I've managed to amuse and amaze my coworkers recently. In describing some part of my childhood I casually mentioned that we would drive five hours, one way, to the grocery store. "What!?"
Well, yes. Interior Alaska small town had a grocery store, a little one, and the prices were wild. I remember milk at $8 a gallon, and that's thirty years ago before the modern day inflation. We had goats, and if the goats dried up from milking, it was powdered milk or nothing. Powdered milk was bought in 50lb bags at the bulk store. We made that trip every 3-4 months. I'm still prone to stock up a deep pantry. Some habits just never go away, even though it's been years since I had more than a thirty minute drive to the grocery store.
One thing hasn't changed much until recently. Availability of exotic (to me!) ingredients and foods was nonexistent in Alaska that I recall, and pretty much the same in New Hampshire. I did, eventually, find an Asian market in Boston in Chinatown that was amazing and had so many things I had wanted to try, and woks big enough to cook for the whole family and... we got down there about once a year. Moving to Ohio, oddly enough, opened new vistas for me in the foodie realm, and long-time readers of this blog will have seen me take that journey towards learning to cook with all sorts of things, and cuisines around the globe. Still, Jungle Jim's was a forty-five minute run and we managed it in our busy schedule about every three months or so.
Now? Well, there's a big Indian market about five minutes away from the apartment. The Little Man and I finally broke out of the grocery rut to explore the local supermercado and were delighted with the quality (and price!) of their meats and produce. We've also explored one of the two big Asian markets that are only ten minutes from home, and come back with ingredients for wonderful meals. All this, and I could stop on my way home and pick up... whatever. There are even more markets I haven't explored yet. We are spoiled for choices. One of the rare upsides to living in the city. We don't have to stay within the limitations of the standard supermarket fare!
Which applies to stocking up, as well. When the pandemic panic of 2020 drained my local supermarket of 'staples' like dried beans and such, I hit the restaurant supply house, and found plenty of stuff there. I was already shopping there on a regular basis, because three teenagers, so it was a surprise to realize that it was evidently unknown to the general public who were wiping out the standard grocery stores. I found this was true, later when I ventured further, and in recent times when odd little shortages began to show up, in my alternative markets. They would often have items vanished from standard shelves. They might not be on brand, but I've never had brand loyalty anyway. I recently advised the Ginja Ninja as we were talking about how to stock up in an apartment, to hit up the local supermercado and any of the other less known shops to try and find canned goods or dry as she needed them to keep the three of them fed. Can't do much about third floor walk-up with all electric, but I can give her pointers on how to keep the lot of them from going hungry if this winter plays a repeat for this area.
Besides which, it's fun to explore new cuisines and tastes. Even in your usual grocery you might be able to find items you can stretch your skills with. Some day, you might need to know how to cook with, oh, ox tail chunks, or chicken feet. To name a couple of items that caught my eye in our explorations. The Little Man took full advantage of my willingness to take him, to plan and execute a challenging meal... for a 16yo, anyway. He wanted to make Binging with Babish's Sugar Chicken, so he did.
A lovely orange chicken, brussels sprouts (they are virtually the only veggie he likes) and a teen cook.