Being a college student comes with the perks of ready-made dining and convenient grab-and-go meals. But just because you have a meal plan doesn’t mean you are always in the mood for a burrito bowl, chicken and two sides, or an omelet. And for many students living off campus, having a meal plan is no longer the most convenient or sustainable option. Grocery shopping can be an exciting responsibility of adult life, but it is also costly and time-consuming.
Boston College takes pride in its optimal location on Heartbreak Hill in the quaint town of Newton. But being in this suburbia means that access to grocery stores is limited compared to the greater Boston area. If you are shopping in Chestnut Hill, there are a few options for nearby grocery stores, including Whole Foods, Wegmans, Star Market, and Trader Joe’s. A trip to the grocery store often requires a significant time commitment, sometimes taking several hours.
Since most of these grocery stores are located in Newton, it is unlikely to be able to rely on the T as a mode of transportation. Trader Joe’s and Star Market in Brookline are exceptions to this, with the C line taking you to stops close to stores. Getting to these stores by foot is a nice option in the fall and spring, but is often impractical in the colder months.
Whole Foods is located 1.7 miles from campus, meaning a walk would take approximately 36 minutes. Similarly, Wegmans is 1.6 miles away, a whopping 38 minute walk. Slightly closer are the two Star Market options, a larger one in Newton 1.2 miles or 24 minutes away, and a smaller one in Brookline that is a 41 minute walk from campus. Trader Joe’s, a slightly farther but also a more specialized store, is a 47 minute walk away from campus. Chances are you will need to catch the C line at Cleveland Circle if you are invested in their dark chocolate peanut butter cups or the best French brie around.
For most college students balancing courses, work, and social lives, trips to the grocery store can be burdensome. Living on the Heights makes the appeal of food delivery services such as UberEats, Doordash, and Instacart especially appealing. But using these more accessible options comes with a price. While delivery fees on these apps may be free or relatively low, the services make up by up-charging on products. Doordash rings in with the highest upcharge on goods at a 34% increase. Instacart and UberEats place upcharges of 24% and 25%, respectively. These additional costs, in conjunction with delivery tips and service fees, means your grocery bill is bound to be high.
In addition to finding the time to grocery shop, the rising price of groceries nationwide has made buying even more difficult. According to the New York Times, in January the inflation rate rose 3%, with a large impact of this surge being on grocery products. In comparison to December, grocery prices rose .5%, and over the course of a year it has risen 1.9%. Monthly increase in grocery prices has not been this high since August 2023. At the center of these increases is the devastating bird flu, responsible for the nationwide shortage of eggs. In just one month, egg prices have risen 15.2%, with a dozen eggs averaging at $7. This is a $2.25 increase from the fall.
The inflation of grocery prices and the lack of produce accessibility due to a nationally strained supply chain can make it difficult to maintain a balanced and nutritious diet. In addition to the price of eggs skyrocketing, the decline of cattle stocks has also driven up the price of red meat. Environmental disasters such as the wildfires in Los Angeles and the hurricanes in Florida have also placed burdens on farmers and natural sources of food.
While food prices have been rising throughout the country, Massachusetts has seen some of the steepest price hikes. As of April 2024, Massachusetts ranked the 6th highest ranking state in terms of grocery inflation, with an increase of 6.6%.
Massachusetts’ Governor Maura Healey recently commented on an expected expense increase residents may face due to President Trump’s impending tariffs on foreign goods. While a hold has been placed on the 25% tariff on goods coming to the US from Canada and Mexico, a 10% tariff on goods from China took effect Tuesday, Feb 4, 2025. Governor Healey said in reference to all three of these proposed tariffs that residents would face higher grocery, gas, housing, and clothing costs. Dairy will especially be affected if the Canadian tariffs are put into effect, as most of our milk, butter, and cheese are imported from Canada.
While grocery shopping as a BC student can seem discouraging, there are a few things that can make the process easier. The BC grocery shuttle runs Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-2pm every weekend, making stops at Chestnut Hill Mall, Wegmans, and Star Market. Additionally, the Commonwealth Ave. Reservoir Bus brings students to Cleveland Circle, which provides easy access to the C line to Trader Joes. Another option is, Weee!, an online Asian market, offers referral discounts and student deals to BC students. Weee! delivers fresh produce, meats, pantry essentials, and bakery goods with free local delivery for orders over $35. Unlike other delivery services, Weee! charges no service fees for local delivery and offers a unique $20 off when you receive or send a referral to a friend.
Another initiative you can take to make the most of your grocery shopping experience is to compare prices every week across grocery stores. While going to Wegmans and Whole Foods may be more accessible via public transportation, they tend to have higher prices than Star Market and Trader Joe’s. Signing up for online rewards and downloading grocery apps can also provide you with deals and discounts that you may not have known about.
In terms of grocery options on campus, campus cafes and markets usually carry eggs, frozen snacks, chips, and yogurt. However, these often overpriced products use Eagle Bucks rather than your residential meal plan money. On the bright side, in the fall and spring BC hosts fresh farmers markets on Friday afternoons, where local vendors sell fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, and bread. These markets are a great way to find local produce, which, unlike at other campus markets, can be bought using your residential dining money.
As college students, we are bound to want access to snacks, ice cream, instant ramen, and microwave mac and cheese. In today’s world, grocery shopping seems like an unfortunate reality. My advice to you: don’t make grocery shopping just another chore you have to do. Make it fun, bring a friend, grab a latte, and potentially make a stop at the bookstore. Perhaps you will even come to enjoy the art of comparing deals to find the cheapest carton of eggs.
Matcha and coffee enthusiast with a love for all things mystery and true crime.
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