About

What is Food Cents?

We know how quickly grocery bills add up and we are here to help!

Food Cents combines the best specials on organic and natural grocery products in the Lower Mainland in one easy, convenient place. We didn't stop there either!  Now we also include details on vegan, gluten-free, and fair trade products.

Just by doing a quick check at www.foodcents.org for Specials before you shop, you will save lots of $$$ without sacrificing your dietary choices.

For only minutes a day, you can save significant money on your grocery bill.

How do I use Food Cents?

The great thing about Food Cents is the ability to customize it just for you! 

Unregistered users can search for specials using the drop down filters on the right sidebar. Simply select the criteria you are searching for (Category, Store, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Organic, keyword.) You can be as general or specific as needed. One day you may just need to know who has the best price on organic milk, and the next day need the price for Certified Organic, Vegan, Gluten-free pasta at Choices. Food Cents can give you it all!

Registered users can also search for specials on the sidebar, but their favorite products can be saved. Once products are saved as favorites, any specials for them will display in the right sidebar (see right) every time the user logs in as the image right shows. Once you are registered it is very fast and simple to add your favorite foods.

Special Listings

1. Category- The listings start by Category in each post. Search by category if there is a specific food group you are looking for. 

2. Product- The listings are sorted alphabetically by the product type, with the brand name listed last. In the example below Almond Breeze is the product type and Blue Diamond is the brand name.

3. Price

4. Details- This section includes any details available for the Product on sale. This could include the size of package as well as the varieties that are included.

5. Origin- This section will include the origin of the Product if it is known. If the origin is known but it is not BC, Canada, Europe, Mexico, or USA, it will be included in the Details section.

6. Organic- This will display if the Product is organic or not. There are 4 different things that could be displayed here.

• Not Organic- Any product that is not confirmed to have any organic ingredients, or only secondary ingredients may be organic
• Organic- Any product that contains organic primary ingredient, but cannot be confirmed to be certified
• Certified Organic- Any product that can be confirmed to be certified organic by a recognized certifying body
• Specialty- This includes any Meat or Egg product that is labeled as Free Range, Free Run, Naturally Raised, or Antibiotic Free, but is not organic

7. Vegan- This includes products that do not contain any ingredient derived from an animal. Packaged foods often comes with vegan and non-vegan options. If a product does have at least one vegan option, the product will be listed as vegan. Please continue to read ingredient labels for absolute certainty if you are unsure of any item.

8. Gluten-Free- This section highlights any products that do not contain gluten. Celiac disease is a serious but manageable condition once diagnosed. Packaged foods often comes with gluten-free options. If a product does have at least one gluten-free option, the product will be listed as gluten-free. For safety, please continue to read  ingredient labels for absolute certainty if you are unsure of any item.

9.Fair Trade- This will display if an item has been certified "Fair Trade." Many types of products are not eligible for certification,so many items will not be listed as Fair Trade. This also currently includes direct trade products, which may change in the future. The major items that are affected are coffee, tea, sugar, fruit, and chocolate and hopefully this information will help your purchasing decisions.  For more information check out http://transfair.ca/

10. End Date- This is the date that the sale ends.

11. Store- This is the store where the Product is on sale. If you need help locating the store just click Map under the store name and a map with the location details will display.

12. Favorite- Click this icon to save this item to your Favorites. Everytime this product is on sale, the sale will display on your right hand sidebar. Only available to registered users.

13. Share- Know someone who would love a deal? Hover over this icon and spread the deal to your friends and family in whichever medium suits you best.

Alternatively, you can use the search bar in the upper right hand corner of the page to search through the entire site for keywords.

Don’t forget to click on the favorites icon to save the items you frequently purchase!

Why Should I Choose Organic?

Most conventionally packaged foods are made with artificial preservatives, colors, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Many of these are known carcinogens acknowledged by the US Environmental Protection Agency, and are banned in many countries in Europe and Asia. Unfortunately, in North America, foods containing these harmful substances are not required to be labeled as such. Choosing organically produced food limits how these toxins will be entering your body. With that comes a greater piece of mind for you and your family.

Organic farmers also practice sustainable farming using various methods of composting, manure fertilization, natural pest control, cover crops, and crop rotation. Besides pesticide reduction, these methods help maintain nutrients in the soil, leaving more viable nutrients for our bodies to absorb. By purchasing from organic farmers and companies you are supporting a sustainable, healthy, agricultural industry.

Why do you include some foods that are not organic?

We would like to have the majority of our foods listed be organic, but there are some products included on this site that are natural, additive-free, or specialty items like vegan, gluten-free or lactose-free that our members would like to know about.

How often is your site updated?

Our goal is to keep the site current and update it with all changes in prices. If you see a price change that we have missed, please make us aware by commenting on the posts, or by email at info@foodcents.org.

Are you recommending that I go to all of these stores for my groceries?

No. Not unless you are cycling or on foot! Many neighborhoods now have several grocery options so you can find the best price on your food staples and then decide where best to purchase them. Another great way to use our list is to plan your grocery needs, make a list, and then compare the prices at the different stores. Often, the same items will be on sale at multiple stores for similar prices. Do you work in a different area than your home? Why not use our map to see if any of the stores that are not in your home neighborhood, are close to your work? Once you have your grocery list you can stop by on your lunch or after work to get the best deals.