By Sirianna Blanck, MBC Student Cabinet
While we work to provide food access for any and all University of Michigan students, staff, and faculty, items at the food pantry are meant to supplement your weekly grocery shopping. But where can you get a good variety of affordable groceries around Ann Arbor, when you don’t have a car consistently for driving to the store? These options around the city (not just the State Street Target) may be helpful for your next trip. Each store is also a certified SNAP-retailer. And remember that MCards give you free fares on TheRide city buses!
Starting on central campus, if you’ve never been, Aldi is consistently one of the cheapest supermarkets out there. It has a set selection that can be lacking in international cuisine or fancy ingredients, but is easily accessible. Make sure to bring a quarter if you want to use a cart (you’ll get it back when you leave) and bring your own bags, otherwise you’ll have to buy some there.
How to get there:
It takes 15 minutes to get to from the downtown Blake Transit Center, BTC – Fourth Ave Stop 4, on route 31 with no transfers.
It’s also 15 minutes back on the same route from the S- Dexter Rd. east of the Maple bus stop to BTC.
More easy bus routes run down Washtenaw Avenue, more specifically TheRide’s Route 4 (& its speedier sibling 104) reaches 3 grocery stores worth checking out.
With a maximum of 20 minutes straight down Washtenaw, Trader Joe’s has high quality groceries, often cheaper or equivalent to most grocers. Popular for its frozen foods and snacks, Trader Joe runs the majority of its supply chain, allowing them to cut down on costs and sell items for cheaper.
If you spend 5 more minutes on route 4, you’ll reach Patel Brothers, a small Indian grocery store offering staples like fresh produce and spices, alongside snacks and pastries.
Finally, reaching Ypsilanti on Route 4 (taking approx. 20 to 30 minutes one-way), Hua Xing Asia Market is known for its Chinese groceries, wide selection, and good prices.
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Lastly, from central campus, if you’re seeking Middle Eastern ingredients or halal options and can’t drive to further away options, the Ann Arbor Mediterranean Market is 25-30 minutes away from central campus on routes 5 or 6, no transfers. (Same routes and time required back to central campus).
From North Campus, Om Market offers a wide-variety of Indian produce and ingredients for those on north campus for good prices. You can reach it from Pierpont Commons in 8 minutes on TheRide Route 22, 18 minutes on the M-Bus Northwood (adding a 10 minute walk), and TheRide route 23 runs straight to Om’s along Plymouth Road.
In this same shopping center, Kroger is easily reachable. It can be pricier but has a very large and reliable grocery selection.
Lastly, with most MBuses, we hope that if you need our resources, you’ll make an appointment and come shopping at the Maize & Blue Cupboard. Food Gatherers has also provided this list of food pantries, distributors, and free meals in Washtenaw County, that we hope you’ll use when you need.