Best for: One-stop shopping, late-night needs, and essentials

If you are coming from out of state, you may not be familiar with Meijer, but you will quickly learn why so many Michiganders love it. Meijer is one of the most convenient stores in the area because it combines a grocery store, pharmacy, department store, pet store, and officer supply store all in one place.

The East Lansing and Okemos Meijer locations stay open until midnight, making them especially helpful after evening classes, late nights study sessions, or last-minute needs.

Meijer has:

• Groceries

• Over-the-counter medicine

• School supplies

• Cleaning products

• Toiletries

• Household items

• Pet supplies

• Electronics and chargers

• Great international foods aisle

If you suddenly realize at 10:30 p.m. that you need cold medicine, printer paper, and groceries, Meijer will probably have all three, and not to mention they have great rotisserie chickens.

Curbside pickup available.

Best for: Traditional grocery shopping and familiar brands

Believe it or not, Kroger goes by many different names throughout the country. Depending on where you are from, you may already shop at one of its affiliated stores, including Ralphs, King Soopers, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Smith's, or Harris Teeter.

If you get easily overwhelmed by a large store like Meijer, which can definitely be overwhelming for some, or if you're looking for something more familiar, Kroger is a great option.

Kroger offers:

• National grocery brands

• Weekly sales and digital coupons

• Good produce selection

• Prepared foods

• Online ordering

Curbside pickup available.

Best for: Budget shopping

If your goal is saving money, Aldi is often the cheapest grocery option in East Lansing.

Aldi has:

• Fresh produce

• Eggs

• Milk

• Bread

• Cheese

• Pantry staples

• Frozen foods

Aldi generally has some of the least expensive produce in the area, making it a great option if you are trying to eat healthy while sticking to a student budget.

Curbside pickup available.

Best for: Quick meals and low-effort cooking

Some weeks, you simply will not want to cook. After several hours of reading, outlining, or preparing for class, deciding what to make for dinner can feel impossible.

Trader Joe's is especially popular law students because of its frozen meals, prepared foods, and easy meal options.

Trader Joe’s has:

• Frozen pasta dishes

• Dumplings

• Soups

• Salads

• Breakfast items

• Snacks

• Prepared meals

When you are in a pinch and do not want to think too deeply about dinner, Trader Joe's can make life much easier.

Best for: Meal prep and bulk snacks

If you enjoy meal prepping, Costco and Sam’s Club can help you save money on bulk purchases. Sam’s Club is often slightly cheaper than Costco, making it a great option for students trying to stretch their budget.

Popular items include:

• Chicken and other proteins

• Rice and pasta

• Frozen vegetables

• Snacks

• Bulk energy drinks for long study days

• Drinks

• Household supplies

These stores are especially useful for stocking up on snacks and energy drinks to get through busy weeks of classes and studying. Many students split memberships or divide larger purchases with roommates or classmates.

Sam’s Club has curbside pickup and Costco uses Instacart for Same-Day Delivery

A simple formula that works well for many students:

Protein (3 to 5 options)

• Chicken breast

• Ground turkey or beef

• Chicken thighs

• Fish or Shrimp

• Eggs

• Greek yogurt

• Cottage cheese

Vegetables (2 to 3 options)

• Spinach

• Broccoli

• Bell peppers

• Carrots (stay good the longest)

• Frozen vegetables (if you tend to forget groceries)

Fruit (2 to 3 options)

• Bananas

• Apples

• Berries

• Grapes (stay good the longest)

Carbohydrates (2 to 3 options)

• Rice

• Pasta

• Bread or tortillas

• Oatmeal

Snacks

• Granola bars

• Nuts

• Popcorn

• Cheese sticks

• Crackers

Easy Meals

• Frozen meals

• Soup

• Pasta sauce

• Trader Joe's prepared foods

A good rule of thumb is:

• 3 to 5 proteins

• 2 to 3 vegetables

• 2 to 3 fruits

• 2 to 3 carbohydrates

• Several easy prepared meals for busy weeks

Meijer, Kroger, Sam's Club and Aldi all offer curbside pickup.

During 1L, your time becomes incredibly valuable. The hour you spend walking through a grocery store might be the hour you need to finish a reading assignment, complete an outline, or simply get some sleep, and it’s even worse if you go when you’re hungry, since you’ll likely spend more time wandering and end up buying more than you need.

Curbside pickup allows you to:

• Place your order while studying.

• Avoid impulse purchases.

• Stay within your grocery budget.

• Pick up groceries between classes.

• Save time during memo deadlines and finals.

Curbside is especially beneficial during busy parts of the semester because it removes one more task from an already full schedule. You can use our sample list to create your own, or if you feel especially confused, give AI a budget and a few meals you like and ask it to make you a few different lists.