December 21, 2002
The Habit

In the past few years I've almost come to dread the annual weekend food shopping trip (make the list, get in the car, schlep to the grocery, etc.). But I do it anyway, because what's the alternative?

Despite the monotony, convenience and habit perpetuate these patterns. In the last year, however, we've moved to a neighborhood with more small groceries and specialty shops and it's easier to imagine changing the habit. Frankly, dumping the car/megastore/corporate food ritual is one part of the American experience I'd like to do without.

This site could just be the inspiration for doing that.

The idea, its creator explains, is to spend the next [while] not shopping at corporate grocery stores, living instead on food purchased at neighborhood places. i figure this way i'll save money, explore chicago's independent food sellers, eat better(?) or at least, more interesting food, and i won't be supporting the man.

It includes reports on the writer's interesting and usually thrifty experiences at small grocers in Chicago, a list of stores, recipes, photos (!) and a useful aggregate of links on nontraditional shopping.

Posted at December 21, 2002 08:31 AM
Comments

if one takes the long view, what could be more traditional than shopping on foot alone?

Posted by: mike on December 21, 2002 01:46 PM
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