The issue of saving money on food is becoming increasingly important for Calgary residents, especially for Ukrainian newcomers who are adapting to Canadian prices and trying to stretch their budget. Canadian food prices rose by 5-7% in 2025, which means an additional $966 per year for the average Canadian family, so knowing where to find the lowest prices can have a significant impact on the family budget.

The cheapest supermarkets in Calgary: a comprehensive overview

Giant Tiger - the leader among discount supermarkets

Giant Tiger ranks first among the cheapest supermarkets in Calgary. This Canadian chain, which has 260 stores in all provinces except British Columbia and Newfoundland, specializes in providing quality products at affordable prices.

Giant Tiger's unique advantages include its “Ad Match Guarantee” price matching program, whereby the store not only matches competitors' prices but also beats them by 1 cent. This means that if you find a cheaper item in another store's flyer, Giant Tiger will sell it to you for 1 cent less. In addition, the store offers a loyal GT VIP program that gives members access to exclusive contests, discounts at restaurants and sporting events, which is especially useful for newcomers who want to integrate into Canadian society.

Real Canadian Superstore - the best choice for families

Real Canadian Superstore ranks second among the cheapest supermarkets and is especially suitable for large families. In a comparative test of a basket of basic ingredients for a spaghetti dinner conducted by Global News in 2023, Superstore had the lowest price at $24.00 compared to $32.21 at Safeway.

The PC Optimum loyalty program is particularly advantageous, allowing you to earn points on every purchase and receive personalized offers through the mobile app. Members can earn points not only at Superstore, but also at partner stores such as Shoppers Drug Mart and Esso gas stations, making the program particularly attractive to Ukrainian newcomers who are actively traveling around the city.

Walmart - consistently low prices on everything

Walmart ranks third in the ranking of the cheapest supermarkets in Calgary. According to a Money Genius study, as of April 2025, Walmart has the lowest average cost of goods in Canada at $8.64 per unit. In a comparative test by Global News, a basket of groceries at Walmart cost $25.13.

Walmart is known for its frequent “2 for $5,” “3 for $6,” or “4 for $10” promotions, which allow shoppers to mix and match different flavors of the same product. Although Walmart no longer offers price comparisons, their weekly flyers regularly feature attractive offers. Walmart Rewards Mastercard credit card holders can earn extra points for discounts on future purchases.

No Frills - a minimalist approach to maximum savings

No Frills, part of the Loblaws chain, ranks fourth in the rankings. This chain adheres to a “no frills” philosophy - no deli counters, minimal displays, and a limited number of brands, which allows it to keep prices low.

No Frills offers a “Won't Be Beat” program that guarantees to match competitors' prices and uses the same PC Optimum system as Superstore. Ukrainian newcomers especially appreciate this store for its clear, understandable prices with no hidden costs and the ability to shop online with free pickup for orders over a certain amount.

Save On Foods - quality at an affordable price

Save On Foods rounds out the top five cheapest supermarkets in Calgary. Although historically this store has focused more on quality than on the lowest prices, rising inflation has forced it to become more competitive in its pricing.

Save On Foods is particularly noted for the quality of its fresh produce and in-house baked goods at unbeatable prices. The More Rewards loyalty program allows you to earn points on every purchase and receive special offers such as “Save $2” or “2 for $5.” The store also offers price comparisons and special discount days, including $1.49 days on select Tuesdays.

Specialty stores with low prices

The Grocery People - a wholesale approach to retail prices

The Grocery People offers a unique dual-purpose store concept that serves both individual shoppers and retailers. Founded in Alberta as a subsidiary of Federated Co-operatives Limited, this store offers products in a variety of quantities, from a single bottle of ketchup for home use to 4 cases for a retail store.

No membership fees make The Grocery People accessible to everyone, and weekly flyers advertise special sales on meat, vegetables, canned goods, and dried goods. For Ukrainian newcomers who may be shopping for multiple families or communities, this store offers unique savings opportunities.

Costco - long-term savings through bulk purchases

Although Costco requires an annual membership, it can provide significant savings for large families or those willing to buy in bulk. The initial cost may be higher - most items cost between $12 and $20, but they come in multipacks, which provides long-term savings.

Costco is especially good for buying common medications like Tylenol, Advil, and Benadryl, which come in multipacks. The membership fee is often offset at the end of the year through cash back checks that can be applied to the next year's membership or redeemed for cash.

Ethnic and specialty grocery stores

Basha Foods - Best Choice for International Foods

Basha Foods International is Calgary's leading ethnic food store, offering a wide selection of South Asian and Middle Eastern products at low prices. The store specializes in fresh fruits and vegetables, 100% certified halal meat, and a variety of international products.

Basha Foods' mission is to provide Calgary with fresh, high-quality products at low prices, making healthy eating accessible to everyone. The store regularly offers daily and weekly promotions, and a team with over 100 years of combined experience provides unmatched customer service.

Freestone Produce - The Cheapest Produce

Freestone Produce has become a legendary destination among Calgarians looking for the cheapest fresh produce. Located in the northeast part of the city, this family-owned produce distributor has been serving the Calgary community for 8 years and is rapidly growing in recognition.

Prices at Freestone Produce are approximately 1/3 to 1/2 of the prices at most other retailers. Typical prices include tomatoes at $0.99 per pound, bell peppers at $1–1.49 per pound, apples at $1 per pound, lettuce at $1 per head, and oranges at $1–1.49 per pound. The store is especially popular for bulk purchases—boxes of strawberries for $10 or peaches for $0.99/pound are ideal for making jams or preserves.

However, keep in mind that the quality of some discounted items may be questionable after a few days, so shoppers always know what they are buying and are never surprised. The store is busiest on weekends, so it is best to visit on weekdays.

Alternative ways to save on groceries

Good Food Box - a community affordable food program

Good Food Box, operated by the Community Kitchen Program of Calgary, offers a unique opportunity to get fresh fruits and vegetables at significantly lower prices than in supermarkets. The program allows anyone to purchase boxes of seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables at affordable prices.

Three box sizes are available: small box (20-25 pounds of produce for $30), medium box (30-35 pounds for $35), and large box (40-45 pounds for $40). Each box contains a combination of fruits and vegetables, the contents vary depending on seasonal availability, but all boxes contain the maximum amount of produce to provide customers with the best value for their money.

The program purchases produce directly from local farmers and wholesalers, and volunteers pack the boxes and deliver them to depots throughout the city. For example, a medium box for $35 might contain tomatoes, lettuce, 2 heads of garlic, green onions, celery, cauliflower, broccoli, 2 zucchini, 2 cucumbers, a bag of carrots, a grapefruit, 2 papayas, 5 large pears, a bag of apples, a bag of oranges, a large bag of onions, and a 5-pound bag of potatoes.

Fresh Routes - Mobile Food Markets

Fresh Routes offers a unique service delivering fresh and affordable food to various locations throughout the city. The organization's mission is to provide fresh and affordable food to communities that may not have easy access to traditional grocery stores due to various barriers.

For those with limited mobility or busy schedules, Fresh Routes also offers delicious frozen meals. Fresh Routes is partnering with The Social Impact Lab to bring Open Market to Calgary, a local pay-what-you-can grocery market where Calgarians can choose to pay less, the suggested price, or more. The Open Market is open every Thursday at the Meadowlark Community Association from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Odd Bunch - boxes of “imperfect” produce

Odd Bunch recently began serving Calgary, offering a unique delivery service for fresh fruits and vegetables. They specialize in produce that large grocery chains often ignore due to its appearance, offering it at half the cost.

A typical box for one person for $20 plus $5.99 for delivery may contain 4 oranges, 3 red pears, a small package of blueberries, 2 bunches of green onions, 2 large baking potatoes, 3 bok choy, 1 cauliflower, 2 zucchini, 1 small butternut squash, and 1 large head of lettuce. All produce is fresh, free of spots or bruises, and completely edible.

Price comparison between different supermarkets

Detailed comparison of basic products

A 2023 comparative study by Global News revealed significant price differences between supermarkets in Calgary. For a basket of basic items that included a salad mix, 1 pound of ground beef, one white onion, four cloves of garlic, one green pepper, a bunch of fresh cilantro, a jar of tomato sauce, dried oregano, a package of spaghetti, and a loaf of bread, the results were as follows:

• Safeway — $32.21 (most expensive)
• Save-on-Foods — $28.10
• Walmart — $25.13
• Superstore — $24.00 (least expensive, especially for meat and vegetables)

Seasonal price fluctuations

• Summer and early fall: the cheapest fresh fruits and vegetables grown in Alberta. In the fall, it is worth buying apples, beets, cranberries, pumpkins, and shallots.
• Winter (January-March): highest prices due to imports. It is better to choose frozen and canned foods, as well as cabbage, carrots, and potatoes.

Strategies for maximum savings for Ukrainian newcomers

Combining loyalty programs

• PC Optimum (Superstore, No Frills, Shoppers Drug Mart) — points for purchases, redeemable for food or gas.
• More Rewards (Save On Foods) — personalized discounts, Scene+ points.

Registration is free, and points can be redeemed for food or discounts.

Planning purchases using flyers

• Flyers are updated every Thursday/Friday.
• Plan your menu based on promotional items.
• Use Flipp to view all discounts in one place and set up notifications.

Price comparison

• Superstore, No Frills, Save On Foods, Giant Tiger — lowest price guaranteed.
• You must show the flyer or app at checkout.
• Products must be identical (brand, size, type).

Seasonal savings strategies

• Summer: shop at farmers' markets (Calgary Farmers Market) and stock up for winter.
• Winter: frozen vegetables, dried beans, winter root vegetables.

Features for Ukrainian newcomers

Familiar products in Canadian stores

• Walmart, Superstore — sections with buckwheat, pickled cucumbers, sausage.
• Save On Foods — European cheeses and dairy products.

Adapting to Canadian seasons

• Pumpkins: affordable and nutritious, used for soups, pies, etc.
• Canadian apples (Honeycrisp, Gala, Granny Smith) — cheap in the fall, store well.

Conclusion

The most economical grocery shopping in Calgary is based on a combination of:

• choosing the right supermarkets (Giant Tiger, Superstore, Walmart, No Frills, Save On Foods),
• using loyalty programs,
• planning according to flyers,
• specialty stores (Basha Foods, Freestone Produce),
• community programs (Good Food Box).

For Ukrainian newcomers, the key is patience, experimentation, and adaptation to local seasons and products.