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Expiration Date Guidelines

a tuna expiration date

Close Dated Products

We get great deals on a lot of our products because they are near or past date and most big box stores consider them to be unsellable. While the Health Department approves the sale of products up to one year past their expiration date, we generally only sell products up to six months past their expiration dates with a few exceptions. Below are some expiration dates guidelines we use to determine if a product is still okay to sell.

Shelf Stable Groceries

Always “in date”

  • In addition to our produce, deli, and bulk food products, there are a couple categories of discount groceries that we won’t sell once they reach their expiration date.
  • Baby products and anything with drug facts will get pulled on their expiration dates.

1 Month

We sell dairy based milk in cartons (not refrigerated) for up to 1 month past it’s expiration date. These products will get discounted at their expiration date.

3 Months

We sell the products in the following categories for 3 months past their expiration date. These products will get discounted once they’re 2 months past their expiration date.

  • Chips
  • Mayo & Miracle Whip
  • Mayo Based Products (Tartar Sauce)
  • Milk in Cartons (WITHOUT Dairy)
  • Soft Tortillas
  • Mexican Dinners with Soft Tortillas

6 Months

We sell most of our “salvage” groceries for up to 6 months past their expiration date and we’ll discount them after 5 months. This is only for our “dry groceries” and doesn’t include refrigerated or frozen products.

  • Vitamins
  • Supplements
  • Chocolate w/ Nuts
  • Popped Popcorn
  • Canned Milk
  • Crackers
  • Cookies
  • All other groceries not mentioned elsewhere

11 Months

There’s a number of categories that maintain freshness for longer so we’ll sell them for up to 11 months past their expiration date. These products will get discounted after ten months.

  • Coffee
  • Oils
  • Seasonings
  • Candy (Including gum)
  • Drinks

1 Year

We sell pet food for up to 1 year past it’s expiration date. These products will get discounted once they’re 11 months past their expiration date.

Refrigerated Groceries

While we don’t sell refrigerated groceries quite as long after they expire as we do “dry groceries,” you may still find some that have past their expiration date. All products sold in the cooler will get discounted once they reach their expiration date.

Always “in date”

  • All cookie dough and refrigerated meats get discounted and moved to our freezer when they reach their expiration date.
  • Any Baby/Tot Food
  • Kombucha
  • Lunch Kits w/ Meat
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Meat Based Salads

2 Days

  • Creamer W/ Dairy
  • Egg Nog
  • Half & Half
  • Milk/Milk Based Drinks
  • Whipped Cream
  • Whipping Cream

5 Days

  • Lactose Free Milk
  • Ultra-Pasteurized Milk

14 Days

  • Biscuits
  • Bread Products
  • Butter/Margarine
  • Cooked Eggs
  • Cottage Cheese
  • Cream Cheese
  • Cultured Dairy
  • Cultured Milk Drinks
  • Dairy Dressing
  • Dairy, Cream, and Yogurt Dips
  • Dough Products
  • Fruits and Vegetables
  • Guacamole
  • Hard Boiled Eggs
  • Hash Browns
  • Hummus
  • Lunch Kits (w/0 Meat)
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Muffins
  • Non-dairy Dips
  • Non-dairy Yogurt
  • Normal Dated Cheese – Doesn’t include cheese sold in our deli. Cheese sold in the deli will always be in date.
  • Pasta
  • Pasta Salad
  • Pasta Sauce
  • Potato Salad
  • Prepared Meals
  • Pudding/Jello
  • Reddi Whip
  • Salsa
  • Soup
  • Sour Cream
  • Vegan meats and cheeses
  • Yogurt

30 Days

  • Kefir
  • Milk Alternatives (Soy, Nut, etc.)
  • Non-dairy Coffee
  • Non-dairy Creamer
  • Non-dairy Drinks
  • Non-dairy Dressing
  • Non-dairy Whips and Creams
  • Raw Eggs
  • Sauces
  • Tea

90 Days

  • Pickles
  • “Refrigerate After Opening” Products

Frozen Groceries

When items in the freezer are 11 months past the expiration date they will be pulled from the shelf and sent back to the warehouse.

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