Fareway Stores, Inc. is an Iowa grocery chain with locations in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The chain’s presence has grown in the Des Moines metro area over the past few years, and you can now find 18 stores within a 20-mile radius in Central Iowa, including two locations in Ankeny, and two in Des Moines, plus stores in Urbandale, Clive, Johnston, Grimes, West Des Moines, Waukee, and Altoona.
What is Fareway known for?
Fareway is known for its full-service meat counter and USDA Choice beef, along with its farm-fresh produce. It values its customers and aims to treat them like family. Employees will unload your cart, bag your groceries carefully with similar items, carry them outside for you, AND help load them in your car. Since the very first store opened in Boone in 1938, Fareway Stores have been closed on Sundays, believing that its employees, customers, and partners deserve a day at home with their families.
Why do I shop at Fareway?
Fareway is near and dear to my heart. In my small Northwest Iowa hometown, it was one of only two grocery stores. It was my family’s go-to shopping location, where we’d stop at least 2-3 times a week. The employees knew us by name. When it was time to find my first job in high school, Fareway was my first choice. I worked there until I started college. Because of that, I’m probably more familiar with the store than the average shopper. Every time I step inside a store, it reminds me of home.
My Go-To Items
The farm-fresh produce is always my first stop. The selection, freshness, and quality are always top-notch. The meat counter is also one of my go-to stops. The employees behind the meat counter go above and beyond to get you the best cuts in just the right size and will package them in whatever size you need.
Tips, Tricks, and Mom Hacks
Fareway does its own price matching, hanging up sale signs matching a competitor’s price on a particular item that week. For those of us who don’t take time to compare prices, you can’t beat that. I’ve been told that their sales tend to go in three-month cycles, so when you find one of your staples or pantry items on sale, be sure to stock up while it’s on sale. If you plan to shop at Fareway regularly, you should definitely check out their coupon app and also download Ibotta, a free rebate app that pays you cash for buying your favorite products.
My favorite thing about the store
I love the hand-drawn sales signs, the tidy, well-stocked shelves, and friendly employees. Fareway is focused on building relationships with its customers and it’s not hard to see that when you shop there.
Why I recommend Fareway
Fareway is a classic grocery shopping experience where you won’t be overwhelmed by choices, but you’ll still have plenty of options to choose from. And if you ever want or need something different, the employees will help you find it or tell you when it will be back in stock.
Locations:
This post is part of Des Moines Moms Blog’s Ultimate Guide to Grocery Shopping. This is not a sponsored post, all opinions are our own.
I’m a Fareway shopper all the way too! I think their prices are the best compared to other grocery stores and their generic Fareway brand is very good. We had some out of state friends visit this past weekend and I didn’t realize how much “Fareway” brand items I bought til one of them asked if Fareway was a local grocery store. 🙂