Aisles lined with loaves of fresh bread, bags of salty potato chips, containers of bright red strawberries and rows of ripe apples abound in grocery stores. Choosing what stays in the cart and goes back on the shelf can be a difficult task, but leaving empty-handed from the grocery store is never an option.
With a plethora of grocery stores around Athens, locals and Bobcats do not have to travel far to find a store that satisfies their cravings. From Walmart, Kroger and ALDI, to the multiple local markets, fresh produce can be purchased; however, it is important for both locals and students to identify the source of their produce to ensure it is in clean and safe condition.
According to The National Grocers Association, independent grocery stores have several benefits, including a wider selection of locally sourced foods in comparison to larger corporations. Not only do local grocers provide those with food restrictions and intolerances more organic options, but economic research has shown they are “strongly associated” with “greater economic well-being” and “employment growth.”
Luckily for Athens residents, there are several local markets with delicious and organic produce. Kindred Market and Cafe is an “enlightened” grocery store fostering an enthusiasm for locally grown foods and the well-being of consumers and Athens locals. Opening in 2019, Kindred is home to over 2,000 foods and drinks, more than 25 local artists and 10,000 plus customers.
Riley Kinnard, one of the owners of Kindred, is an Ohio University alumna who was born and raised in Athens. Kinnard said she was inspired to live a nutritious and healthy lifestyle after moving to San Diego. Upon her return to Athens years later, she was interested in opening a family-owned grocery store.
“We are providing people with the option to use their dollars to support businesses that care about the nutritional value of their products, that care about the employees that make the products (and) care about the environmental impact on the planet,” Kinnard said.
The people who make the market possible care a lot about carbon footprints and donates food waste to feed the rabbits at the Athens Humane Society, according to Kinnard.
“It is a way to exist in a capitalist society while still contributing to the greater good,” Kinnard said.
Kindred’s produce is sourced from local farms, including OU’s student farm, Blaney Family Farms in Albany and Fannin Family Farms in Nelsonville.
Sofie Wuertemberger, a junior studying environmental science and sustainability, is a produce specialist at Kindred and said people often have a misconception that local stores are more expensive, but Kindred’s prices are fair and sometimes cheaper in comparison to competitors.
“I would say there is usually a 50 (cent) to dollar increase,” Wuertemberger said. “It is a health food store, (but) that does not mean that it has to be completely out of price range or out of reach, especially for college kids.”
Wuertemberger said every Thursday, Kindred offers a 10% discount to students who have a loyalty account, and her favorite Kindred foods include gluten-free mozzarella sticks and cosmic crisp apples.
In addition to Kindred, other local businesses strive to offer a variety of affordable foods for students without access to a meal plan.
Andy Colwell, a junior studying engineering, technology and management, lives off-campus and grocery shops each week. Colwell said they like Family Dollar and Seamen’s Cardinal SuperMarket due to the covenant location and deals.
“Most of my grocery trips are $30,” Colwell said. “I know that both Family Dollar and Seamens have pretty cheap options and Family Dollar has a lot of sales … I got three bags of chips for six dollars.”
It is evident Athen’s local markets provide fresh ingredients with nutritional value; however, some Bobcats prefer to purchase groceries from nationwide industries.
Paige Buckle, a junior studying exercise physiology, works at the Kroger in Centerville, Ohio, and chooses to purchase her meat and dairy products from the store because of the employee discount.
The Kroger Corporation’s motto is “to feed the human spirit” through their Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation, which attempts to eradicate world hunger and food waste. However, Buckle said she believes Kroger still has room for improvement in some areas.
“I know they stay very busy so it is difficult, but sometimes there is a lot of older or not as fresh produce on the floor that I think could be cycled out more frequently,” Buckle said.
Buckle said her friends prefer to shop at ALDI because she spends between $100-150 every other week on groceries.
“ALDI is typically much cheaper than Kroger for certain items,” Buckle said. “They offer similar products just for a lower price.”
ALDI was created with “savings in mind” and encourages customers to bring their own bags for an efficient checkout and cleaner environment. In comparison to Kroger, ALDI’s 16 oz. classic chicken salad is $5.85 while Kroger’s 12 oz. chicken salad is $6.49. Additionally, the store is packed with more than “90% of ALDI-exclusive brands,” including dupes for Life and Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereals that are 70 cents to a dollar less than Kroger’s options.
Although larger corporations have a variety of fresh options, Kinnard said it is important to support small businesses to preserve Athens' history.
“This community of Athens is pretty special and … local, independently owned businesses really help define the essence of cities and towns,” Kinnard said. “If we all chose to shop at big box stores, then ultimately that is all we would have.”
