5 Reliable Shops Providing Customers with Staple Foods

Shopping for groceries can often be an arduous task. However, it is a necessary one. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to acquire the daily essentials that are pleasant and, in some cases, beneficial to the local community. From family-owned supermarkets to online shops, there are plenty of ways to go about finding household staples. In no particular order, here are several businesses helping people fill their pantries.

First up, at #1, we have Rouses Markets, a family-owned supermarket chain with locations throughout Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. Anthony J. Rouse, Sr. began with one store in Houma, Louisiana in 1960. The company claims to be one of the largest independent grocers as well as the fastest-growing family-owned supermarket in the United States.

Rouses honors the family's Italian heritage by keeping staples produced in Italy on shelves and also pays homage to the local culture with Cajun offerings such as Andouille sausage, boudin, and hogshead cheese. The business works with local farmers, fishermen, manufacturers, and vendors whenever possible to support regional food systems.

Coming in at #2 is Kerber's Farm, one of the last remaining working farms in Huntington, New York. Originally founded in 1941, the property was first established as a poultry farm. Eventually, Kerber added a food stand and pie shop, and the business became known for its fine baked goods, eggs, ice cream, and fresh produce.

In 2013, the farm was slated for development into condominiums until it was purchased by Nick Voulgaris, an entrepreneur, farmer, designer, and published author. Voulgaris restored the market and vegetable farm, and now raises organic chickens and has numerous beehives for local raw honey. He and his team grew Kerber's into a national brand that has items available in a network of stores around the country, including Williams-Sonoma and Neiman Marcus.

At #3, British Corner Shop is an online grocery store for ex-pats around the world who might be missing favorite items from home such as Marmite or Warburtons crumpets. The company was founded in 1999 and has received honors such as the Queen's Award for Enterprise in International Trade.

Customers can search for over 12,000 British staples and have them delivered worldwide. Kits and hampers are available in categories such as Afternoon Tea, Care Package, and Brit Essentials, a hamper that has a variety of items including Branston Pickle, McVities Chocolate Digestives, and Heinz Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce.

At #4 is Harveys Supermarket, a grocery store that serves communities throughout Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina. It was established in 1924 by Iris and J.M. Harvey and is now a subsidiary of Southeastern Grocers.

In addition to providing services such as in-store pharmacies, a deli, and a bakery counter, the company also offers a rewards program, weekly savings ad, and coupons that are available in both printable and digital format. Harveys Supermarket also honors food sustainability and supports the local community by sourcing produce from local farms and orchards whenever possible.

Finally, at #5, we have the Green Garden Bakery, a youth-run business selling vegetable-based desserts to the Minneapolis community. The bakery began when a few teenagers approached Urban Strategies Inc., a local non-profit, to pitch the idea of using cooking classes and a community garden to create a business. The teens test-piloted the concept at the Global Market Green Fair, selling green tomato cakes with recycled packaging, and earned enough money to continue the project.

The business grows vegetables in a community garden, bakes them into healthy desserts, and markets them using sustainable practices. Vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free options are available and biodegradable paint is used on all packaging. The local community, which has been deemed a "food desert" by the USDA, gains access to a garden and cooking classes.