All of my recent reviews talk about my weird food allergies. Prior to Harvest Market existing I drove to Chicago for a lot of my shopping to go to Whole Foods and Trader Joe's. Strawberry Fields and the Urbana Co-op either didn't have what I needed or was so expensive that I didn't bother.
Otherwise I would have to go to County Market, Meijer, and Schnucks to try and get all of my food. It's nice to be able to get it all in one store. I've heard complaints that Harvest Market is too expensive but here's some comparisons:
1. Free range eggs: Local Illinois at Harvest Market start at $2.99 a dozen. "Local" St. Louis eggs at Meijer and Schnucks start at $3.29.
2. Grind your own peanut butter and almond butter. No other grocery stores other than the Co-Op have this. It's way cheaper at Harvest.
3. All the bulk food is cheaper than anywhere else.
4. Canned tuna. I have to have unsalted canned tuna and this place has it and the most reasonable prices.
5. Alcohol free extracts. Finally I can have flavored food without anaphylactic shock from the alcohol at a good price!
6. Flowers. Seriously these flowers and plants are gorgeous.
7. Fish. They have the most variety of wild caught fish without the added salt and preservation.
My only request is to lower the GT's kombucha prices. Way cheaper in Chicago and Schnucks.