When you shop zero waste, your options shrink pretty quickly. Even in my hometown of St. Louis where there are dozens of different grocery stores to choose from, most don’t offer bulk bins or even produce without plastic packaging. For me, I only have two one-stop options:
- Lucky’s Market
- The Soulard Farmer’s Market (which I plan to write about soon)
What about Whole Foods?
No need to beat around the bush here: I hate Whole Foods. Their food–particularly their bulk bin food–is overpriced, their staff and patrons are snotty, and their rules deter zero waste shopping. I only go there when I can only find an item I absolutely need at their store. And I live right next door to one. I am truly sorry if Whole Foods is your only option for zero waste shopping.
Moving on…
Lucky’s Market is the zero waste shopper’s dream.
There are so many reasons to fall in love with a place, but if you’re looking for a zero waste store to throw your full capitalistic weight/support into, I suggest looking for these perks:
Bulk Bin Variety
As I’ve said, there are bulk bins in some mainstream grocery stores around St. Louis. However, even these are usually limited to:
- Trail mix combos
- Oats
- Chocolate covered something
- Coffee (maybe)
- 1 type of flour
When you’re making 99% of your meals from scratch, that selection just doesn’t cut it.
Lucky’s, on the other hand, devotes an entire third of their store to bulk bins. Their spice selection alone has more bulk containers than most grocery stores. They have 5 (or more?) types of flour and an entire aisle dedicated to bulk coffee beans. They even have zero waste liquid groceries like extra virgin olive oil and honey.
Since shopping at Lucky’s, the only ingredients I’ve had to buy with packaging are vinegar, coconut oil, and baking powder, and all three of those can be found plastic-free.
Local Produce & Produce with Minimal Packaging
There’s nothing more maddening than vegetables and fruits packaged in plastic…except when stores don’t even offer a no-packaging alternative.
In my experience, Lucky’s always carries both (albeit their no-plastic produce comes with a little non-recyclable rubber band that I keep for office supplies). However, I don’t mind that they package some of their produce. I’m sure it’s a way to prolong freshness and drive down the price of nutritious food for those who can’t afford the plastic-free option.
And of course local produce is always preferable to a zero waster, so Lucky’s also gets points for that. Less gas and energy is spent shipping food when you get it nearby. Math!
Kickass (a.k.a. “Patient” & “Helpful”) Staff Members
People who work at Lucky’s know where everything is. (Pssst…That should be a given at an grocery store. If it’s not, you’re definitely shopping in the wrong place.)
But ideally, people who work at grocery stores shouldn’t make a big deal about zero waste clientele. We know how annoying we are without having to deal with sighs and eye rolls.
Whenever I go to through checkout line at Lucky’s with my barcode-less bags and jars full of product, the employees are always patient as I list off 4 digit product codes and tare weights. They wave off my apologies for being high maintenance, hand me my change, and send me on my way.
That alone would be enough for me, but there are some Lucky’s people who go above and beyond the call of duty. Like the one time the honey tap was clogged and one of the Lucky’s team members took the container to the back, cleaned it, and brought it out again so I could get my three cups of honey.
Awesome, awesome people.
They Literally Reward You for Shopping Zero Waste
“Would you like to save or donate today?” Lucky’s gives you 5 cents for every bag you bring. At this point in time, I feel like I’m hemorrhaging money, so I usually opt to save wherever I can. But as soon as I get all my reusable stuff in order, I plan on donating to one of their causes.
What’s that? One of their causes? That’s right. As you leave the store, you can put your five cent piece into the bin of one of their four charity options. They cover everything from pet adoption to cancer research. You can learn more about the impact of “Lucky’s Community Project” here.
Cue the “I’m a Good Person” Anthem:
Sip & Stroll: The Affordable Zero Waste Drinking Experience
My appreciation for alcohol is not a secret. I’ve been a one-drink-a-day lady since my six month stint in London when I realized I could legally drink at 20. The problem is unless you live next to a winery like the fabulous Bea Johnson (give me a moment while I fume with envy) or can regularly drink a growler of beer before it goes flat (within 36 hours), alcohol is difficult to purchase without a massive amount of packaging.
Sure, you could order a cocktail at a bar and try to ask them for no straw or coaster or umbrella without sounding like a stuck up princess and then hope they actually listen to you and bring you a zero waste drink, then shell out $15+ before realizing your glass is 99% juice or tonic water and 1% actual alcohol.
Or you could go to Lucky’s and order a pint of locally brewed beer for…
(wait for it…)
ONLY $2.00
Of course, I usually opt for their $4 glasses of wine instead, but still. They even give you nifty little holders to attach to your cart!
I’m sure the reason they’re able to afford selling alcohol so cheaply is due to some algorithmic proof t
hat drunk people spend more money at your store. Also (if they’re not terrible people), customers spend a lo
nger time in your store while they sober up enough to drive home.
I like to think of it as a mutual symbiotic relationship. Plus, cheap booze is a great way to trick your friends into going grocery shopping with you.
How to Find Your Lucky’s
Disclaimer: Like any self help article about true love, my advice will be flawed.
My friends and I refer to Lucky’s as the happiest place on Earth, so there’s a chance you won’t be able to find an exact replica if you don’t live in St. Louis or a city with a Lucky’s branch. But if you’re set on leaving Whole Foods by the wayside, there’s still hope!
Talk to People About Where They Buy Their Groceries
It’s probably not going to come up naturally, so dive right into a just-so-slightly-less-than-awkward conversation about your neighbors’ or co-workers’ buying habits. I heard about Lucky’s from my carpooling buddy long before I’d ever heard of the Zero Waste Movement. It stuck in my brain long enough for me to check it out, and the rest is history.
Follow Foodies in Your Hometown
They know where the good stuff is. And if they don’t, you’re now entitled to viciously troll them as posers. I use Instagram and an array of local food magazines like Sauce. Then just trial and error your way through your options til you find The One.