I’ve always avoided Earth Fare because I assumed money would start jumping out of my wallet the minute I walked into the store. Step 1 of my intentional eating journey is to gather information. So, I decided to learn about Earth Fare’s savings programs and I was pleasantly surprised! Here are a few details:
- The “Pantry Makeover” encourages you to trade-in unhealthy items (completely full or with two tablespoons left in it) and replace it with FREE Earth Fare Organic items! I didn’t realize you can do ALL of the items at the same time so I just showed up with my jelly. Learn from me and bring ALL of your unhealthy items at the same time. You can trade in peanut butter, soda, cereal, salad dressing, and jelly. Click here for more details.
Example of Boot Challenge Coupon
- Each week they feature a “Boot Challenge“. You take a short quiz to see if you know the unhealthy item. They tell you the answer and then offer you a coupon for a Free Makeover.
- They also feature online coupons. Obviously, you should match coupons with sales and even then it may not be worth it. Because “real foods” is new to me, I’m using a Price Grid to track the cost. This way I know if something is a good deal.
Example of Newsletter Coupon
- Sign up for the NEW newsletter to receive coupons, health tips and notice of events straight to your inbox. Most of the emailed coupons require you to spend $5-$10 and then you get an item FREE.
- Kids eat FREE every Thursday from 4-8pm (with the purchase of an adult meal).
- They offer a 10% military discount to active and reserved members of the military.
EARTH FARE COUPON POLICY:
- They do not double coupons
- There is no coupon limit per transaction
- One coupon per item (You can not stack a manufacture coupon and a store coupon together)
- BOGO items ring up at half price
- If a store coupon says “with $5 purchase” your total needs to be $5 BEFORE tax and coupons. This is the policy per corporate, but YMMV.
- Some email coupons may be good for a specific store. They like to vary the coupons because the markets vary. This means your friend may get a coupon that you don’t get. Cue “Life isn’t fair” from your childhood.
Do you have any Earth Fare tips you’d like to share?
Even if you’ve signed up for an account, EarthFare is starting a new program and wants you to re-sign up to get their emails, coupons, etc. The program is called Welcome Home. When you do sign up, you can print a coupon for a free dinner for four! I just did it and it is a 16 oz. container of mashed potatoes, a 16 oz. bag of baby carrots and a fresh whole chicken or a box of veggie burgers (with a $10 purchase).
http://www.earthfare.com/Welcome-Home.aspx
WOW, what great info. Thanks for sharing!
I just visited EarthFare this past weekend and the cashier let me use both the free meal coupon AND the recent free truffles coupon in one transaction, even though I pointed out to her that the coupons specified one per transaction. Very nice!
For those who are curious about the free meal…the baby carrots are fat, the mashed potatoes are pre-packaged and delicious (made with half-and-half and butter), and the chickens are tiny (between 2 and 2.5 lbs). I roasted mine in the crock pot – yum yum!
FYI, chicken size varied. My free chicken was 4.5 lbs. We got four baked chicken servings out of it, and then another 4 servings of chicken with dumplings. It was delicious, too.
Sounds like you made the most of that chicken, Kim! Nice work!
Very cool info. I have at least three PB in the pantry and 2+ bottles of salad dressing that I could bring in. Love that you are stretching yourself, it is very encouraging.
Thanks Aundrea. I am enjoying learning new things. I remember when I started couponing two years ago and I was so overwhelmed. Now, I could do it in my sleep. I hope a year from now I’ll feel the same way about “real food on a real budget”. It’s fun!
Aundrea and others: the EF Pantry Challenge only allows you to exchange ONE of each item category (PB, dressing, etc.). But they don’t care if it’s a full product or the last dregs – I brought in an almost empty jar of jam and they disposed of it for me…and I got some delicious organic blueberry preserves in its place!!
One more thing: the products you bring in to exchange can be expired, too! I took an outdated salad dressing from my stockpile and got some absolutely delicious Sesame Goddess dressing.
Thank you for this info–we would like to eat a more nutritous diet, but never seem to get around to doing it ‘perfectly.’ I think that we’ll do this pantry make-over the next time we’re near an EarthFare Market.
On another note, I found your site through MoneySavingMom.com and really appreciate your recipe cost calculator. I also just discovered your Price Grid (thanks for the link!) and can’t wait to use it as well as your “Buy it now” grid.
Thank you for sharing your hard work with me!
So glad you’re here!
Richelle, The concept of smart shopping tips and budgeting is just what I needed and you’ve provided a wealth of information at your site. Thank you.
One of the things I noticed. The PantryMakeover link goes to an EarthFare page that says:
“Oops! We’ve been doing some remodeling, and it looks like the page you’re looking for has moved. We’re sorry for the inconvenience! Why not try one of our most popular pages?”