The Student’s Guide to Supermarkets in New Brunswick

By Alex Toomey, Rutgers New Brunswick, USA

If you’re not on a full meal plan, knowing where to stock up on groceries and dorm essentials is an absolute survival skill. Over my year in New Brunswick, I learned where to go for the best deals, the freshest produce, and the random little things that make student life feel a bit more normal. Here’s my guide:

Trader Joe’s – The Cult Favourite

Hands down, Trader Joe’s was my number one pick for groceries. The vibe is friendly, the products are reliably tasty, and the prices are actually very good for the quality. Their snacks, frozen meals, and unique pantry staples are unbeatable. But full disclosure—you won’t find absolutely everything here. For more specific ingredients or international products, you’ll still need a backup plan. I urge you to try their frozen orange chicken and chocolate covered pretzels it was a time and time again favourite in my flat.

Pro Tip: If you’re living off-campus or without a meal plan, Trader Joe’s is worth a dedicated trip. Load up on essentials like pasta, frozen veggies, and their cookies—you’ll thank yourself later.

Target – The Dorm Lifesaver

Target is the ultimate one-stop-shop for dorm and home essentials. Need a new comforter, storage bins, or cute fairy lights to make your dorm feel like home? Target has you covered. The grocery section is okay, but the real magic is all the extras: cleaning supplies, snacks, and those random items you forgot to pack but suddenly can’t live without. The best purchase we made as a flat was our projector it was $30 and gave us countless nights of cosy movie marathons and tv watch parties to get us through the winter. Definitely the best place to go when you first move in.

Walmart – The Everything Store

Walmart is basically the answer to every “I need this and that” problem. It’s huge, yes, and maybe a little overwhelming at first, but it truly covers all bases. Groceries, electronics, school supplies, toiletries—you name it, Walmart probably has it.

Pro Tip: If you’re doing a big weekly shop, split an Uber with friends or find some helpful friends with cars—it’ll save you so much money in the end.

Dollar Store – The Lowkey Holy Grail

Don’t underestimate the dollar store. Somehow, it has everything you didn’t know you needed: kitchen gadgets, stationery, snacks, cleaning supplies all for a fraction of the price elsewhere. Plus, it’s in the same industrial park as Trader Joe’s, which makes it a perfect double-stop if you’re planning a grocery run by car.

Bravo – The Walkable Option

If you can’t be bothered to hop in a car, Bravo is your walkable hero (probably the only walkable supermarket in car obsessed America). The selection is solid and it’s super convenient, though some items are slightly overpriced. The silver lining? They offer a 5% student discount—so flash your ID and save a few bucks.

Delivery – Doordash Groceries

Sometimes, convenience wins. If you know exactly what you need, grocery delivery via Doordash or other apps can actually be cheaper than driving around with an uber. It’s perfect for those evenings when you’re dead tired from class and just want to order snacks and essentials straight to your door.

My Takeaway

The key to surviving grocery shopping in New Brunswick is knowing which store does what best, planning your trips efficiently, and, honestly, finding friends to carpool with. Trader Joe’s for snacks, Target for dorm essentials, Walmart for everything else, Dollar Store for random treasures (it saved me with halloween costumes too), Bravo for walkable convenience, and delivery for lazy evenings—mix and match depending on your mood, schedule, and bank account. Before you know it, you’ll be navigating these stores like a pro.