0.75 each, while Whole Foods sells non-organic avocados for $1.25 each.
Seaweed Packs:
Trader Joe’s packs cost $0.99, while Whole Foods sells similar packs for $2.99.
Gluten-Free Pasta:
Trader Joe’s offers 1-pound bags of gluten-free pasta for $3.49, while Whole Foods sells half-pound boxes for $3.19.
Truffle Cheese:
Trader Joe’s sells truffle cheese for $13.99 a pound, while Whole Foods offers a similar cheese for $22.99 a pound.
Tofu:
Trader Joe’s organic tofu is $1.99, while Whole Foods sells organic tofu for $2.29.
Chicken Tenders:
Trader Joe’s sells frozen chicken tenders for $8.99, while Whole Foods offers a smaller bag for $11.99.
Garbanzo Beans:
Trader Joe’s organic chickpeas are $1.09, while Whole Foods sells them for $1.39.
Tortillas:
Trader Joe’s store-brand tortillas cost $1.99 for eight, while Whole Foods sells name-brand tortillas for $4.59 for ten.
Butter:
Trader Joe’s unsalted organic butter is $6.29 a pound, while Whole Foods sells it for $7.39.
Cucumbers:
Trader Joe’s packs of mini cucumbers are $2.49, while Whole Foods sells them for $2.99.
Conclusion:
For a $60 budget, I was able to get far more items at Trader Joe’s than at Whole Foods. While Whole Foods offers some unique and higher-quality products, Trader Joe’s is a better value for my family’s weekly grocery needs.