Where can you find discount groceries in the Modesto area? See what stores have the bargains
Clipping coupons, buying in bulk and scouring circulars are just some of the ways that budget-conscious shoppers try to save money on the weekly grocery bill. According to the Consumer Price Index, prices in February rose 1.9% for the cost of food at home and 3.7% for the cost of food outside the home when compared to the same month last year.
A recent Reddit post asked Modestans where to go for cheap groceries, and the overwhelming response was WinCo Foods.
Located on Plaza Parkway in the site of Modesto’s first Costco, WinCo is big, and big on discounts. No frills in design, the large store looks like a warehouse but is neatly organized and has large signs displaying the deals.
Comparison shoppers will appreciate some displays that show the WinCo price compared to other local retailers. The store also offers regular grocery departments including a deli, seafood counter, bakery and a hot foods section with rotisserie chickens and other items.
Unique offerings include a hot-pizza counter and a large bulk-bin section, which also can be a way to save by eliminating packaging.
For 30 years, WinCo has been employee-owned, offering an employee stock ownership plan, which it says helps keep prices low and stores tuned into their communities.
If you’re tracking egg prices, a dozen starts at just over $8.
WinCo is at 2200 Plaza Parkway and is open 24 hours.
Other stores Redditors mentioned were FoodMaxx and Food 4 Less, which have similar prices and aesthetics.
Grocery Bargain Outlets
Another popular store is Grocery Outlet. With over 400 stores across the country and seven in this region, Grocery Outlet calls itself “the nation’s largest extreme value retailer.”
According to its website, Grocery Outlet offers deeply discounted food due to “packaging changes, surplus inventory or product overruns.” That means the inventory is always changing and shoppers know that if they see an item they like, they better buy enough, because it is likely to be sold out for good once it is gone.
For people on special diets, Grocery Outlet is a treasure hunt of gluten-free, keto, vegan and sugar-free goods in its NOSH (natural, organic, specialty and healthy) section at prices 40% to 70% less than conventional grocery stores.
Though it’s a chain, Grocery Outlet locations are locally owned and operated and give back to the community by allowing store owners to choose causes to support.
To accommodate routine shopping trips, Grocery Outlets also stock staples including produce, meat and dairy products, often at prices slightly less than other grocery stores.
There are seven stores in our region: two in Modesto, two in Turlock and one each in Ceres, Patterson and Oakdale. At time of a visit, the Modesto store at 832 Oakdale Road was sold out of a dozen eggs but had an 18 count for $12.99.
Local salvage grocery stores
Similar to Grocery Outlet, there are a few locally owned food stores that shoppers swear by for surplus and nearly expired products.
“Great people, good prices,” says one commenter on Yelp, describing the experience at Modesto’s Groceries 4 Less! The unassuming store is packed with goods, many of the same items offered at Costco, Target and other big-box stores.
The store gets new items daily and the offerings change often, but shoppers regularly can find common items like cereal, canned goods, medicine, candy, snacks and drinks.
There is a small cold case and freezer section but the store does not have common sections like produce, a deli or bakery.
Comparing prices, nine items including spices, a homeopathic drink mix, a Tide Pen and gourmet pizza sauce totaled $18, which if purchased at a regular store would have cost over $50.
The staff was friendly and will help carry your groceries to the car. Groceries 4 Less! is at 1012 N. Carpenter Road.
Pop’s Bargain Outlet is another local salvage grocery store with a Turlock location and a smaller store in Ceres. Pop’s had items and prices similar to Groceries 4 Less! The Ceres store had singular items but also bulk buys typical of restaurant supply stores, like paper products and takeout containers.
According to Yelp, the Turlock store has a cold case and prepared food options. Pop’s Bargain Outlet is at 468 S. Center St. in Turlock and 1578 E. Whitmore Ave. in Ceres.
Where do you do your discount grocery shopping? Did we leave anything off the list? Drop a line to me at mfigueroa@modbee.com.
This story was originally published March 14, 2025 at 11:03 AM.
