First things first…I was NOT paid by HEB to write this post. I just discovered my love for HEB and I wanted to share it with you! I have always been a shopper of a well known store but recently, I find myself going to HEB every week and "other" stores less frequently. Take a look at why I prefer HEB for most things….
HEB promises not to use anything but pure beef in it's ground beef! (no pink slime!)
These cool "car carts," for TWO:
Two words: organic strawberries. There is a Whole Foods store 45 miles away from where I live, so going there is not an option. Strawberries are one of the "dirty dozen" and my kids eat them like crazy, so I'm willing to pay the higher price for no pesticides and fertilizers! They are even as low as $2 something from time to time, but this isn't a bad price for organic strawberries:
Also on the "dirty dozen" list is apples. Even if you cut the peeling off, it's better to get organic apples. HEB usually has a great selection of organic apples. Today we got some organic Gala apples for $1.97/lb.
HEB makes these awesome Fruit Twists, in strawberry, wild berry, and grape. The boys LOVE this treat and I love that they contain no high fructose corn syrup, like so many other kids' fruity snacks. Organic? no. Are they "healthy?" Probably not. But it's a small change that I am happy to make. AND the Fruit Twists are pretty big and come two to a pack, so it's perfect for sharing! And they're cheaper than another brand of HFCS free twists!
Again, not organic and probably not healthy, but Baby D loves this particular Gerber Graduates Lil' Entree, and this is a good price! (and it gets him to eat peas!)
Organic chocolate? Yes, please!
HFCS free, bake at home, delicious, reasonably priced bread:
HFCS free whole wheat bread, again reasonably priced:
LOCAL honey!
eggs from cage-free and antibiotic-free chickens:
In store coupons, RIGHT in front of the product! I was happy to find this great coupon for our favorite pasta:
I haven't tried this drink, but if you're from Texas, or maybe even if you're not, you know how devastating it was when Dr. Pepper announced it would not be producing the "Dublin Dr. Pepper," made with real sugar. HEB makes a version of "Dr. B" that is free of high fructose corn syrup and contains pure cane sugar.
Aside from grocery items, HEB also carries a great selection of makeup, kids' stuff, and even soaps and cleaners. And there's also a few with coupons in front, too!
And now, my boys' favorite part of the HEB shopping experience……Buddy Bucks. When you check out, the cashier will give your kids Buddy Bucks (but only if you want them!) They put the Buddy bucks in the machine, which spins the wheel and then the kid presses the button, landing on a point value OR the "Instant Winner" space, which the Captain got for the first time today! You save the points in a book and can exchange them for prizes.
Baby D loves this part, even though he can't get the Buddy Bucks in and has no clue about the prizes:
Other things I like about HEB: it's not super crowded, the cashiers have always been friendly, they offer to help you with your groceries if you need it, and most everyone shopping there is friendly. I don't know what, exactly it is….maybe the lights aren't as bright or the aisles are bigger or there is more variety, but I've never had a bad experience at HEB. People are more willing to talk to others, the restrooms are not gross, it is not an over-shopped store. And if my boys are munching on their Fruit Twists and happily driving the car cart, we are (usually) happy shoppers! HEB is doing lots of things right! Way to go, HEB! (I'm sorry that HEB isn't all over the country!!)
Justice Montgomery
Friday 25th of May 2012
Until last year, I had never lived outside the state of WA. I shopped at the same major chain store my entire life, with a very brief exception right before we moved when they built a Winco. That store is by far the cheapest store I've EVER been to. We moved down here to TX and I stuck with my major chain store. Even though it had a different name, they were still my store. Then DH found HEB. The one closest to us was what we call 'ghetto'. It's in serious need of a facelift. The isles are too narrow, and it's always crowded. I don't have the patience for it. Then he discovered the very nice HEB plus store that was another 10 minutes down the road. He tried to introduce it to me while I was pregnant. I don't handle change well. I sure don't handle it well while I'm VERY pregnant. There was too many people, I couldn't find what I needed, I didn't know the store layout and just ended up standing there crying. We left and didn't go back until a few months ago when we had issue with some of my old chain store's couponing policies. We continue to shop at the NICE HEB now. I won't go back to the other chain. Now that we are in a minivan vs our old suburban, we don't need the gas rewards from the other chain as much as we did before. I LOVE HEB. I love that they have double seater carts. I love that the coupons are hanging RIGHT THERE with the product and not in some circular that I have to mix and match with. I don't have a card to remember (Or forget). And their 'brand' products are sometimes much better than the national brands are. The kids LOVE the buddy bucks. DD has got instant wins twice in the last couple of months. (We don't use the books. I just keep all their tickets in a baggie. the books expire before the kids get enough tickets to use them.) And the employees are always great. Much nicer and upbeat than at other stores. Like they are HAPPY there. I mean, they must be happy there or they wouldn't stay, some of them for 30 years almost. I LOVE that they all have the duration of their employment on their tags and their tags are readable so I can say Thank You and use their names. So much more personal! Yeah, we love HEB. <3
Gena
Tuesday 29th of May 2012
Thanks for sharing your story! I, too, really didn't like HEB when I first went there because I am a creature of habit and couldn't find anything, but I gave it another chance and I LOVE it!!!
Dede
Thursday 24th of May 2012
We don't have HEB here but I feel the same way you do about many of these products. My family goes through several pounds of fruit per week, and I always try to buy organic. It's nice when the price is reasonable and you can really get a lot of it.
Dawn
Thursday 24th of May 2012
I don't know that I have ever seen a HEB in our area. I will have to keep an eye open! Thanks for the info, like you, I am willing to pay a little more for quality products. :) Dawn www.cheapisthenewclassy.com
Scarlett Rose
Thursday 24th of May 2012
Wow, I'm really sorry HEB isn't all over the country. I'll have to check, but I've never seen one up in my part of the midwest. This sounds so cheesy, but it kind of seems like a magical place to shop!