50 food items at Whole Foods under $1.50

For those of us pinching on the food dollars, did you know that there are actually a whole bunch of food items at Whole Foods that you can get under $1.50. Oh yeah! That's cheaper than a tall coffee at Starbucks. And, we're talking not just regular items, but organic stuff too.

I picked the $1.50 price point because I thought that was an aggressively low number yet cool enough to dispel some of the Whole paycheck stigma. Plus, Whole Foods has many items marked at $1.49

And to note, WF 365 = Whole Foods 365 Brand. Item selection can vary from store to store, so check yours. The prices I list are based in San Mateo county, CA as of December 6, 2008, and all items are regular priced. Whole Foods has been upping their sale items and offering coupons galore, so definitely check those out. One great deal at my store this weekend was 10 mangoes for $10 total. Nice!

So, here we go:

Fresh produce department

• 1lb bag organic Baby Carrots    $0.99
• 1lb Brussels Sprouts                $1.49
• 1 bunch organic Green Onions  $0.99
• 1lb organic Squash: Spaghetti, Butternut, Kabocha    $1.49
• 1lb organic Bananas                $1.19

Meat department

• 1/3lb Ground Beef 16% Fat (based on $3.99/lb)    $1.32

Note: For 2 people, 1/3lb is enough to make qty-2 good size hamburger patties, about 5 Brussels sprout size meatballs, or enough ground beef for one jar of pasta sauce.

Dairy department

• 1 pint of Clover milk: Vitamin D, 2%, 1%, Fat Free    $0.99
• 1 8oz box of WF 365 Cream Cheese        $1.49
• Single serving yogurt from popular brands like Clover, Brown Cow, Wallaby, Stonyfield, Horizon    prices vary from $0.79-$1.39
• 1 3/4oz snack size Black Diamond Cheddar Cheese Cube    $0.99

Bulk foods

• 1/2lb French Vanilla Almond Granola (based on $2.99/lb)    $1.49
• 1/2lb Whole Wheat Cous Cous (based on $2.49/lb)            $1.24
• 1lb Long Grain Brown Rice    $1.19
• 1/2lb Golden Flax Seed (based on $2.19/lb)        $1.09

Pasta stuff

• 1 14.5oz can WF 365 organic Diced Tomatoes Italian    $1.29
• 1 8oz can organic Muir Glen Tomato Sauce    $0.89
• 1 16oz bag WF 365 pastas: Spaghetti, Capellini, Linguine, Penne, Fusilli    $0.99
• 1 box WF 365 organic Mac & Cheese: Cheddar or White Cheddar    $1.29
• 1 box WF 365 Shells & Cheese: Cheddar or Alfredo    $0.99

Tofu, Thai, Tortillas, Tuna

• 1 box WF 365 organic Extra Firm tofu    $1.29
• 1 8oz bag House of Foods Tofu Shirataki (Yam Noodle w/Tofu) Shapes: Spaghetti, Fettuccine, Angel Hair    $1.39
• 1 bag organic WF 365 Corn Tortillas qty-12    $0.99
• 1 can WF 365  organic Light Coconut Milk    $1.29
• 1 1.6oz packet Thai Kitchen Instant Noodle Soup in multiple flavors    $0.99
• 1 can WF 365 Tongol Tuna    $1.39
• 1 can WF 365 Albacore Tuna    $1.49

Canned and frozen veggies and beans

• 1 6oz can WF 365 Pitted Olives: Green or Black: Medium, Large, Jumbo    $1.49
• 1 can WF 365 organic Beans: Refried Black, Refried Pinto, Black w/ Jalapeno, Pinto w/ Chile and Lime    $1.29
• 1 can WF 365 organic Seasoned Chili Beans and Ranchero flavor    $1.29
• 1 can WF 365 Various Veggies: Cut Green Beans, Sweet Peas, Corn, Sliced Carrots, Sliced Beets    $0.99
• 1 16oz bag WF 365 Frozen Peas    $1.19
• 1 16oz bag WF 365  Frozen Broccoli Florets    $1.09
• 1  16oz bag WF 365 Shelled or Non-shelled Edamame    $1.49

Snacks

• 1 2oz snack box WF 365 organic Animal Cookies    $1.49
• Food bars from popular brands like Kashi, Power Bar, Balance, Odwalla, Nature's Path, Clif, Luna, Larabar    range $1.19-$1.49
• 1 snack WF 365 organic Honey Roasted Bar    $1.39
• 1 snack pack Meterobites Granola w/ a Boost    $1.29
• 1 Clif Kid organic Twisted Fruit Snack    $0.79
• 1 4oz snack size Haagen Daz Ice Cream: Vanilla, Chocolate, Dulce de Leche    $1.29
• 1 single snack size Rice Dream Pies various flavors    $1.19
• 1 single WF 365 Chicken Burrito w/ beans & rice (or cheese)    $1.49
• 1 1.4oz snack pack WF 365 organic Pretzels    $0.79
• 1 2oz bag Kettle Chips in various flavors    $0.99
• 1 can WF 365 soda in various flavors    $0.49
• 1 1.4oz packet (good for one smoothie) WF Soy Protein Powder in Vanilla or Chocolate    $1.39

Fresh Bakery and Deli

• 1/4 lb sliced cheese Swiss, Havarti, Monterey, Cheddar (based on $5.99/lb. 1/4lb is about 4-6 slices depending on thickness of slice)    $1.49
• Fresh Daily WF Bakery Cookie various flavors    $0.99
• 1 Bagel    $0.89
• 1 Bread Roll: Soft, Sesame, Wheat    $0.59
• 1 4oz French Demi Baguette    $0.99

So, as you can see, there is a pretty wide variety to choose from even enough to cook a whole meal outside of tuna and Mac & Cheese, typical "cheap food", and this is just from my local Whole Foods. Your store could have other items, and remember to check for sales and coupons. If I had gone up just $1 more to items under $2.50, there would be an even bigger selection to choose from.

The point is that Whole Foods will not always cost you your entire paycheck, and you can find organic foods for cheap.

What kind of food items or deals have you found at your local Whole Foods for under $1.50?