6 Foods That Cost Much Less When You Buy Them Somewhere Other Than the Grocery Store

Small bowls containing green lentils, white rice, buckwheat, and sunflower seeds are arranged on a flat surface. Sourcing dry pantry staples from international markets or bulk food retailers yields significantly lower per-pound costs compared to conventional retail grocery shelves.

Grocery stores make it easy to pick up everything on one shopping trip, but convenience can come at a cost. Some everyday foods may be cheaper at warehouse clubs, international markets, discount retailers, and other stores that shoppers don’t always associate with grocery savings.

The reason isn’t always a lower price on the shelf. Some retailers buy larger quantities, carry fewer brands, specialize in particular ingredients, or operate with lower overhead. Those differences can help shoppers spend less on familiar staples without changing what they eat. Here are six foods worth checking elsewhere before adding them to your regular grocery list.