Understanding Expiration Dates

If you buy from a salvage grocery store, understanding expiration dates emerges as a real issue. In this blog, I discuss the pros and cons of buying salvage groceries, and explain the purpose of expiration dates. I am convinced the salvage-grocery-store is a valuable resource if you want to cut spending, but for many shoppers, the biggest hurdle remains the expiration date issue.

In addition, salvage grocery offers many upscale brands and products at low prices too, so low, everything in the store looks tempting. Along with understanding expiration dates, appreciate the price strategy at a salvage store because many of the discounts are deep and the price reflects the condition of the packaging and the expiration date. 

Amazing Prices and understanding expiration dates!

It’s hard not to be overwhelmed when prices are truly amazing. Everyone in the neighborhood enters the store on a Saturday afternoon and stocks up the pantry.  

Damaged goods include dented cans and bruised or bent boxes. The expiration date confuse many consumers. 

The salvage grocer would say that the date issue is the difference between the “Use by” date and “Best by” date.

“Use by” is the more pressing label. “Best by” dates are generally more flexible.

Most people know what the expiration date on food looks like. Everything you buy in the grocery store carries expiration dates, but have you looked closely at the label wording?

The expiration date often influences the price.

Understanding Expiration Dates: What is the difference?

 As a rule, “Use By” refers to the date meats and dairy liquids should be consumed. Considering refrigerated or frozen food, this expiration date holds up until the food thaws out. it may not last long in the fridge and consuming it or freezing it is the best idea.

The grocer will put up a sign explaining the store’s philosophy, and you can ask employees what their sensibility is to the expiration dates.

The “Best By” label refers to dry goods, meaning the food gets a little dull by the expiration date, but otherwise, the taste remains the same.

Does Buyer beware apply here? It sounds like a laugher, but your purchase will work out if you’re cautious.

Shopping Salvage Grocery Stores

Pros:

1. Rock-bottom pricing
2. Brand name and boutique food items

Some boutique-style foods found in upscale stores and co-ops appear in salvage stores at a much-reduced price. For instance, a bag of Smore marshmallows priced at just under $4 at a big-box store will go for a buck apiece at a salvage grocery.  Brand name breakfast cereal emerge in the $1 -$3 range for a standard box.

Buy gourmet popcorn for a buck, a bag of 30 PC high-end chocolates for $2, or an expensive brand of olive oil for $8.

In fact, you can find hand-crafted, brand-name ice cream for half-price or three-for-$10 deals. Trendy brand names that advertise as organic or smart can be found at excellent prices. 

Cons:

1. The storage time for your food is reduced. A granola cake mix kit with a week on the “best by” date can taste great. A week later, it’s dull by comparison. Check out the expiration date on stuff in your cupboard, and you may discover that you already stock expired food in your pantry. Sort of like in the commercial when the nosey Aunt comes to visit and digs through the fridge.
2. If you usually shop with a lengthy shopping list, you won’t find everything on it, but that’s true of many discount stores. 
3. Stuff settles, so non-dry food mixes might need a violent shake to wake it up. A quart of almond milk might need real shaking to get whatever, re-established maybe.  
4. Some “best used by” vs. “use by” can be confusing. You’ll find a quart of refrigerated oat milk with a “best if use by” because there’s no dairy product to spoil. 
5. If the salvage store doesn’t believe they have to discount an item, they sell it at an undiscounted price, so price-savvy consumers will survive better than shoppers who don’t know prices. Indeed, the store could charge the same price as an expensive grocery store.
6. Check out the “no label” items. The label may have fallen off and that’s the reason for the discount. I’ve found $8 frozen pizza selling for $2!

If you do buy “use by” food, the sooner you consume it, the better. The “best by” food is better if consumed quickly too. So, it’s not a place to stock up for a month unless you are freezing the food.

There’s also bulk food available to consumers that is normally sold to restaurants, so don’t grow confused by large box offerings of food.

Does Your Community Have a Salvage Grocery Store?

So how do you find a salvage grocery store in your community? Google “Salvage grocery stores” or “expired food stores” and see what comes up. You may find a half dozen within driving distance in a large city.  

This blog was originally published in 2021, and has been slightly edited.

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