After several hours of list making, link finding and price figuring, here is the resource I’ve been promising for such a long time!  I’ve tried to include everything that typically can be found in my fridge, freezers, pantry and bulk storage.  I obviously don’t have all of these items on hand all of the time, but I do try to keep a good stock of most of these items so that I am flexible to put together a variety of healthy meals, as well as open our home to guests frequently.

I’ve included prices I prefer to spend on each item, but prices vary depending on which site is offering a sale.  Keep in mind that prices are going to vary depending on where you live as well.  Because I live in a small town with very few whole foods/organic food grocery store options, I buy most of my food from local farmers, from online shops or from Azure Standard, depending on where I find a better deal.  (Plus, I try to save up most of my Swagbuck earnings to purchase food occasionally for “free” from Amazon.)

I buy almost all of the listed items in bulk quantities because I know we’ll use it.  I also try to purchase just about all of the items in this list in organic form if possible.

Because you are all reading from different locations, I also recommend that you read through the comments on this post in order to find a health food co-op or whole food resources in your area.  Also, check out LocalHarvest to find meat, milk, eggs and produce in your area.

Hopefully the linking system I used in each section is user friendly!  If I linked to Tropical Traditions, Amazon, Azure Standard or Mountain Rose Herbs, I tried to link each item to the specific product page on those sites for easy navigation.

If you’re curious, you can read more about our food budget for our family of 6 here.

And now, without further ado, here is my very long list of grocery items I love to have on hand:

Dairy

In addition to the following products, occasionally I make butter and mozzarella cheese, if I have enough milk/cream/time.

Milk – I am blessed to only pay $4.00/gallon for raw, organic milk.
Cream – I buy this raw from our milk farmers – $3/pint.
Buttermilk – Homemade
Kefir – Homemade
Yogurt – Homemade
Sour Cream – Homemade
Butter – I usually purchase a case of Willow Made Sweet Cream, Unsalted Butter from Azure Standard.   The case lasts us 2-3 months and averages to be $3.50/pound.
Cheese – I purchase raw organic Landmark white cheddar cheese from Azure Standard.   It is $5.47/pound if purchased by the case.

Meat/Eggs/Beans

I purchase most of my grass fed beef and free range whole chickens from a local farm – NorthStar Neighbors.  Occasionally, I will get it from Tropical Traditions if they have a great sale.

Hamburger Meat – $4.35/pound at most
Cube Steak – $4.95/pound
Stew Meat – $4.95/pound
Beef Roast - $5.55/pound
Chickens (whole) – $12/extra large chicken, which I can stretch to feed my family six meals!
Chicken Breasts – I typically purchase Smart Chicken brand when it’s on sale at our local grocery store for $3.oo/pound or less.
Deer Meat - from local hunters who like to share
Tuna (canned) – I buy Natural Value Yellow-Fin by the case either from Amazon or Azure Standard, shooting for $1.50/can or less.
Salmon (canned) – Rubinstein’s Wild Alaska pink salmon from Azure Standard or Roland’s from Amazon – $3.00 or less per can.
Frozen Fish, sometimes - I live in Nebraska, what can I say?  We don’t have fresh fish here.  I don’t necessarily trust frozen fish from a regular grocery store, but occasionally I will buy some tilapia or salmon.
Eggs – I buy these from my friend who raises free range chickens and pay $2.50/dozen.
Red Beans -  Azure Standard – $1.00/pound
Black Beans - Azure Standard – $1.40/pound
Pinto Beans – Azure Standard – $1.10/pound
Garbonzo Beans – Azure Standard – $0.85/pound
Lentils - Azure Standard – $0.75/pound

Grains

Hard White Wheat – I buy this in bulk through a big Wheat Montana truck load drop off organized by a friend or from Azure Standard – $0.42/pound.
Whole Kernel Corn – Azure Standard or Tropical Traditions – $0.50/pound
Popcorn – Azure Standard, Tropical Traditions or Amazon – $1.25/pound
Rolled Oats – Azure Standard, Tropical Traditions or Amazon – $0.80/pound
Brown Rice -  Azure Standard, Tropical Traditions or Amazon – $1.80/pound
Whole Wheat Pasta – Tropical Traditions or Amazon – around $2.00/pound

I sometimes have Kamut, Millet, Buckwheat, Spelt and/or Barley on hand – purchased from Azure Standard or Tropical Traditions – all less than $1.00/pound.

Baking/Cooking

Coconut Flour – Azukar Organics through Amazon (best price!) or Tropical Traditions when it’s buy one get one free – $3.50/pound or less.
Sucanat - Azure Standard or Amazon – $2.50/pound or less
Raw Honey – I purchase from a local bee keeper – $6.40/6 pounds (which is an outrageously good price)
Grade B Maple Syrup – Farmers Market or Amazon – $17.00/quart or less
Cocoa Powder – Azure Standard or Tropical Traditions – $4.25/pound or less
Vanilla Extract - I make my own; read how you can too!
Corn Starch – Azure Standard or Tropical Traditions – $3.20/8 ounce box
Arrowroot Powder – Azure Standard – $2.57/pound or less
Aluminum Free Baking Powder – Azure Standard or Amazon – $2.65/pound
Baking Soda – Azure Standard or Amazon – $1.00/pound or less
Shredded Coconut – Tropical Traditions- $17.50/gallon pail
Chocolate Chips – Homemade or Amazon – $4.50/package or less
Butterscotch Baking Chips – Homemade
Active Dry Yeast – Azure Standard or Sams (if I can get a friend with a membership to grab some for me!)

Herbs and Spices

These are purchased either from Tropical Traditions, Azure Standard or Mountain Rose Herbs.  I didn’t link to any specific site for these – where I buy these depends on who has the best price at the time.

Redmonds Real Sea Salt
Garlic Powder
Turmeric
Minced Onion
Onion Powder
Onion Salt
Oregano
Basil
Cayenne Pepper
Black Pepper
Chili Powder
Paprika
Parsley
Cumin
Cinnamon
Nutmeg

Condiments and Sauces

Ketchup – I make homemade ketchup or purchase Muir Glen Organic Ketchup from Amazon or Azure Standard – $2.70/bottle
Mayonnaise – I like Hain Safflower Mayo from Azure Standard – $5.50/jar or less
Mustard – Azure Standard – $2.35/bottle
Worcestershire Sauce - Azure Standard – $5.00/bottle
Soy Sauce - Azure Standard – $5.50/bottle
Liquid Smoke - Walmart  ;)
Salad Dressings – I make my own, recipes are found here.
Jams and Preserves – Azure Standard or Tropical Traditions – $3.00/jar
Peanut Butter - I make my own, recipe found here

Fats

Coconut Oil, Virgin (tastes like coconut) – Tropical Traditions, Amazon, Mountain Rose Herbs – $15.00/quart
Coconut Oil, Expeller Pressed (flavorless) - Tropical Traditions, Amazon, Mountain Rose Herbs – $10.00/quart
Olive Oil – Azure Standard, Tropical Traditions – $17.00/25 ounces or less
Butter – Azure Standard (Yes, I’d already mentioned this in the dairy section, but it’s also a fat.  Apparently, I love butter enough to mention it twice.)
Palm Shortening – Tropical Traditions, Amazon – $25.00 or less per gallon

Fruits and Vegetables

Tomato Sauce, Tomato Soup, Tomato Juice – we grow and can our own supply for each year
Green Beans, Sweet Corn, Peaches, Strawberries, Applesauce - we grow or buy from local farmers and preserve these ourselves each year.
Frozen Peas – Azure Standard – $7.70/5 pounds
All Other Fresh Produce – Azure Standard or local grocery stores

Nuts

Peanuts – Azure Standard or Amazon – $3.70/pound
Pistachios, Cashews, Almonds – Braga Organic Farms
Dried Fruit – Azure Standard or Braga Organic Farms

Cereal and Chips (purchased rarely)

Cornflakes – Amazon – $3.00/box
Rice Crispies - Amazon – $3.00/box
Corn Chips – Amazon – $4.00/bag

What have I forgotten to add to this page?  Probably some very obvious food items!  Leave a comment to let me know and I’ll add it as soon as I can.

Also, so that you will always and forever have easy access to this resource list, I have added a link at the top of my site called Whole Foods Resources.  I’ve also added this pantry button to my side bar, which will link to this post:

Thanks for all your encouragement to get this list created!!  You guys are awesome!