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10 ways to save money at Whole Foods

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By Terence Loose/GOBankingRates

Earlier this year, the co-CEOs of Whole Foods Market apologized for mistakenly overcharging customers on some of their packaged products, confirming what many already believed: Whole Foods has great products, but they can be pricey. But don't give up the Whole Foods dream just yet -- there are ways to save at the popular market.

We enlisted savings expert Teri Gault, author of "Shop Smart, Save More" and CEO of TheGroceryGame.com, to share her tips on how to save at Whole Foods and find the best deals.

Click ahead for a look at 10 ways to save at the grocery chain.


This article, 10 ways to save money at Whole Foods, was originally published on GOBankingRates.com.

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​1. Shop in season throughout the store

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Any shopper knows that buying produce -- like blueberries, strawberries or squash -- out of season is going to cost you. But Gault said that center-of-the-store items go on sale according to the seasons, too.

"For instance, you'll find more soups and canned food sales heading into winter, and more sales on BBQ sauces, condiments and salad dressings through summer," she said. And since many of these items have a long shelf life, she recommended stocking up.

Also, remember that even some foods that seem perishable can last longer than you might think. "Sour cream is good for up to two months, cream cheese up to six months and so on," said Gault. "Check the tiny date on the package, and if it's on sale, stock up accordingly."

​2. Opt for frozen foods

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Frozen fruits and vegetables are often seen as second-class to fresh. But the truth is, many studies have shown that frozen fruits and veggies are actually higher in vitamins and antioxidants. And, said Gault, at Whole Foods, they are often lower in price. If you use frozen foods for the correct purpose, you could save money without sacrificing taste.

"Frozen fruit is fine in smoothies or when cooked into a sauce or pie," said Gault. "Frozen vegetables are best when cooked into soups, quiches, omelets or other dishes. Frozen meat or fish may cost less or even be on sale when the fresh version is not." Pretty cool.

​3. Use organic coupons

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You might think that just because foods are from smaller or all-organic brands, they don't offer coupons. Not true, said Gault. "Coupons are no longer just for junk food," she said. "Food marketing folks know that the trend has gone more toward healthier food choices, so that's why we're seeing more healthy and organic food manufacturer coupons every year."

But often you'll have to go directly to the manufacturer's websites or social media sites to find Whole Foods coupons, said Gault. "These coupons are key to viable savings, but they come and go as there are overall print limits as well as individual consumer print limits," she explained. "You may find that some make you jump through too many hoops to print a $1 coupon, so just don't go back there." But, others might pay off with several dollars off -- check your favorite brands often.

​4. Visit Whole Foods online

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In addition to learning about chain-wide programs and sales from the Whole Foods Market website, there's a user-friendly tool that allows you to find Whole Foods deals, sales and printable coupons redeemable at your local store. Just click on the "On Sale" tab on the website's homepage, then use the menu to choose your store. The savings can be significant.

​5. Grab the scooper

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If you enjoy anything from nuts and trail mix to quinoa, grains or even coffee, Whole Foods' bulk bins are a great chance to save money. For instance, in her post for the 100 Days of Real Food blog, Kiran Dodeja Smith found that the savings on bulk bin items routinely topped 20 percent compared with the packaged equivalents.

Also, Smith pointed out, buying in bulk can result in less waste since you can get only the amount you will use.

​6. Go non-organic

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Let's face it, we'd all buy everything organic right down to our car tires if we could. But we can't, and choosing a few items where non-organic is perfectly safe could save you some cash, said Gault.

According to the Environmental Working Group, there are 12 fruits and vegetables -- known as the "Dirty Dozen" -- you should always buy organic because their non-organic versions tested positive for different pesticide residues and showed higher concentrations of pesticides than other produce items. There's also a "Clean 15," which are safe to consume in the non-organic version.

​7. Buy the 365 brand

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Like many other grocery store chains, Whole Foods Market has its own brand called "365," and it offers a great chance to save money, said Gault. Even when the 365 brand is not on sale, it often still beats the prices of the same item of a top brand. "When the 365 brand is on sale for something you like, 'invest' by stocking up," Gault suggested.

​8. Stay on the case

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If you're buying drinks for the kids' soccer game or wine for the office party -- or you just know you'll use a lot of a non-perishable item -- you can save some cash buying by the case. "If you buy a case, ask for a discount," said Gault. "Whole Foods discounts 10 percent off on a case of most anything."

A few details, however: Make sure you let the cashier know since the discount must be put in manually. And, look into your particular Whole Foods store's "like" policy. For instance, some Whole Foods allow you to combine like flavors and still get the discount. Some do not.

​9. Stack Whole Foods coupons

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You might not think of Whole Foods as an extreme couponing hot spot, but many stores allow you to stack Whole Foods coupons, said Gault -- and that can make for some big savings. Coupon options include those found in the in-store "Whole Deal" booklet at the entrance, printable coupons at the Whole Foods website and any manufacturer coupons you might find.

Gault said that often not only can you combine a Whole Foods coupon with a manufacturer coupon, but you can do it for an item that's on sale. Again, you'll want to check with the manager of your store first.

​10. Stay connected

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Yep, like the rest of the world, Whole Foods Market wants you to "Like" them, follow them and give them your email address. And it might just pay to go along. For instance, if you sign up for their e-newsletter (via email), you might get a bunch of recipes and tips you immediately trash -- but you'll also get a heads up on sales and deals.

Another digital venue worth logging into is checking your local Whole Foods Market's Facebook page. Often there are Whole Foods deals there. Finally, Facebook pays off in a practical way.

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