Shopping @ the Supermarket

Continuing with our "Shopping @ ______" series, we move from shopping at the feria to shopping at the supermarket. In Chile, supermarkets are modern and plentiful. We shop at the supermarket every two weeks or so. Here are some reasons why...

Supermarkets here in Chile are similar to a Super Walmart, Super Target, or Meijer, in that they have more than just food. You can buy electronics, clothing, household items, and more.

We buy our meat at the supermarket. While you can buy meat elsewhere, the supermarket is probably the safest place to buy meat. Above: The fish and seafood section

Know your cuts of meat in Spanish! This chart was helpful to us rookie missionaries!

One benefit for shopping @ the supermarket is that they have occasional discounts and promotions. Above: The Lider supermarket offer 6% off on your entire bill on Mondays (if you sign up for their savings card).

Chile has changed in many ways in the last 15 years (since Kristi left for college). One of the changes is that one can get a wider selection of food items in the supermarket. For example: It was harder to find peanut butter on the shelves in the past, but now it's more available (but you will pay more, since it is imported).

Above: One can always tell what's imported by the Spanish sticker that is slapped on the back of the item. Salad dressing, chocolate chips, and taco seasoning are just a few things that are imported.

Another thing that we are getting used to is that food items are packaged differently here in Chile. Tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, ketchup, mayonnaise, and jams come in large packets and not glass jars or cans.

Milk is packaged in small boxes (always remember...small refrigerators) and they do not need to be kept cool until they are opened.

Ice cream comes in long boxes and not in large plastic tubs like in the States.

Overall, the Chilean supermarket is a fun place to shop. The layout is very organized and the checkout lines are very efficient. All the Chilean checkout assistants sit instead of stand; one thing I would have liked in the States when I worked at the grocery store. There is always someone to bag your groceries and put it in your cart for you. The small catch is that you tip them according to the size of your order (mostly anywhere from $.50 to $1.00).

Since we are still without a vehicle, both Kristi and I go to the supermarket together, thanks to Jodie. Our nearest supermarket is about 6 blocks away. We take our little shopping cart with to carry the groceries home. While the cart is handy for walking, it limits how much we can buy since we have to carry everything home.
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I haven't forgotten about the Chilean bread store. It will be posted in the near future. I am still compiling the appropriate pictures for that post.