Shop Local, Eat Local! These Local Products Are On Store Shelves Now. - Fresh Dish Post from Price Chopper

Why Shopping Local at Price Chopper Matters More Than You Think

If you’ve lived in Kansas City for any length of time, you may already know that Price Chopper isn’t just another grocery store chain. It’s locally owned by the Ball, Cosentino, McKeever and Queen families, all of whom live in Kansas City and oversee all 51 grocery store’s daily operations. The company is deeply rooted in the communities it serves, and, quietly but consistently, is one of the most important champions of Kansas City–made food products in the metro.

Long before “shop local” became a rallying cry, Price Chopper was building relationships with nearby farmers, bakers, roasters, sauce makers, candy companies, and other family-run food brands that define what Kansas City tastes like. Their commitment shows up everyday in the aisles, refrigerators, freezer cases and endcaps inside their stores across the city.

And that matters, for your wallet, for your neighborhood economy, and for the long-term health of Kansas City’s food scene.

Why Locally Owned Grocery Stores Can Support Local Makers

When a grocery store is owned locally, decisions about what goes on the shelves aren’t being made in a boardroom 1,000 miles away. They’re made by people who live here, shop here, and care about what makes each neighborhood unique.

Price Chopper buyers don’t just look at spreadsheets. They listen to customers and their employees, talk with small business owners, and actively seek out Kansas City brands that deserve a shot at being discovered by more shoppers. For a small food company, landing shelf space in a local grocery store can be the difference between staying a farmers-market-only brand and becoming a sustainable business.

Every jar of salsa, bottle of barbecue sauce or loaf of locally baked bread that moves through a Price Chopper checkout lane helps keep a Kansas City company in business, and keeps jobs here in our city.

The Economic Ripple Effect of Shopping Local

When you buy a locally made product, your dollar travels farther. That money is more likely to stay in Kansas City, where it supports:

• Local food producers and their employees
• Local farmers and ingredient suppliers
• Local designers, marketers, and delivery drivers
• Local tax bases that fund schools, parks and city services

It’s a ripple effect that strengthens entire neighborhoods, as your grocery dollars circulate through the same community you live and work in.

Better for the Food Scene—and Your Tastebuds

There’s also a freshness and transparency advantage to shopping locally. Many Kansas City food makers operate on smaller production schedules, which often means:

• Shorter ingredient lists
• Fewer preservatives
• A direct relationship between the producer and the people eating the food

You may not always see the difference at first glance, but over time your body, and your taste buds, can tell when food is made with care.

The Brands You Can Find in Most Price Chopper Stores

Even though each Price Chopper store curates its own selection of local products a little differently, these are some of the local brands that appear in most stores.

Remember each store is built for its own unique neighborhood and so the selection of local products will vary by location, time of year and season. It is the intent for each store to reflect neighborhood tastes and mirror the relationship between store teams and their communities. 

These brands aren’t just products—they’re the edible history of Kansas City. They represent family businesses, legacy restaurants, immigrant entrepreneurs and creative makers who have helped put this city on the national food map.

One Grocery Store, Many Neighborhoods, One Local Mission

Price Chopper proves that being a locally owned grocery store is a responsibility to the community and the customers they serve. They’ve created a system where Kansas City food makers don’t just survive, they thrive. Each store tells a slightly different story about the community it serves, while still carrying the local brands that unite us as a city.

So the next time you’re cruising the aisles, take a second look at the shelf tags and labels. Every locally made product you put in your cart is a vote for Kansas City’s economy, its creative food culture, and the small businesses that make this city taste like home.

Jenny Vergara is a local food columnist for IN Kansas City Magazine, founder of Test Kitchen Underground Supperclub and co-host of the Hungry For MO podcast. She is a respected food and beverage industry consultant and commercial real estate agent with Nomad Develops specializing in the hospitality sector.

Her goal is to make you hungry! Find her on Facebook and Instagram.