Grocery prices in the downtown Toronto area...
...Are 3x higher than what they are in the boonies!!! Seriously! Pitas 3.49 a package, well I could have gotten them back home in the boonies for .99 a package! Chips were "on sale" 2 for $7. HOW IS THAT A SALE???? I'm not even going to begin to start on the so called "fresh produce" sections of the stores. Do people not actually buy veggies here in the city or what??? All the ones I looked at were ROTTEN or about half way there. I'm not paying 2.99 for something that is already rotting in the store. UGHHH!
Okay, so now with that rant out of the way and I feel slightly better (not), where can I get cheap and reasonably priced groceries in the downtown area on a student budget??? I would prefer to not eat everything prepackaged which it seems like the stores near me all cater to people who can't or are too lazy to cook. I mean I don't mind prepackaged convenience once in awhile (used my coupons and got Buitoni pizzas that were on sale today YUM), but I would really like some fresh and cheap produce to eat as well like fruits/veggies etc.
I already know there is no Walmart or No Frills close to me unfortunately (thanks to google maps). I'm near the waterfront area for reference. I've never actually gone grocery shopping here before since I just moved, so I really don't know the places to go for good deals. Would I be better off shopping at small stores or vendors at the market? How do you shop cheaply in the downtown area?