It doesn’t get much fresher than locally-sourced meats, breads, and produce from your local market. With an emphasis on quality and reasonable prices, shopping at independent markets is an excellent option when you’re out getting groceries. Below are 10 of the best markets in California where you can find products that meet or exceed your standards for delicious, healthy, and affordable food.
This small independent store offers a great selection of organic and non-GMO products, vitamins and supplements, natural cosmetics, bulk foods, and homeopathic remedies. You can make your purchases to take home, or get something from the salad bar and enjoy it outside on the newly expanded deck. You may have many choices of where to buy natural foods, but Rainbow Acres Natural Foods in Los Angeles, California, works hard to be the best grocery store in the area.
Barons is a local neighborhood market where you can find a great selection of natural and specialty items at reasonable prices. The main market has six branch locations across California, and you’ll find unique grocery items as well as typically products. The main difference with this market is that everyone here loves what they do, whether it’s securing the best deals from suppliers, spreading the news about sales, or taking orders and requests from customers, or working to make your shopping experience the best it can be.
With three convenient locations in San Jose and one in Sunnyvale, California, Zanotto’s Family Market is open every day of the week with freshly made deli salads, soups, dips, sandwiches, 100 percent natural beef, pork, chicken, and lamb, and seasonal produce from local sources. Shoppers will also find Italian special items from Italy in this three-generation market that takes pleasure in providing quality fresh food at the best prices.
Rainbow Grocery is a worker-owned establishment that serves the Bay Area of California and prides itself on finding locally sourced products at the best prices. They pass those prices on to customers, and also offer informational workshops and delicious recipes and tips to make your food gathering, preparation, and eating an enjoyable experience. Open since 1975, this cooperative works hard to support sustainable living.
If you’re looking for an independent market that caters to what customers want, Los Novillos Market in Riverside, California, is the place to visit. Highly recommended for reasonable prices and quality meat, great seafood, and fresh produce. The store is clean and well maintained and the staff will gladly help you find what you want. Born out of the desire to continue providing quality food and produce to the public, this little market is so confident about the freshness of their produce that they guarantee it will last five days after purchase. Shoppers will also find traditional Mexican grocery items and there’s a Mexican Kitchen on premise that serves traditional Hispanic breakfast, lunch, and dinner items.
How long has it been since you walked out of a local market with more than one bag of groceries with spending half your paycheck? That’s a possibility again if you shop at the Grocery Outlet Bargain Market. You’ll find a good selection of meats, vegetables, and wines, and they even have organic produce available. Do check dates on items, though, because heavily discounted items may be approaching the expiration date.
Kristina’s Natural Ranch Market in Fresno, California, is the hidden gem of grocery stores. Don’t let the rundown appearance on the outside keep you away because this little store carries a good selection of items including raw dairy products, fresh nut butters, and local honey, as well as bulk items. The brick and mortar store has been in operation and serving the Central San Joaquin Valley for over 30 years, and they have an online store where you can order thousands of your favorite products.
Anyone with a connection across The Pond will find The British Connection in Torrance, California, to be a great little grocery store. Purveyor of all things English, this store is surprisingly friendly and accommodating in helping you find the products you’re seeking. While they don’t carry fresh produce, they do offer a good selection of Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and even Australian foods.
If you want fresh meat cut and prepared the way you want it, Adlong Groceries & Produce in Los Angeles, California is the place to be. They have a great selection of items for and regular specials, and the cashiers are helpful when you can’t find what you want. They will even marinate your meat for pickup later in the day, and they have a limited selection of Mexican products. After shopping at big name grocery stores, the friendliness and personal attention is welcome.
Known as the “heart of Beachwood Village,” this little market has an excellent assortment of meats, wines, and everything in between. Beachwood Market in Hollywood Hills, California is a welcome change from the larger, more impersonal food stores. Their meat department is above comparison, and they have a deli with delicious salads and pre-cooked items for those times you don’t want to cook. This place is highly recommended on social media sites and you’ll feel great about supporting local independently owned stores.