Shopping Green

Today I decided to check out a new grocery store, Green Fields Market. DH and I watched King Corn a few days ago and I have to admit that several of the messages the movie made still haunt me. I was determined to look for/buy grass-fed beef and sodas not sweetened with high fructose corn syrup at least for 1 week.

Pros:

• Clean/Open set up
• Small (great for folks who don't want to navigate through 40 aisles to buy milk)
• Friendly, Knowledgeable staff-Great service!!
  
• Great bin collection (coffee, grains, candy, etc)
  
• Great collection of organic, Texas/USA products
• Environmentally friendly from the lighting to the lack of plastic bags; there is a definite effort to be as Green as possible.
  

Cons:

• Location (its a bit far for me to make part of my normal routine; I'd go back if I were in the area though)
• Small (not much of a selection compared to the stores I normally shop, although I was able to take care of my grocery shopping for the week).
• I spent a bit more than I normally would for groceries for the week (It was worth it to check it out and support them, but not on a regular basis-which is my reality)
• As much as I loved seeing the huge barrels of coffee beans, is it good for them to be so exposed to the light, air and other peoples hands?
  

I wish:

• Bigger bakery area-more items
• More ready to eat/heat type items (deli-type area: sandwiches, salads, soups, entrees)
• Coffee/Beverage bar-I was really thirsty and would have bought something to drink
  

It was a positive experience but not one with my current lifestyle I'd make as my Go To grocery store. DH and I will definitely enjoy our grass-fed beef (including an Akaushi beef steak), organic fruits and veggies along with our sodas sans high fructose corn syrup. I will go back and spend more time checking out all the goodies in their bins though-perhaps over Thanksgiving or Christmas vacation!