Food shopping.

Do you think so? I think there's more choice of packaged/processed items, but that's about it.

I agree.

I also think there is less of a focus on brand - most of the food that you see is going to be the store brand.

I shop based on what is available; I don't look for particular brands.

I suppose its what you get used too... when i visited San Diego for the first time and went into the shop to get some items i started packing the bags, i remember the distinct look on my girlfriends face like what do you think your doing.... i look and said what??? she said we dont pack our bags here someone does it for us... my mouth dropped and i couldnt believe it... but american supermarkets are superior to anything we have here

Its swings and roundabouts.
I was a cashier in the US and would only pack at customer request. Otherwise it was assumed they were packing for themselves. So, if you'd been in my line, your GFs jaw would have stayed dropped for a long time.

Also a lot of American supermarkets arent US owned. Safeway, Stop N Shop (Dutch!) and more are all owned by European companies. Even Tesco is there now.

I've found the opposite about farm shops.  All the ones in my area are terrible and not walkable, but in the US I had two great farmer's markets within walking distance.

But I lived in PA, so we had lots of farmers.

I agree. I only went to a few farmer's markets in the UK and I wasn't impressed with them. There were some weekend farmer's markets in Dublin and they were okay, but quite expensive. My sister lives in Lancaster, PA and my parents live in PA too and there are awesome farmer's markets and pick-your-own places around them. But you're right, there are lots of farmers there!    It's not quite as plentiful here in Baltimore, unfortunately. 

I think that nice supermarkets in the US are regional, my parents are on Long Island, and with the exception of Wholefoods & Fairway, the supermarkets are terrible...dark, dingy and just not as nice as the ones in the UK. They are getting better, but they are no Wegmans.

I think that nice supermarkets in the US are regional, my parents are on Long Island, and with the exception of Wholefoods & Fairway, the supermarkets are terrible...dark, dingy and just not as nice as the ones in the UK. They are getting better, but they are no Wegmans.

Pathmark & Walbaums are both VERY guilty of this...

Pathmark & Walbaums are both VERY guilty of this...

And Stop and Shop is also terrible!

I liked the Super Stop and Shop in Woonsocket, but it was a new building.  I'll bet that makes a difference.

I agree. I only went to a few farmer's markets in the UK and I wasn't impressed with them. There were some weekend farmer's markets in Dublin and they were okay, but quite expensive. My sister lives in Lancaster, PA and my parents live in PA too and there are awesome farmer's markets and pick-your-own places around them. But you're right, there are lots of farmers there!    It's not quite as plentiful here in Baltimore, unfortunately. 

The one closest to me, which only requires me to run across a four lane A road, has some potatoes, some fruit in season, eggs, some good local bacon and sausages and the rest is frozen fruit and pastries.  Along with cakes and pretzels.

I don't get it at all.

I don't get it at all.

You need to check out some other farm shops! Do you have a farmers' market anywhere near you?

There is the market in Cambridge, but it takes about 45 minutes to an hour (or longer depending on traffic ugh!) things don't last long on the bus, although it is better in winter.

But all the farm stores around here are dreadful.  My in-laws have a great one near them.  All the farm stores near here have those frozen fruits and pastries.  They are clearly all from the company, yet all the farm stores are independent.

You need to check out some other farm shops! Do you have a farmers' market anywhere near you?

I would have needed a car to get to any of the places around me in Bath. The only reason I went to a few was because I went with friends who had cars. There is a farmer's market in Bath on the weekends, but I think it's just on Saturday mornings and it would be heaving with people.

I think that nice supermarkets in the US are regional, my parents are on Long Island, and with the exception of Wholefoods & Fairway, the supermarkets are terrible...dark, dingy and just not as nice as the ones in the UK. They are getting better, but they are no Wegmans.

Fairway is the mecca of supermarkets everywhere, but it's also always crowded. And very easy to get very carried away in.

I agree. I only went to a few farmer's markets in the UK and I wasn't impressed with them. There were some weekend farmer's markets in Dublin and they were okay, but quite expensive. My sister lives in Lancaster, PA and my parents live in PA too and there are awesome farmer's markets and pick-your-own places around them. But you're right, there are lots of farmers there!    It's not quite as plentiful here in Baltimore, unfortunately. 

Have you looked to see if there are any local CSAs? Because the farmers have a pre-paid market for the season and guaranteed income, they are more willing to deliver to neighborhoods further away and you get a weekly delivery of fresh, seasonal, usually organic produce. I actually like it better than a farmer's market--it made me learn to cook and eat produce I wouldn't normally buy and in larger quantities than I might otherwise go through.

The Stop and Shop near my parents is MASSIVE.  And clean, and has a nice organic and vegetarian section.  I miss it. 

Having worked at Pathmark in the summer (cake decorating for the bakery, so fun!), I have to say it depends on the area.  Our pathmark was very clean.

And Stop and Shop is also terrible!

We have two stop n shops in my Dads area and both brand new. Sky lights and VERY bright with massive fresh food sections... I worked in an Edwards (which is now a SnS) during college (Northport) and it was an OLD store. VERY dark and tiny. I dont even think thats still open anymore....

Waldbaums and Pathmarks in our area VERY old, grungy and dark.

Shop Rite is back and always found them to be dark, but I think theyve built a few new stores across the area or taken over former Stop n Shop/Grand Union locations (which means those will be dark)

Fairway is the mecca of supermarkets everywhere, but it's also always crowded. And very easy to get very carried away in.

Have you looked to see if there are any local CSAs? Because the farmers have a pre-paid market for the season and guaranteed income, they are more willing to deliver to neighborhoods further away and you get a weekly delivery of fresh, seasonal, usually organic produce. I actually like it better than a farmer's market--it made me learn to cook and eat produce I wouldn't normally buy and in larger quantities than I might otherwise go through.

Sorry, just saw this! There is one that's finally started delivering to Baltimore (it used to just be DC). I'm trying to find out more info about it before committing, but we'll probably start ordering from there when we get jobs!