The Frugal Diva felt like a big time athlete when she got a signing bonus for registering on the Albertsons site. They give you a $5 coupon off a purchase of $25 just for supplying your email address and getting a Preferred Savings Card. You can also refer up to five people and get $5 for every friend that registers. That’s quite a nice introduction for first time shoppers.

After being given the grand tour with other bloggers, I learned that they are going the extra mile in terms of local produce and helping you get the best nutrition bang for your buck. Their Nutrition IQ alerts you to better-for-you choices on the spot as you shop. They even give you a shopping list for different conditions. Click on gluten free and check off the items for your next shopping trip. Heidi Diller R.D., who spoke to the group, was impressive both for her clinical knowledge and her passion for bringing this information to the public.

For a long time, Albertsons has been off my radar. Just a little bit further then my usual markets, it seemed like an extra trip. Now the reality was that it was only about five minutes further on my route but one gets into their rut. I was pleasantly surprised to see the abundance of fresh and local produce.  Kale from Oxnard came prewashed in a 10 ounce bag for $2.99.  The prewash makes it so easy to stir fry with garlic and olive oil. In a few seconds, there was a great side dish for dinner.

In order to serve consumers better, they are combining all their private label items into the Everyday Essentials line. This will mean better prices for consumers since packaging will be more uniform. The mushroom pasta sauce compared favorably with more expensive brands and the spaghetti had a good texture. Adding a little ground turkey made this an excellent entree at a great price.

Albertsons is a good addition to your mix of marketing.  It reminded me that in order to get the best deals you need to explore all the options. And don’t forget about that signing bonus for an extra discount on your first trip!

Disclaimer: Albertsons gave me a gift card and samples of their products to try. This did not effect my thoughts about the store however it did prompt me to shop there.