Canadian creates tool to help shoppers find alternative grocery stores during Loblaw boycott
With the Loblaw boycott underway, one Canadian has created a tool to help shoppers find alternative grocery stores to major chains.
In April, Reddit user Responsible_Space629 revealed a new site they created called Alt Grocery in the Loblaws Is Out of Control subreddit.
“Are you tired of the high prices and limited options at the big chain grocery stores? I’ve created a tool that might just be the solution you’ve been looking for,” reads their post.
“The website is dedicated to helping you find alternative grocery stores, pharmacies, and farmers’ markets across Canada, away from the ‘big 5’ grocers.”
Explore Alternative Grocery Options Across Canada with AltGrocery.ca
byu/Responsible_Space629 inloblawsisoutofcontrol
The “big 5” grocers the Redditor refers to are Loblaw, Metro, Sobeys, Walmart and Costco.
The Alt Grocery creator says that the tool was born out of rising concerns over price gouging and few choices when it comes to grocery stores.
They aim to “empower consumers” by promoting fair pricing and supporting smaller, local businesses often overshadowed by larger chains like Loblaw stores. The site will spotlight these businesses by promoting their social media and websites and providing customers with directions to these stores.
“By showcasing local options like small shops and farmers’ markets, we’re giving people more choices,” the creator, who asked to remain anonymous, told Daily Hive over email. “And who knows, maybe they’ll discover they can save some cash while supporting their community. It’s a win-win!”
Alt Grocery is already live. It essentially works as a directory where you can search for alternative grocers in your province. The options will appear as a list on the left and in the map view on the right.
altgrocery.ca
The alternatives aren’t limited to local grocery stores. The directory also includes farms, pharmacies, and farmers’ markets.
Reddit user Responsible_Space629 does note that this is an early version of the tool, which they worked on as a side project.
“I managed to gather over 1,000 listings across all 13 provinces in just two weeks!” they said.
The creator says the platform is community-driven and encourages Canadians to share any alternative groceries they might know of.
“If you know of any hidden gems—be it a quaint little grocery store, a local pharmacy, or a lively farmers’ market—please suggest these locations on our site via the ‘Recommend an Alt Business’ button,” reads the Reddit post.
If you experience any issues with the site or have any questions or concerns, you can contact the creator at [email protected].
You can also donate to the project here. The creator of Alt Grocery says all of the proceeds will go towards hosting costs and expanding the site based on community suggestions.
“Together, we can create a more diverse and consumer-friendly shopping landscape across Canada,” Responsible_Space629 wrote. “Let’s make a difference — one store at a time.”
You can find more ways Canadians are trying to save money on groceries here.
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