Starting on Nov. 1 and each day leading up to 11-11-11, Sprouts is posting a new coupon deal for a single item which will be valid through the Sunday it is posted. Many of the items will be great baking or cooking staples for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. There will be a bonus for all fans hanging around on their Facebook page on 11-11-11. http://www.facebook.com/SproutsFarmersMarket.

Don’t miss out on the last day of their Vitamin Extravaganza! (That’s 25% off all vitamins, supplements and body care items, for those of you who didn’t know.) This is a good time to stock up on your favorite products and get some early holiday shopping done, at a once a year deal. Tip: Spend $100 pre-tax in this department and get an additional 10% off. Be sure to shop on Wednesdays. The weekly specials overlap on that day and you will have twice as many opportunities to save.

If a health food store and big box store had a child it would be called Sprouts.  This is a full service market that combines a fabulous produce department (about 40% of the store) with a natural food store’s selection of everything else at great prices.  What does that mean to the average shopper?  If your shopping list includes fresh produce,  organic cereal, whole wheat baguettes, eco friendly cleaning products, grass fed beef, and a teaspoon of rosemary this is the place for you.  And with their low shelving, you can find everything you need quickly plus there are no mainstream brands to impede your search. This is for families who want more fresh and additive free food in their diet at the best prices.

While their organic produce section is still pretty small, organic products can be found everywhere else in the store.  Organic eggs, yogurt, and milk in the dairy case. Bottled organic juices, organic honey, and even organic breads under the Sprouts label on the shelves. They carry all the brands you would expect to see in any of the other health food chains however most of the prices are better and with weekly specials you can stock up when prices are really fantastic.  Especially on their own Sprouts brand of vitamins.

About that teaspoon of rosemary, I mentioned. This is something new for me, spices in bulk.  How many recipes do we pass up that have an unusual herb or use a bottle that has been there since we moved in? This is an opportunity to try out something new without wasting money.

Bulk buying is also possible for nuts, chips, and candies (better to buy a little then gorge on a lot).

Wednesday might be hump day to some people, for The Frugal Diva Wednesday is shop at Sprouts day.