The Best Time to Shop at the Supermarket

Conde Nast Digital Studio

Amy Ahlberg, SELF magazine

If you're like us, you've had a few frustrating trips to the grocery store. Like, have you ever popped in for a few quick purchases, only to find dauntingly long lines at the registers? Or maybe the shelves were nearly empty, or the produce was rotten and depressing-looking?

This got us wondering: When is the best time to go to the supermarket? We asked Stew Leonard Jr., president and CEO of the Stew Leonard's supermarket chain, for his insider tips.

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For the freshest food, get to know your store managers. Since shipment days for different items vary, you'll need to speak up, says Leonard. "In general, the best way to check is to ask the person in the area [where] you are shopping. When did the fish arrive? The meat? The chicken? When was the bread baked? When did the produce arrive?" Another tip for determining the freshness of baked goods or prepared foods: "Ask people if the product is made on site. It's fresher that way. Many stores will have a central commissary and have the food shipped to the stores."

For the cheapest food, scan the weekly circular for deals. You can check out the store's weekly specials online, or just pick up the store ad when you enter the store. (We've found great deals on our weekly staples, like organic milk or spinach, that way.) And Leonard sees specialty items move faster then, too: "When customers see items like lobster and filet mignon on sale, they fly off the shelves at a record pace. Our deals are emailed out to shoppers every Wednesday morning so that they can plan their weekly shopping trips."

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Avoid Saturday at all costs. Saturday is the busiest day of the week, says Leonard. "It's best to shop earlier in the week and during off-hours, such as early in the morning or late at night. Tip: This is especially true for holidays.

But if you're stuck shopping on Saturday, at least your grub will be fresh. Here's some consolation: If you are grocery shopping on a Saturday, the store will be well-stocked, says Leonard. "If you want it really fresh, the weekend has the highest turnover of fresh items." Stores are well-prepared for that Saturday onslaught of customers; for example, Leonard's bakers sell nearly double the amount of fresh-baked bread on a Saturday than they do on a Tuesday.