Unlike the continuing trend of the big two to create a sterile and uninspiring grocery shop some of…read morethe Foodlands in SA are taking a different tack and are giving you a gourmet experience whilst you collect the weeks supplies. This Foodland is one of three that are embracing organic produce, wider range of locally sourced produce and less demanding impulse buys. I will generally source most of my shopping from farmers markets and local butchers but for my main shop for everything I will come here to get all those other daily needs. I can't tell you how happy it makes me to support a local business but I do have a tendency to pat myself on the back regularly :)

Food shopping is not high up on everyone's list of fun things to do (it's on mine, but them I'm a…read morelittle bit quirky). So, to hear so many people rave about Foodland means they must be doing something right. Friends that live in Norwood think they have the best Foodland. Same with those living in Mitcham. I'm a huge fan of my local at Frewville and this is my review, so I can say wholeheartedly, I think Frewville tops them all! I've been shopping here for six years and drop in two to three times a week. It had a major renovation in 2011 which has turned it from a daggy site with a great selection of produce, to a sensational, modern site with an array of quality products and a strong focus on local producers. Foodland are big supporters of South Australian products and offer a great range. The foodies I know will often shop here if they can't make it to Grote Street (or can't face the parking hassles) and I know why. I've picked up stuff here that I've never seen in a Woollies or Coles, such as Persian fairy floss or yiros meat in the freezer section. There's even an entire corner at the entrance of the store dedicated to fine foods. The small goods and cheeses available rival the Central Markets (big call, I know, but I stand by it) and there is a dedicated organic fruit and vege stand at the entrance. The staff always have a great attitude and are of all ages and give the impression they genuinely enjoy their job. With the renovation they've introduced a mini cafe at the entrance that offers espresso coffee, lunch items (rolls, wraps etc) and biscuits and cakes. There are a few tables near the checkouts and despite their odd position, there is almost always someone sitting at one of them sipping a coffee or having a bite to eat as I leave. On the odd occasion when a special is too good to forgo, I'll slip over to the nearby Woollies at Arkaba, but generally, you'll find me here, supporting a local company who supports local small business.

One of my main call cards for Norwood is to get my shopping done at yet another amazing Foodland…read more Now, this particular Foodland is one of the biggest of the Romeo Group. Set in the heart of Norwood shopping district and with a huge fan base, this groceries store has everything to offer. You are greeted at the entry by the large Deli section, fully stocked with the most amazing cheeses, meats, salads, roast chickens and seafood. All the produce is fresh and ready to be packaged up for you to take home. The staffs in the deli section are always busy! You will need to reach for a number as I almost guarantee you will need to wait your turn. They are happy for you to try different sliced meats and olives, so do not hesitate to ask to assist with your decision. As for the fruit and veg, it is generally well priced and fresh. You will find a good organic produce section here with a larger than normal. The fruit and veg are always arranged quite neatly and during the busy periods you will find staff constantly re-stocking. Like most Romeo Foodlands, you will find a very diverse range of products from around the world and a lot of locally sourced goods. They are very South Australian proud and I have found the most amazing local products here. One thing to mention about this store is the amazing bakery section. The bread, rolls, pastries and cakes are all of very high quality and are baked daily. You will find all different types of sourdoughs, rye, baguettes, pizzas, loafs, etc... I absolutely love the rye rolls here! Goes down well with cream cheese from the deli, avocado and Hahndorf Harris Smoked Salmon from the fridge section. Thanks Romeos for supporting South Australia!

Please keep your loose food clean. I don't enjoy eating squashed spiders in the rice crackers.at…read moreall.

Open for just shy of 2 weeks, this is the sister shop of the extremely popular Newton store. I…read morevisited with my mum and grandmother and we all adored it. I push the trolley and mum darts around grabbing what we need. I'm a nuisance and a savior, because I always put extra stuff that mum finds at the checkout but then I always push the trolley. The store itself is clean and well presented (just like Newton) but far more spacious and full of more stock. Not just fruit & vegetables but also continental meats, cheese, frozen foods, nuts & chocolates, everything your heart could desire. There is also the largest range of delicious Beerenberg jams and spreads I've ever seen. Tucked away in the corner is their very own florist and the girls are so lovely & the arrangements are the freshest and most colourful at affordable prices. So when you've finished your weekly shop you can stop next door for a delicious coffee & cake. I'll always be a Newton girl but this store is worth the extra travel.

I no longer have to traipse up to Newton to get a great selection of fruit and veg plus!…read moreReminiscent of Brisbane's James Street Market concept, Tony and Mark's is brilliant. The staff are friendly, they smile, they are helpful, they know their products and the produce is good quality... and they have figs!

Great foodland in north Adelaide village has a large verity at a reasonable price surprising for…read morethe location I love it here staff are super friendly, except for two lady's. One of them is a checkout lady that only says hello to females hmmmmmm unless if your an elderly male & the other is in the deli department who just ignored me all together. Oh well the others are super nice and polite though

Not your typical grocery store…read more.. I'll cut to the chase: probably the best supermarket in town for bargains. Weird, I know, since it caters for an upscale market. Best I can figure, rich people don't buying discounted meat/produce. Cool beans. Which leaves more old meat for the rest of us! If you're into that sort of thing. I once discovered a half strawberry (clean cut) in a reduced punnet, where presumably the bruised part had been cut off. Easy peasy parking. Standing at the entrance to the North Adelaide Village, if you haven't been in you'll probably think to yourself: "there's a supermarket in there?" Enter the "stucco cave." Ohhh "the switch..." If you're paying by card, the EFTPOS screen displays "checking" and "savings" on the opposite side of their respective buttons... It's like rubbing your tummy and patting your head, you actually need to stop and think about it. Top pick: Dansish fetta, $8.99/kg from the deli Beans... Cool... Beans, Cool... Cool Beans.

Metro always have an amazing seasonal collection of fruits and vegetables at real good prices! If…read moreit's in season it will probably be cheaper than the foodland around the corner. I also love that they stock yoghurt shop and have a good range of nuts. They also stock a range of salads/fruit salads; however I've never tried these. The best specials seem to be out the front of the store, and I've been eyeing up the huge bags of walnuts ($10!) all season (life of a food blogger hey!). The only downer would be that the cashier staff (although I'm sure everyone works everywhere, I always get served by the same lady) are a bit sour. I can deal. Probably. No, I can deal, this place is far too much of a frequent visit to over-think this stuff.

Better quality fruit and veg than Foodland has around the corner. Typically on par with Foodland's…read moreprices or sometimes even cheaper. Very helpful and friendly staff.

When I moved to my new 'hood earlier this year, more than one person told me "Oh, you'll be able to…read moreshop at Fairview Green, they have a really good Foodland there". It's true, it is one of the high-end Romeo's Foodlands and boasts an impressive deli section, a huge selection of antipastos, cheeses and luxe platter ingredients, smoked salmon and nibbly things. They stock speciality ranges of nice foodie gifty things like Maggie Beer products and a large range of T2 teas. I was also impressed with the large self-serve selection of lollies and chocolates. Apparently there are nuts, dried fruits and bulk grainy things too somewhere amongst the choc-covered honeycomb and lolly snakes. You don't get pick and mix in my old 'hood, where "self-serve" largely equates to "dacking a block of Cadbury's and sauntering out swigging from a can of Mother you also haven't paid for". Interestingly, and conveniently, they also have an in-house café which does a variety of breakfast and café selections with regular changing specials and a tempting display case of sweet treats. Add this to the big bakery section right alongside and you have danger, Will Robinson, danger! You can also pick up a takeaway coffee from here (should you not be mystifyingly off coffee at the moment) and place it in the specially-designed coffee holder on your trolley as you complete your shop. It's busy on a weekend when full of customers who can best be described as ditherers. It doesn't matter what random item you're after; a potato peeler, a can of three-bean mix or a carton of Zymil skimmed milk, somebody will be standing in front of it making a big life decision. If you can come during the week, you'll have an easier time of it and the lines won't be as long. I don't often do a full shop here as I find the baby selection isn't as large or competitively-priced as the bigger chains but it is an excellent spot for top-up shops and a weekend brunch.

Love love love the new bakery!…read more Nothing makes me happier than being able to buy fresh haloumi or garlic veggie patties from the deli counter. Excellent range with great prices. (ETA - the hubby insist I add that they also sell many delicious cupcakes at the bakery counter for $1 each ... His fav chocolate mud ... I'd have to agree)

Great place to 'shop local' as the saying goes! The recent…read moreextension has enabled a greater variety of foods to be carried and their cheese section is now extensively delicious! The new bakery is to die for with a wonderful range of fresh crusty bread and calorific cakes! The staff are always friendly and courteous and it's generally a joy to shop here. All the manager needs to do is learn how to smile .....

Yes the rumours are true. If you were at the opening of The Market Shed last Sunday you too…read moreprobably would have seen me walking around like a pug in a bacon shop. Wide eyed, unable to breath properly from heart palpitations because "can't talk...too excited..." This place has gathered everything I love about Adelaide and plonked it into the trendiest warehouse shed thing at the back of IGA on Gilbert St. It's even run by the same SA family! Every Sunday from 9am-2pm this shed will open its doors to stallholders who want to sell their wares. From bakers to vegan cafes, coffee shops, seedling stalls and more this little collective of organic, vegan, raw and healthy food is all a bit too much for me. Want to try some kombucha? Hells yeah! How about a freshly steamed mussel from the coast of SA? Ok! It's like a farmers market but smaller, less crowded (not for long I'm sure) and is 5 minutes from my home so wins 5 stars in my books. So why only 4 stars then? I do think there needs to be more fresh fruit and veg options and a bit more diversity in stalls for people like me who want to do their week's shop here (ie. 3 bakeries in the one small location is a bit much). I am officially signed up as a Market Member already and for $20 per annum you get invited to private events at The Shed, receive discounts at stalls and a cool chopping board for progressive tasting plate specials from stalls each weekend. So if you have nothing to do next Sunday and want to see a spectacle, come on down to the Market Shed to see your resident pug faced, over excited local shopping, slurping coffee and getting her organic on.

I may be accused of being biased but I was very impressed with the owners, organisers &…read morestall-holders of The Market Shed on Holland. There in only it's third market I found a variety of stalls & very enthusiastic producers - all of whom were willing to spend the time with every customer. A face-painter (only $3!) and musos at each corner of the space added to the enthusiastic vibe - tangible despite a couple of summer showers that may have kept larger hoardes of customers away. Despite it's small(er) size (of comparative markets such as the Adelaide Farmers Showgrounds Market) of 20-30 stalls, the array of stalls and the promises of more to come (think weekend evening members activities) have got my vote. Visit during 2013 to become a member for an amazing introductory price of $20 & support Adelaide's newest market with an organic, artisan & community focus!