Whether you have just come to Canada to study or have become an old student here, supermarket shopping and snack-hoarding has basically become a regular routine. Let’s take a look at the selection of Canadian supermarkets. After leaving the comfort and safety of our parents’ home, we are on our own.
Shoppers Drug Mart – A “Life-saving” Store
Those who have been in Canada for a long time will be quite familiar with Shoppers Drug Mart – the eye-catching red sign accompanied by bold white characters. It is not just a pharmacy. Although you can find many types of over-the-counter medicine, it is really "a wide-ranging grocery store!" Drinks, snacks, cosmetics, and daily electronics, postal services are all available.
Especially when you see the 24hr sign, it means that you can buy the batteries, charger cables, rubbing alcohol, or anything you might desperately need in the middle of the night (which also includes things we might secretly need, like sanitary pads, Plan B, pregnancy test sticks, etc. which can save you, or his/her "life.")
Although it is not the cheapest place for new shoppers in Canada, it is necessary to get a points card called the Optimum Card to redeem products and discounts. Although, we haven’t really used this card to redeem anything for seven or eight years, it is better than nothing.
Image source: Internet
No Frills "Cheap + Fresh"
We were curious as to what No Frills meant at first, and we found out that it meant that they "don't sell unnecessary goods." No Frills, which can be found everywhere in Canada, is a cheap supermarket specializing in food and groceries. Its price is even cheaper than Wal-Mart. The cheap price comes from its own brand of generic products, "No name." Its price is much lower than similar brand products.
Our first exposure to this supermarket was entirely due to the fact that we did not cook at all when we first came to Canada, and our home was always a mess. We hired a very good maid service to come to our house three times a week to cook and clean. Every time our maid came over, she would bring vegetables, fruits and meat from No Frills. The simple, yellow plastic bag had their "No Name" logo and name printed across the front. Our impression of No Frills is that they are “Fresh & Cheap.”
Image source: Internet
Sobeys -- "Pricy but worth it"
Sobey’s has always been known for their "organic" products, and their price is on the higher end. Looking at the interior decoration, it seems that there are many reasons for wanting and to shop there. For me, I have preferred Sobey’s since I started working. It has such a comfortable shopping environment that tends to make my mood better after the stress I gain from work. The freshly squeezed orange juice sold at Sobey’s on Spadina near the downtown highway exit is truly unforgettable. It is the absolute "high-end orange juice"!
Image source: Internet
WholeFood -- "Devoted to green and organic products"
WholeFood is known as the “Google” for green and organic food. Whatever kind of organic food you can think of, you can find it there. Its founder is also known as the "Bill Gates" of the green food industry. People who like to visit WholeFoods seem to have a kind of devotion to it. $10 for a bottle of freshly squeezed juice used to leave me speechless, but considering that all the ingredients and materials used are organic and environmentally-friendly, it is actually worth it.
Suitable for middle-class, young people who are love high-quality, modern life, because every visit like breath of fresh air – it gives you energy and motivation. You can see the large sign of “WholeFoods” at the Yonge/Sheppard intersection. The left hand looks like heaven, while the right hand side looks like earth...
Image source: Internet
Pusateri’s -- the “Yorkdale” of all supermarkets
Toronto's most expensive Pusateri’s (supermarket) sells a wide collection of fine fruits and vegetables, cooked foods and baked desserts. There are currently three locations in Toronto: one on Bayview Village, one at 1539 Avenue Rd and one at 57 Yorkville Ave. The high-end Pusateri’s can be seen as the “Yorkdale” of all supermarkets in Toronto.
Image source: Internet
Loblaws "A Canadian Local Supermarket"
Loblaws is Canada's largest food retailer, with more than 1,400 branches across Canada. There is a large variety of merchandise, from food to daily necessities. It can be commonly found in residential areas near the highway exits. There, you can also find rice, dumplings, buns, soy sauce, seasonings, etc. with many Chinese labels on the shelves of each aisle.
In some larger Loblaws locations, there are chefs who specialize in sliced salmon and provide freshly made sandwiches. Our personal favourites are their Portuguese egg tarts, cakes and desserts specially made by Loblaws. Those who have just arrived in Canada and are not too poor will not think their products are expensive.
Image source: Internet
Metro "Good cooked food"
The place where we live is not close to Metro. This large Canadian supermarket based in Quebec gives the impression that it can "satisfy the stomach of foodies." It is especially favoured by those who are truly "carnivorous animals." Steaks, grilled sausages, pork chops, etc. are absolutely hard to resist items. Students tend to go there frequently. The picture shown above shows a more realistic side to the supermarket.
Image source: Internet
Costco "Large portions, health supplements -- an overseas purchaser’s heaven"
Costco is the largest membership-only warehouse store in North America. Everyone loves to shop at Costco because things are cheaper in family-sizes. It is especially suitable for big, weekly shopping sprees for students who share a home with several other roommates. Costco's health care and food products have long been popular among overseas purchasers in Canada for their reasonable prices and guaranteed quality. Everytime we go to Costco before a meal, we cannot resist buying their grilled chicken. Hot dogs and poutine from the food court are also very popular.
Electronics, jewelry, clothing and other daily necessities can be found at wholesale prices. Special note: a membership card is required to enter the store! There are two types of memberships: for individuals and businesses. Paying for a membership is a good deal if you have a "large family." In addition, if you have a car, filling up your tank at Costco is also cheaper than at gas stations like Petro, Esso and Shell.
Image source: Internet
T&T -- "A Daily Chinese Preference"
Since we came to Canada, the most popular large-scale Chinese supermarket is T&T. They specialize in Asian food and is also very popular in Toronto. Chinese snacks, sauces and beverages can all be found there and the prices are not too expensive. Every week we spend over a hundred dollars on a shopping cart full of food, including meat, vegetables, fruits and snacks. Every Chinese New Year, there is also a unique festive atmosphere, which the launch of moon cakes, rice dumplings, and so on.
Image source: Internet
H Mart "Asiana Dragon"
A lot of young girls have a special preference towards Korean snacks, desserts, chocolate pies, powdered teas, and all kinds of candy... All of that can be found at H Mart. Of course, ramen noodles, which are always stocked up by hardworking students who stay at home all the time, are also popular. Our personal favourite is the spicy Cheese ramen!
From Yonge & Finch to Yonge&Sheppard, you can find a handful of Korean supermarkets, not all of which are H Mart, but with similar offerings. But because of their small size, the fruit they sell is not very fresh.
Image source: Internet
J Town
J Town, a Japanese supermarket that opened in June 1998, is located near the highway exit of Steeles & Woodbine near the Toyota dealership. Their shelves are full of beautiful products. The dessert cakes, such as tofu cheesecake, are very popular. Packaged meals like curry and rice are also popular. Their products range from oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, tea rice to beer, drinks and snacks, chopsticks, to all kinds of daily Japanese products.
Image source: Internet
In fact, there are many supermarkets in Canada, especially in Toronto, such as FoodyMart and Walmart, which are well known to the Chinese community that give off a down-to-earth feeling. The uncommon ones like IGA, Safeway, Fortinos, Valu-Mart, Super C, Foodland, etc., will not be described here.
