A well-planned grocery trip starts with checking what you already have, then organizing a list around meals and store sections. In the aisle, compare prices and nutrition labels; on the way home, keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat foods and get cold items home promptly.
Plan your list before you shop
- Check your supplies. Look through the refrigerator, freezer, and pantry so you can use what you have and avoid buying duplicates.
- Plan meals. Make a short plan for the meals you expect to prepare, then note the ingredients you need.
- Organize the list. Group items by store section or food group to make the trip easier to navigate.
- Compare choices. USDA MyPlate recommends comparing prices and nutrition labels as you shop. Check the label and price for the items you are considering rather than relying on packaging alone. USDA MyPlate’s budget guidance
Choose in-store shopping, pickup, or delivery
Pickup and delivery can both reduce the time spent walking through a store, but neither is universally cheaper or healthier. In a 2024 USDA Economic Research Service analysis of 2022 survey data, 19.3% of people age 15 and older who usually did at least some grocery shopping for their household had bought groceries online at least once in the previous month. Among those online grocery shoppers, 49.1% selected pickup and 48.7% selected home delivery; 40.5% cited time constraints as a reason for shopping online. These are findings about the survey period and population, not current rates for every location. USDA ERS report on online grocery shopping
For a practical choice, consider whether you can collect an order or need it brought to you, and whether saving time matters more than choosing items in person. The survey figures describe what respondents did in 2022; they do not establish that one method is better for your budget or diet.
Keep groceries safe in the cart
Separate raw meat, poultry, and seafood from produce and ready-to-eat foods while shopping. This reduces the chance that juices from raw animal foods will contaminate food that may be eaten without further cooking. USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service recommends keeping these items apart in the cart. USDA FSIS grocery shopping guidance
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Get cold groceries home promptly
Buy refrigerated and frozen foods near the end of the trip, then go directly home. If the trip home or other errands will delay refrigeration, use a cooler with ice or frozen gel packs to keep perishables cold. USDA FSIS includes these steps in its guidance for shopping and transporting food safely. USDA FSIS grocery shopping guidance
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Clean reusable grocery bags
Wash reusable grocery bags after every use with hot water and soap. USDA FSIS gives that advice to help prevent the spread of germs. USDA FSIS grocery shopping guidance
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