I am so happy that Aldi has come to Hastings! Their prices are very cheap, but the food is of a very high quality. They keep costs low by keeping a low overhead, customers take care of their carts and bag their own groceries, and the employees do more than just one job. Despite that, they pay entry level employees $11 hr/+ so they seem to be in a good mood even when it's busy.
Lines can get backed up quickly, but there is usually someone nearby who will jump on a register when it backs up too much. Don't expect them to come up when there are three people in line, because they move through customers quickly.
The produce has been pretty stellar so far, and cheap! Gourmet cheese, specialty coffee, fair trade organic cane sugar, imported goods from Mexico, Germany and France! In addition, their foods don't contain extra filler. No gluten in their doritos (We like their brand better!), most of their ice cream isn't loaded with corn syrup (the pistachio gelato is to die for), and their chunky soup is half the price as most other stores.
There are a lot of good options for people on diets too. I am gluten-free for medical reasons, and Aldi is the only place I can afford to shop for replacement foods. Bread that is $8 at one store is $4 for their brand, and tastes better. They only lack GF flour, but I have been able to find that at Horrock's and WalMart for a reasonable price.
I am always shocked when I fill my cart for less than $100, including meat, cheese, coffee, and bathroom and laundry supplies. We have been able to live well on $250 a month for groceries for two people and frequent guests.
They also have home and garden items, such as lawn chairs, coolers, bean bag chairs, blankets, pots and pans, and other stuff. It doesn't have the same variety as Wal-Mart or Family Fare, but you are getting a good quality item for a low price, so you just have to not be picky about brand names. read more