Shop Cheap

There's a lot to like at the new "Sprouts" Farmers Market in Roseville, located in the old Linens n Things building next to Costco on Stanford Ranch Road. First, it's a bright, open, friendly store that's easy to navigate. Second, during this weekend's grand opening, the prices are definitely Shop Cheap worthy.

Shop Cheap had the opportunity to preview the store Tuesday evening. That was both good -  because she got to take her time checking things out - and bad because the store was not yet open for shoppers. In fact, it was torture not being able to buy strawberries - 4lbs for $5; and some great $1 items like Mom's Best Cereal, veggie trays and a bag of avocados.

Before we start filling the cart, here's a little history: The Sprouts chain opened its first store in Chandler, Ariz., in 2002. Since that time it has opened more than 50 stores - in Arizona, California, Colorado and Texas - and has plans for more. In addition to the Roseville location, another "Sprouts" will sprout in Citrus Heights in early 2012 on Greenback across from  Sunrise Mall. Recently, Arizona-based Sprouts was purchased by the New York investment company that owns Henry's Farmer Markets. Later this year both companies will combine under the Sprouts name, including the Henry's store in Elk Grove.

Now, let's start filling up that cart. Sprouts says it provides "Healthy Living for Less." Produce is abundant and nicely displayed. There are bins and bins of bulk items from nuts and grains to trail mix and dried cranberries. They also have a great selection in their Health and Beauty Department.

Here's what we like best during the grand-opening event: Fresh green beans for 88-cents a pound; Braeburn apples for 49-cents a pound; Fuji's for 88-cents a pound; cantaloupe or seedless watermelon for 49-cents a pound.

The $1 items include Bolthouse juices; Amy's burritos; a pint of grape tomatoes; Sprouts frozen vegetables and a pound of French vanilla almond granola.

Sprouts sliced San Francisco-style sourdough is $1.50 a loaf; canned beans are 2/$1; tortilla chips are 99-cents a bag and Sprouts salsa is $1.99 a jar. A gallon of organic apple juice is $5.99; a 3lb container of pure honey is $6.99 and a jar of apple sauce is $1.99.

The Sprouts butcher shop grinds its own Italian sausage from all-natural ingredients. Hot or sweet, the links are $1.99lb. Extra lean ground beef is $3.79lb.

In dairy, Greek gods yogurt is 2/$3 - and that's the 24oz size. Shamrock Farms cottage cheese is 2/$5.

Those are the highlights from Shop Cheap. You might want to check it out for yourself...it's definitely worth the trip. Be sure to say "Hi" to the Sprouties - that's what they call their employees!