I Compared 7 Grocery Staples at Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods — Here’s What I Found

Sue Hwang / GOBankingRates

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Like many people, you might not grocery shop at just one store. If you tend to fluctuate between Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Market, you may wonder which grocer offers a better value on certain store-brand items. Given the current economy, price is typically a top consideration. However, you are what you eat, so quality must also be taken into account.

GOBankingRates compared grocery staples at Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods to determine which has the lowest price and/or greater value.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• Winning price: $10.99 at Trader Joe’s

A blend from Italy, Greece, Spain and/or Tunisia, one liter of Trader Joe’s extra virgin olive oil costs $10.99. Notably pricier, one liter of 365 Whole Foods Market extra virgin olive oil — also a Mediterranean blend — is $14.99.

There doesn’t appear to be any key differences between the two olive oils, so Trader Joe’s is likely the better value, given the lower price.

Organic Cane Sugar

• Winning price: $4.29 at Whole Foods

Made with zero artificial ingredients, a 32-ounce container of 365 organic sugar costs $4.29 at Whole Foods. Similarly priced, you can get the same size container of Trader Joe’s organic cane sugar for $4.49.

Considering they’re both organic, contain only organic cane sugar and come in the same size bag, neither is likely better than the other. However, the Trader Joe’s option is 20 cents cheaper, making it a – slightly – better value.

Organic Whole Milk

• Winning price: $4.49 at Whole Foods

You can get a half-gallon of Trader Joe’s organic milk A2/A2 for $5.99. However, you might opt to save money by purchasing a half-gallon of 365 organic whole milk at Whole Foods for $4.49.

Digestive issues with milk would probably be the only reason to buy the Trader Joe’s version. Milk made from cows with the A2/A2 is more easily absorbed in the body, according to Alexandre Family Farm.

Eggs

• Winning price: $4.99 at Whole Foods

A dozen 365 cage-free non-GMO large brown eggs cost $4.99 at Whole Foods. Similarly, you can buy a dozen pasture-raised Large brown eggs for $5.99 at Trader Joe’s.

Both are Grade A eggs, with no antibiotics and outdoor access for the chickens who lay them. Therefore, the Whole Foods option is likely the better choice, given the lower price.

Spaghetti

• Winning price: 99 cents at Trader Joe’s

A 1-pound pack of Trader Joe’s spaghetti is 99 cents, while the same size package of 365 organic spaghetti is $1.99 at Whole Foods. They’re both imported from Italy and made from durum semolina, so the best choice is more of a personal preference.

If you prefer organic pasta, spend the extra $1 and buy the Whole Foods version. Otherwise, save a buck and shop at Trader Joe’s.

Canned Peeled Whole Tomatoes

• Winning price: $2.09 at Whole Foods

Picked and packed the same day, a 28-ounce can of 365 peeled whole tomatoes is $2.09 at Whole Foods. A same-size can of Italian whole peeled tomatoes with basil leaf is $2.99 at Trader Joe’s.

Honestly, the value between these two might come down to personal preference.

The Whole Foods option is Non-GMO and a product of the U.S. On the other hand, the Trader Joe’s version is grown in Italy’s Puglia region, then peeled and packed in Naples, within 12 hours of harvest.

Black Beans

• Winning price: 99 cents at Trader Joe’s

A pantry staple, a 15.5-ounce can of Trader Joe’s black beans costs 99 cents. Slightly more expensive, a 15-ounce can of 365 unsalted black beans is $1.09 at Whole Foods.

If you’re trying to limit salt, spending the extra 10 cents for the Whole Foods black beans is worth your while. Otherwise, you’re probably not going to notice a difference between the two.

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