One of my biggest adjustments to living in Germany has been doing all my grocery shopping at the commissary. Totally not what I expected. I figured that the different driving laws, the language barrier, or the distance from home would throw me for a loop. But grocery shopping?
Where I used to live, Kroger, Wal-Mart, Whole Foods, and Market Street were all within a 5 minute drive of my house. I only ever shopped at Market Street, but I had options. And, oh, the beauty that is Market Street!
I miss you!
Fresh food, huge selection, they use the NuVal system so it’s easy to make healthy selections, and Market Street has the absolute best customer service in all the land. (I’ve called the manager there on a few occasions to tell them what excellent service I’ve had. If you are looking for a way to brighten your day, this is a good way to do it. Most stores don’t get positive feedback, and they are so happy to hear it.)
But now I’m just left with the commissary. No amazing Market Street. No crummy Kroger’s. Just the commissary. There are a lot of things that I don’t love about the commissary that I can get over. No more NuVal system. Foods are organized differently than I think they should be. The baggers only work for tips, so I feel obligated to tip them. (At Market Street, they carried your groceries to your car, and they weren’t allowed to take tips.) But like I said, none of that is make or break. (It’s really just me being bratty. “Take my food to my car, load it up, and I shall not pay you, minion!”)
Where I do all my food buying now.
The thing I’m struggling with: lack of selection. Last week I wanted to make stuffed shells. (It’s my version of fancy cooking.) Alas, no large shell noodles at the commissary. Only certain kinds of apples are available. Boo. No guacamole, not even the fake kind in plastic packaging!
I really hit the roof last week when there was no plain yogurt. None! How can a grocery store not have a large tub of plain yogurt? And how can I make my beloved smoothies without the yogurt? I ended up buying an individual container of vanilla. It was the best I could manage at the time.
This yogurt tastes deelish as is, but in a smoothie? It was just “eh” and probably not as healthy as plain.
I know there are reasons that the commissary doesn’t have every single little thing that I want. The only carry foods that are high in demand, have a long shelf life, and can travel well (if they are being imported). It makes sense, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it!
Thank my lucky stars, Stephen found some plain yogurt at the commissary this week! I wasted no time in making a smoothie!
Delicious heavenly nectar! (In the mix: ice, plain yogurt, a banana, frozen strawberries, frozen mango chunks, frozen blueberries, a splash of orange juice, and a squirt of honey.)
Happiness upon happiness! When it comes down to it, I don’t hate the commissary. Not even a little. I’m adjusting. I think it has been so hard for me because the foods we eat are personal, everyday kinds of things. Even when I’m not emotional, food (familiar, delicious food) is comforting. I’m starting to fall into a new routine with new favorites. (Blue corn tortilla chips, fancy granola bars, and sandwiches made at the deli counter are new favorites in our household.) And now that I have some yogurt, I think I’ll somehow manage to make it through.
Are you as obsessed with your grocery store as I was with Market Street? What’s the best thing about where you shop?
I feel you. I love big grocery stores with all the bells and whistles. We have Wegmans here, which is all kinds of awesome, but it’s not conveniently located so I do most of my shopping at the commissary. I also pick up extras (and things the commissary doesn’t carry) at a handful of other local stores. In Hawaii we will ONLY shop at the commissary (perhaps Costco, as well?) because food at the regular store is $$$$$$. Twelve years ago, I stumbled into Safeway and saw that a small package of chicken breasts cost $11. I can only imagine what that may cost now. I’m already mourning the lack of variety we’ll be made to deal with.
Do they have yogurt like Yoplait and Chobani there? Or just German brands? It’s so hard to not equate familiar food with comfort, so I can definitely understand this post.
Holy Cannoli! $11 for chicken?! Egads! Yeah, I’d be sticking to the commissary with prices like that, too! I haven’t done any shopping on the economy here, but I don’t think the prices are that bad. I’m more concerned with not being able to read the labels.
The yogurt selection at the commissary is really sad. The German brand that I buy is delicious and cheap, so I’m happy with it. (Not for smoothies, but for snacking it gets the job done.) There’s no Yoplait, and I don’t think there is Chobani, but I’m not 100% on that one.*
I very much understand. Food is comforting and personal, and selection makes a really big difference. I live right upstairs from a Dominick’s grocery store, which has reasonably good selection but it is pricier than average. When I have time, I drive out to the local Mexican produce markets and stock up – it’s so much cheaper. Then, there’s a fantastic grocery store near my parents named Woodman’s which has the most complete selection of groceries I’ve ever seen, at reasonable prices. I consider it a treat to go there and always come back with a carload of food!
In any event – I am really glad you were able to get some plain yogurt! I agree, how could a grocery store not carry plain yogurt!?!?!? It’s a staple!
You live above a grocery store? That sounds so cool and urban! Jealous! Woodman’s sounds like the ideal store, selection and good prices. I’ll admit, Market Street – my fave – didn’t have the cheapest prices around. It was worth it to me to spend a little more to get better selection and better service. Granted, it’s not expensive, just not the cheapest option.*
When I got to germany and saw that there was NO chobabi yogurt, I was outraged. Every single time I went shopping, I asked to speak to the store manager or supervisor and would ask for them to get Chobani. No joke. Every. SINGLE. TIME. Chobani yogurt finally made its appearance months later. I like to think it was my doing, but I was told that if you want something that they don’t carry, just keep asking and get everyone you know to ask for the same thing
Great tip! I’m good at complaining, so that should be pretty easy for me!
I was impressed by some of the things they carry (quinoa, kale, veggie burgers) and surprised by some things they don’t have (no vegetarian frozen lasagna, no hummus, no yogurt.)*
UghhH!! I can totally relate to this post! When we first moved to Benning I was dying because I could not find brie cheese to save my life. I hadn’t explored the surrounding areas yet to find out that there were other grocery stores a ways away.
I did all of my main shopping at the Commissary in GA and honestly still do now but manage to get irked a lot. I agree that their organization system is WHACK! And they do not carry a lot of options, but it’s cheap. I feel like I saved us so much money by shopping there and finally got used to the limited options. We walk into a wal-mart now and I’m just standing there in awe….so.many.cereal.options…. Ahhh!!! LOL!!
Silly question…but are there no germany grocery stores close by? I know when I lived in Italy I would hit up the local grocery store which was an adventures in itself. Half of the stuff was labeled in a way that I didn’t quite know what I was buying, but it was kind of a fun experience.
One of the big money savers when it comes to the commissary is the fact that they take tons of coupons. I’ve never done any couponing, but I know that I should!
I have yet to shop at any of the stores around here that are off post. Some wives swear by them and others have sworn them off. Mostly, I’m just too lazy.*
I am also very picky about my grocery stores. When we lived in at our old apartment, I always shopped at Kroger. Now I shop at Tom Thumb or Central Market. I don’t think I could ever go back to stinky Kroger after I’ve lived 2 minutes away from Central Market. And I’ve never been to Market Street before, but you have me curious!
Also, I’m glad you got your yogurt!! I was going to suggest that you could sub the yogurt for vanilla ice cream if you were ever in a pinch
My feelings exactly towards Kroger! It’s okay in an emergency, but once they built that Market Street on Bethany, I did 99% of my shopping there.
Ice cream in a smoothie! Now you are speaking my language!*
This reminds me of The Happiness Project, the book I’m reading right now for my book club. You just don’t realize how much one seemingly little thing (yogurt, selection, an easy shopping experience X times a week) actually impacts you. Sounds silly but it’s totally not. I’m glad Stephen came through like a champ.
My local grocery stores are all mediocre; they generally have what we need/want and if not, the local farmers market will. I wish we had a kick-ass store nearby though. A Trader Joe’s would be swell too
I don’t think I’m asking too much!
Apparently they just built a Trader Joe’s not far from where I used to live in Texas. So I missed it. Boo! But my mom went and said she thought it was pretty similar to Sprout’s. I haven’t been to Sprout’s or TJ’s, so I have no opinion on the matter.
I’m pretty sure I’ve seen that book at Target before. I hope you’ll post about it on your blog when you finish reading it. I’d love to hear more!*
Never heard of Sprouts. I’d be happy with either!
I guess I should start taking better notes on the book
As much as I hate and complain about the commissary and it’s lack of selection and inconsistency… whenever I do venture to a real grocery store and see my bill (like, yeah, $11 for a tiny thing of chicken)… I realize how lucky we are actually are. While I would obviously prefer to be rich enough to shop at Whole Foods all the time (or even have a Whole Foods closer than 4 hours away)… I’m a cheap couponer at heart and I am totally one to settle for vanilla yogurt to save a few pennies.
Also… I don’t know if it’s the same overseas, but here they claim that if you request a certain item, they will order it for you… never tried it, but couldn’t hurt!
You are right, it couldn’t hurt to ask!*
I can’t believe they didn’t have plain yogurt. The commissary here at Fort Drum is pretty good. I definitely miss Fresh Market in Columbus, GA. I used to shop at Whole Foods while I was in grad school and nothing else will ever compare. I will second the fact that they commissaries are generally really good about stocking something if enough people ask for it.
Whole Foods is the shizz. It’s size and selection are a little too intimidating to me for everyday shopping, but it’s a great spot to go for lunch or specialty items.*
I bet if you ventured out to the grocery stores you’d be able to find plain Greek Yogurt. Though that would probably mean paying higher prices. I understand how you feel without your selection. Basically all we have are HEBs. I miss real grocery stores.
If I get really desperate or curious, I might check out some of the stores off post. I wouldn’t mind paying a little extra for just one or two special items. I’m more turned off by the hassle of making an extra trip out. But I guess I can’t have everything my way, so I should just suck it up!*
I can’t believe they don’t have plain yogurt…and hummus? That is unthinkable, as I sit here enjoying my Sweet Roasted Red Pepper Hummus for lunch! (I can’t eat it now without thinking about you! I love Market Street, but I always buy groceries at Wal-mart b/c it is so much cheaper. I spend way more at Kroger and Target; I can’t imagine the chunk of change I would drop if I let myself go to Market Street. Walmart is an ordeal, but the ones here are nothing like the ones back home…oh.my.word…they will push you over the edge! At least people here don’t (usually) shuffle down the middle of the aisle at a snail’s pace with 14 children in tow, so you have no chance of getting around them!
You’re so right, though, about the little things really getting to you. Our first night in Salzburg, we got in late and managed to find a convenience store open near our hotel. We rummaged around trying to find something for supper, and since we don’t know two words of German between us, it was quite interesting what we had once we got back to the room and opened up our “supper”!
I used to eat hummus every single day as part of my lunch. (I should have bought stock in Sabra!) It was my lunchtime signature, for sure. I’m obviously hurting without it. The homemade stuff just doesn’t compare.
Wal-Mart scares me for that very reason! Every time I’d drive down 75 past the one on Spring Creek, I’d cringe out how full the parking lot was. (Doesn’t matter the day or time, it’s always packed!) That one scared me away from spending any time in the Allen Wal-Marts. I can’t handle it!*
I don’t have a special go-to store. I’m shopping where it’s practical, always considering that I have to carry everything I buy home – no car. But there is one huge Edeka and it seems as if you could buy ANYTHING there. I love this store, but Edeka is not the cheapest grocer in Germany and I have to take the bike to go there, it’s to far away for walking.
Having to carry your groceries gives you a whole ‘nother set of needs to operate within. I’m guessing you have to be more organized then I am and possibly make multiple trips per week.
I’ve seen Edeka’s in a few locations, but I’ve yet to go in. Hearing that they have everything makes me curious to check it out!*
Oh yes, I don’t make big shopping trips like once a week, I usually go a few times.
There are different kinds of Edekas around here. You have smaller ones that don’t carry that much and then you have huge ones – they’re often called E-centers. That’s the ones you should have a look at if you get the chance.
I went to Market Street on Sunday to pick up dinner (ready to go Salmon, Vegetable Orzo & Roasted Vegetables – 3 meals for $13.00) and I thought of you. Kroger is my ‘go to’ grocery store even though there are lots of other options. I know where everything is so I can make my list according to the way the store is organized – I get in and out lots faster. Last summer when they re-did ‘my’ Kroger it took me forever to find stuff! When I want something special I love, love, love Central Market! They have so many choices, their stuff is very fresh & their help is always helpful. Next time I go I will have to take your idea & let the Manager know how good they are.
That’s how I organize my list, too! I used to make my list by meal (breakfast items first, then lunch, then dinner, and staples last). But now every list starts with produce and ends with frozen foods. Adjusting to a new store (or when your regular store re-organizes) it really messes with the list-making!*
My grocery store is Meijer, so the best part is…it’s practically across the street. I miss Trader Joe’s, but I never have time to get down there anymore. I’m glad you got your yogurt and at least you will probably have more options in May!
I lived in Michigan for a few years as a kid, and we once went on a field trip to Meijer! Might sound lame, but I loved getting to go into the back and see the “secret side.”*
I am such a creature of habit that this would send me right over the edge. No hummus? AGH!