Here are the stores with the most affordable staple grocery prices in the Bellingham area
As the cost of food prices continue to rise, The Bellingham Herald compares prices for staples online and in-store at local stores monthly to identify low prices.
Prices at grocery stores have continued to rise throughout 2022, with food prices 10.9% higher in July 2022 compared to July 2021, and raising 1.4% between June and July this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
This increase is supposed to continue throughout the year the USDA stated, predicting that grocery prices will increase between 10%-11% in 2022, and restaurant food prices will increase between 6.5%-7.5%.
The USDA also predicts that in 2023, grocery prices will have a less dramatic increase of only 2%-3%.
These increases have encouraged shoppers to find ways to save on groceries and check if they are eligible for food stamps or assistance programs.
Prices aren’t going up everywhere, though. Fred Meyer, Safeway and WinCo Foods tied for the most affordable price for a gallon of milk. Here are some prices we found at a few Bellingham grocery stores as of Thursday, Sept. 8:
Gallon of milk
A gallon of Fred Meyer’s 1% milk is $3.49, up from $3.39 last month.
A gallon of Safeway’s Value Corner 1% milk is $3.49, down from $4.79 last month.
A gallon of Walmart’s Great Value 1% milk is $3.62, down from $3.72 last month.
A gallon of Haggen’s Value Corner 1% milk is $3.69.
A gallon of WinCo Foods’ 1% milk is $3.49.
A gallon of Whole Food Market’s 365 1% milk is $3.99.
Dozen eggs
The price for a dozen eggs varies depending on egg size, grade and color. Overall, in Bellingham Walmart had the most affordable price for a dozen eggs.
Fred Meyer has a dozen Kroger Grade AA Large Eggs for $1.99, up from $1.59 last month.
Safeway’s dozen Lucerne Farms large eggs are $1.99, the same price as last month.
Walmart’s dozen Great Value grade AA large eggs are $1.57, up from $1.49 last month.
Haggen’s dozen grade AA large eggs are $3.19.
WinCo Foods’ dozen extra large eggs are $2.28.
Whole Food Market’s large white grade A eggs are $3.39.
Sandwich bread
Sandwich bread prices vary by weight and type of wheat. Walmart had the most affordable price for a 20-ounce bread loaf, as well as the cheapest price per ounce.
Fred Meyer has a 20-ounce loaf of Kroger Enriched White Bread for $1.69, up from $1.33 last month. That’s .075 cents an ounce.
Safeway’s 16-ounce Value Corner Bread loaf is $1.29, the same price as last month. That’s .08 cents an ounce.
Walmart’s 20-ounce loaf of white sandwich bread is $1.00, the same price as last month. That’s .05 cents an ounce.
Haggen’s Signature Select 22.5-ounce white bread loaf is $2.19. That’s .09 cents an ounce.
WinCo Foods’ white 20-ounce sandwich bread loaf is $1.28. That’s .06 cents an ounce.
Whole Food Market’s classic white 24-ounce loaf is $3.49. That’s .14 cents an ounce.
Cheerios cereal
WinCo Foods’ only carried the 12-ounce box of Cheerios for $3.48. That’s 0.29 cents an ounce, making it the cheapest store to buy Cheerios in Bellingham. Walmart came in second place with 0.39 cents an ounce.
Fred Meyer’s 8.9-ounce box of Cheerios is $3.99, down from $4.19 last month.
Safeway in Bellingham’s 8.9-ounce box of Cheerios is $5.49, the same price as last month.
Walmart’s 8.9-ounce box of Cheerios is $3.48, the same price as last month.
Haggen’s 8.9-ounce box of Cheerios is $5.99.
WinCo Foods’ 12-ounce box of Cheerios for $3.48.
Whole Food Market’s 8.9-ounce box of Cheerios is $4.49.
Chicken breast
We compared the prices of boneless chicken breast. WinCo Foods had the best overall price for boneless chicken breast at $2.88 a pound. Walmart had the cheapest price for frozen chicken breast at $3.78 a pound.
At Fred Meyer, three pounds of frozen Kroger Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts with Rib Meat is $11.99, or $3.99 a pound, an increase from last month’s price of $13.99, or $4.66 a pound.
At Safeway, a 2.5-pound bag of frozen boneless skinless chicken breast is $14.99, or $5.99 a pound, the same price as last month.
At Walmart, three pounds of frozen Great Value Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast is $11.34, or $3.78 a pound, the same price as last month.
At Haggen, refrigerated boneless, skinless chicken breast from the meat counter is $4.99 a pound.
At WinCo Foods, refrigerated Sanderson Farm boneless, skinless chicken breast fillets with rib meats $2.88 a pound.
At Whole Food’s Market, refrigerated boneless, skinless chicken breast from the deli is $6.49 a pound.
