Shopping Amazon Fresh

Aug 17

Finding the perfect grocery store in Southern California’s Inland Empire can feel like a quest. After a lively NextDoor debate where neighbors championed everything from Costco to Aldi, I realized that the "best" store really depends on your priorities.

As a self-proclaimed "foodie adventurer" who balances convenience with a budget, here is my breakdown of the local landscape and my recent deep dive into the Amazon Fresh experience.

The Local Lineup: Where to Shop

Whole Foods: The gold standard for exotic produce, scratch-made bakery items, and organic finds—but expect the highest bill.
Sprouts, Aldi, & Trader Joe’s: My go-tos for the lowest prices. They are easy to navigate and offer great local, seasonal produce.
Local Chains: Best for variety and reliability. I use them via Instacart because they rarely run out of staples like whole chickens.

The New Kid on the Block: Amazon Fresh

Amazon is reinventing the grocery run. I visited a local branch to see if the "Dash Cart" lived up to the hype.

How it Works: You open the Amazon app on your smartphone, scan a QR code onto your cart, and start shopping. The cart scans barcodes and weighs produce as you go, displaying your running total in real-time. When finished, you walk across the "Dash Cart Line"—no lines, no conveyor belts, and no self-checkout kiosks.

The Pros

Budget Control: Seeing your total update live makes it incredibly easy to stay on track.
Incredible Deals: I found a salmon fillet marked down by 50% because it was near its "best by" date. My total bill was about $40 cheaper than it would have been at a traditional chain store. Your budget and costs may vary.
Freshness: Produce like asparagus and broccoli was pristine and often pre-packaged, meaning other shoppers hadn't handled it.
Efficiency: The store focuses on "most popular" items, making it quick to navigate. Plus, you get a Sephora-style beauty section for high-end toiletries.

The Cons

Selection: It’s not a one-stop shop for gourmands. I couldn't find Valencia rice for my paella and had to substitute. There is also no service seafood counter.
Tech Barrier: While they accept cash and have traditional lanes, the cart system might feel intimidating for those who aren't digitally savvy.
Physicality: The high-tech Dash Carts are significantly heavier than standard plastic or metal carts.

The Verdict

I’m a hybrid shopper—I love my farm stands and Trader Joe’s runs, but Amazon Fresh is a game-changer for a quick, mid-week budget haul. If you have one nearby, it’s worth the "adventure" just to skip the checkout line!

*The Amazon Fresh cart scans, weighs, and totals items while you shop.*

grocery shopping

Judy Doherty, MPS, PCII

Judy’s passion for cooking began with helping her grandmother make raisin oatmeal for breakfast. From there, she earned her first food service job at 15, was accepted to the world-famous Culinary Institute of America at 18 (where she graduated second in her class), and went on to the Fachschule Richemont in Switzerland, where she focused on pastry arts and baking. After a decade in food service for Hyatt Hotels, Judy launched Food and Health Communications to focus on flavor and health. She graduated with Summa Cum Laude distinction from Johnson and Wales University with a BS in Culinary Arts, holds a master’s degree in Food Business from the Culinary Institute of America, two art certificates from UC Berkeley Extension, and runs a food photography & motion studio where her love is creating fun recipes and content.

Judy received The Culinary Institute of America’s Pro Chef II certification, the American Culinary Federation Bronze Medal, Gold Medal, and ACF Chef of the Year. Her enthusiasm for eating nutritiously and deliciously leads her to constantly innovate and use the latest nutritional science and Dietary Guidelines to guide her creativity, from putting new twists on fajitas to adapting Italian brownies to include ingredients like toasted nuts and cooked honey. Judy’s publishing company, Food and Health Communications, is dedicated to her vision that everyone can make food that tastes as good as it is for you.