Grocery Shopping in Italy

Yes, you can go grocery shopping in Italy and cook your own food.  Some grocery stores even have prepared foods that you can heat and eat.  You’ll want to brush up on your food vocabulary before you go so that you can find what you are looking for more easily.

Look for a small plastic hand basket as you enter.  You won’t find wire shopping carts like we have in the United States. It's a good idea to shop for only a few days of food.  Most refrigerators in Italy are much smaller than their American counterparts.

Be prepared for food items to be organized a bit differently than you expect.  For example, eggs are not in the refrigerator section.

When shopping for produce you should look for the box of free plastic gloves.  Put one on before touching the produce, give the produce a good look, then pick up only the fruit or vegetable you wish to purchase.  Place your selection into the plastic produce bag.  Many places will expect you to put it on the scale and punch in the number of the item.  A tag will be printed that you place on the bag.  No squeezing, pinching, or sniffing.  The produce in Italy is wonderful and the staff keeps are careful eye on things, being sure that only good produce is offered for sale. 

There are grocery bags available at every register but you will pay extra if you need them.  Carry your own bag along with you and you can save money and the environment.

Most times you will be able to see your total you owe on the cash register.  If you don’t understand the clerk ask him or her to repeat what they said.  Some will turn point out the number on the register or move so you can see it.

Smile at your check out clerk and remember to say Arrivederci as you leave.