Sophomore Mitch Hustad has shopped for groceries at plenty of places around Eau Claire. But he said Copps Food Center, 3310 E. Hamilton, is his favorite.

“I find the cheapest deals on stuff because I got a Copps Card,” he said.

Eau Claire is loaded with grocery-shopping options, varying in price, hours, selection and location. Major outlets, like Target, 3649 S. Hastings Way, and Wal-Mart, 3915 Gateway Dr., offer low prices (see info box), while Kerm’s, 329 Water St., and Ron’s Castle Foods, 1031 W. Clairemont Ave., have convenient locations.

Sophomore Mark Schuh said he prefers to shop at Festival Foods, 3007 Mall Dr.

“It seems they have more of a selection,” he said, also citing the prices and the fact that the store is open 24 hours.

Junior Anna Nolte, who lives on campus, said she goes to Ron’s Castle Foods for items she can’t get on her meal plan, such as a carton of orange juice or some chips and salsa. Price-wise, she said, she does better there than on campus.

Mike Walker, owner and manager of Kerm’s, said he thinks students shy away from his store because they think of it as expensive.

“Compared to some of the other stores in town, we’re not higher priced, especially if you look at some of our specials,” he said.

This week, for example, the store offers a free bottle of ketchup with every purchase of more than $15. Walker says the store does very little advertising but offers coupons in the store.

“I believe we have a higher quality product, in all our perishable departments especially,” he said.

Many grocery stores have savings club cards, offering discounts in exchange for storing purchase information electronically.

Customers fill out card applications in the store and can use the card immediately. Both Mega Pick ‘N’ Saves, for example, currently offer Ragu pasta sauce or 32-ounce boxes of Creamette pasta for 88 cents with a Preferred Card, and Copps is selling five boxes of Cheerios for $10 with a Key Savings Card.

Hustad said he keeps an eye on what he’s spending to save money.

“I always calculate how much I’m getting per dollar,” he said.

Schuh said he clips coupons. Walker advocates coupons as well.

“I know students don’t always do much with that,” he said, “but it’s good advice for people shopping any time.”