Whole Foods lets you nourish your household with wholesome products made in ways you can feel comfortable about.
And Amazon’s recent acquisition news hints that groceries could become much more affordable in the future.
For now, though, the store’s price tags still tempt you to cross the street to a discount grocer and ignore the provenance of your food.
So how have shoppers managed to afford Whole Foods all this time?
They’ve learned a few insider tricks.
Ways to Save Money at Whole Foods
There are plenty of small strategies to lower your Whole Foods bill — even without Amazon’s price reductions. You just need to know how to use them.
We gathered the top tips from people familiar with Whole Foods and from our own experience to help you spend less on the nutritious foods you want.
1. Purchase Discounted Gift Cards
Slash your spending on every trip by buying Whole Foods gift cards online in advance.
You can find them below face value on gift card resale sites like Raise.
Buy a card before your next grocery run, and you could shave about 2% off your total bill!
2. Use a Cash-Back App
While coupons often save you money on processed brands and packaged goods, rebate apps can help reduce costs on staples.
Each time you shop, photograph your receipt with a free cash-back app such as Ibotta to unlock offers on non-name-brand items like bread, fruit or milk.
If possible, check the app before you shop and plan purchases around the deals available at Whole Foods.
After you get home, upload your receipt and expect the funds to show up in your Ibotta account within 48 hours. You can redeem for gift cards or get a PayPal payout to transfer to your bank.
Sign up via this link and you’ll receive a complimentary $5 bonus.
3. Install the Whole Foods App
Download the Whole Foods app on iOS or Android to access free coupons and recipes.
You can also keep a shopping list inside the app and even place grocery orders for Instacart delivery.
Make sure to scan the app’s barcode at checkout so any relevant coupons are applied automatically.
4. Subscribe to the Email List
Many retailers send special offers and freebies when you provide your email address.
Enter your email and location to receive weekly Whole Foods coupons, recipe ideas and tips in your inbox.
5. Look for Manufacturer Coupons
In addition to store promos, search for manufacturer coupons for items on your shopping list.
These are great — and often stackable with in-store sales and Whole Foods coupons.
Here are 100 places to find free coupons for everything you need. If you’re ordering online to pick up in-store (see #21), here’s where to locate coupon codes.
Hunting for discounts on healthier options? Try these lesser-known sources for coupons on fresh produce.
6. Follow Your Local Store on Social Media
Retailers frequently release some of their best deals on social media before they’re widely publicized.
Keep tabs on Whole Foods offers by following your neighborhood location.
Pick your store here to find links to its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram profiles.
7. Shop on Whole Foods’ Sale Days
Saving at Whole Foods can be as simple as knowing the right days to shop.
Weekly sales typically begin on Wednesdays, so that’s when you’ll find the most bargains.
Whole Foods also features Friday One-Day Sales on select products. These are generally announced a few weeks beforehand — call your local store to learn what’s coming.
Watch for sales and organize your shopping list around them!
8. Bring Your Own Bags
Like many grocers, Whole Foods rewards shoppers who bring reusable bags by reducing the bag fee.
Bring several! Depending on the store, you’ll earn a 5- to 10-cent discount per bag, so come prepared.
9. Bring Your Own Containers
When buying from the bulk bins, you’re charged for the container’s weight along with the product.
The containers are light, but you can shave off a little more.
Bring a jar or plastic container, have staff tare (weigh) it before you fill, and you’ll pay only for the contents’ weight.
10. Compare Prices
Whole Foods’ 365 Everyday Value line is meant to be the budget-friendly option.
Watch for it, but compare prices with other brands to ensure you’re getting the best bargain.
11. Hunt for Unadvertised Markdowns
Not every discounted item appears in the flyer, so keep your eyes open for other savings opportunities at Whole Foods!
Look for yellow and red tags on the shelves, which signify clearance items. You can score significant savings on staples by stocking up when you spot a good price.
12. Sample Before You Buy
The store has a fairly generous sampling policy, according to a former Whole Foods employee.
To avoid waste, take advantage of “try before you buy” so you don’t purchase items you won’t enjoy.
Don’t hesitate to ask for samples of cheese, meats or chocolate.Staff can open packages for a taste and share remaining bits as samples with other shoppers.
13. Use a Whole Foods Punch Card
Punch card offers vary by location, so inquire at your store.
Some shops have cards for sandwiches, burritos, salads, sushi and coffee.
You may also find punch cards that give $10 off after spending $100 on 365 brand supplements.
Also watch for the Whole Foods Market Rewards pilot program in certain areas. It’s currently available in select stores around Philadelphia and Dallas/Fort Worth.
14. Buy in Bulk
You can purchase many packaged products by the case at Whole Foods and receive about 10% off.
The same applies to wine: Buy six bottles to save 10–20%.
Some locations discount bulk meat purchases when you buy over three pounds. Stock up and freeze your portions!
If a recipe calls for a small amount of a particular spice, grab it from the bulk bins instead of buying a whole jar you’ll rarely use.
15. Purchase Produce from the Salad Bar
If you only need small quantities of produce, check the salad bar before heading to the produce aisle.
You might find what you need for less, and you won’t worry about buying more than you’ll eat.
16. Pick Your Own Cheese Portions
You don’t have to buy the pre-packaged, pre-weighed cheeses.
For cheeses wrapped and labeled by Whole Foods, ask a staff member to cut and rewrap a smaller piece — you’ll save money and take only what you need.
17. Opt for Frozen Meats and Fish
Unless you live adjacent to the ocean, the seafood at most grocery stores was almost certainly frozen during transport.
Even when it’s thawed and sold as “fresh,” it’s typically been frozen — and costs more.Plan ahead and buy fish and meat frozen to save cash.
18. Return Glass Milk Jugs
Do you flinch at the price of organic, non-homogenized, grass-fed or specialty milks packaged in glass?
You may be overlooking big savings if you simply recycle the bottle.The price often includes a deposit for the jug — sometimes up to $3.
Save your jugs and return them on your next visit for a deposit refund. Think of it as $3 off your next milk purchase.
19. Use the Whole Foods Kids’ Club
It’s a little-known fact that many grocery chains offer a free treat for children.
When you shop with kids at Whole Foods, visit customer service for a Kids’ Club Coupon redeemable for a complimentary organic apple, fruit leather or a pack of natural animal crackers.
20. Shop Whole Foods Online
Even for groceries, we recommend shopping online because it lets you use cash-back portals and rack up rewards on your purchase.
Use Cashbackholic to see which cash-back site is offering the best rate. Then shop Whole Foods through that portal and pick up your order in-store to avoid shipping fees.
21. Hunt for Whole Foods Coupons Online
Before you go to your store, browse the Whole Foods website for coupons. They’re simple to find.
Visit WholeFoods.com/coupons, choose your location and discover current promotions and printable coupons.
22. Grab the Weekly Flyer
As you enter the store, pick up The Whole Deal, the weekly sales flyer. It’s loaded with advertised specials and manufacturer coupons, plus deals from the 365 brand.
You can also print the flyer yourself each week — download it here.
Alex Monroe is a senior staff writer at Savinly. He has contributed to multiple outlets and sprinkles a little humor into his work when the situation allows.
