What's it Like: Grocery Shopping

Grocery shopping here is not all that different here. Not greatly, different, anyway. Here's a rundown on similarities and differences...

What's the same as what we were used to in the states?

• The food is pretty much the same. We can get most anything at grocery stores here. Imports will cost you. For instance, a small box of PopTarts is around $6-7 USD. 
• Several big chains hold the majority of the market. Our choices include Kiwi, Rimi, Rema 1000, ICA and Meny. We can also drive a little further to Coop, EuroSpar or Joker. (There are other chains in the country as well.)
• Lots of choices when you're shopping for coffee, cheese, meat or fish.

What's different from our former 'normal'?

• At many stores, you need a coin to get a grocery cart. You get it back when you return the cart. Baskets are no charge.
• Bring your own bags. Or pay for plastic bags, usually around 1 krone (@17 cents USD).
• Almost everything is a local (local meaning from Norway) product. Produce is probably the biggest exception (you can only grow so many things in this climate).
• Most juice comes in a paper carton, not a plastic or glass bottle. 
• Same for veggies: many are packed in boxes instead of cans.
• In most cases, stores are small. Typically, there are only a few choices for each item. For example. the picture below shows Daniel on the vegetable aisle. Actually, only the right side is canned vegetables, and what you're seeing is pretty much the entire aisle. And the last part is the Mexican food section.
• Few grocery stores are open on Sunday. Like most stores and shops. Most cities have one or two small shops that you can visit on a Sunday. But be ready for narrow aisles, VERY limited selection, and standing in line a while.

Daniel loves the stores that have kid-sized carts!

Kiwi is one of the grocery store chains in our city. It tends to
have the lowest prices, but not as much variety.