Global groceries

Sara Versluis

Foods availabe at local international grocers include produce, Oriental noodles, specialty beans, and sauces.

The tantalizing tastes of international foods are available at many restaurants in Harrisonburg. Options range from Indian (The Bombay Courtyard), Mexican (El Charro), and Vietnamese (Saigon Café).

Harrisonburg also boasts a host of international food stores specializing in Hispanic and Asian foods. These groceries offer foods such as rice noodles, tofu, specialty sauces and spices, beans, snacks and tortillas. Authentic ingredients for pad thai and arroz con frijoles are readily available.

Alternative groceries offer a variety of foods not sold at mainline stores. Kroger and Food Lion do sell some international and ethnic foods, but there is often less selection and higher prices. In general, prices at the international groceries in Harrisonburg are considerably less than chain supermarkets.

The international food stores range from small, two aisle shops to the Oriental Food Market's spacious store on High Street. Formerly located in a small shop adjacent to A Taste of Thai, the grocery moved to a new building on the other side of the parking lot. The new store offers a wider range of goods in a larger, well-lit space. There is plenty of room to maneuver a grocery cart.

The market is currently celebrating its grand opening. The move took place two weeks ago and some of the shelves are unstocked. Mexican sweetbreads and a relatively large selection of produce are two of the store's highlights.

La Colotlense is a smaller store located in a strip mall on South Main Street. The store sells Hispanic foods as well as music and cultural décor. Prices were comparable between it and the Oriental Food Market, although La Colotlense had a smaller selection of goods.

The Asian Market is found behind the Valley Mall. True to its name, it carries Oriental and Asian foods, including specialty vegetables. Tofu is available in bulk.

The international food stores around Harrisonburg do not allow for one stop shopping. The generally do not offer essentials such as milk, eggs and ice cream. Selection is not always the broadest, especially for those accustomed to the aisles of Kroger or Wal-Mart. Prices are not always prominently displayed and product labels are often written in Spanish or Chinese. The stores are small-scale and cannot offer the same services and consistency available at larger chains. Produce is generally not as fresh and shiny as other stores may offer.

The grocery stores offer an inexpensive way to expand one's diet while supporting local businesses. It is an easy way to practice Spanish and purchase low-priced rice, pasta and plantains. The international groceries do not offer the 24-hour convenience of Wal-Mart or Kroger, but many of them are open for a sizeable portion of the day.

Other food stores include El Dorado Mexican American Grocery and Mi Mercadito. El Dorado is located north of Harrisonburg on Highway 11. Mi Mercadito is also located on Highway 11, south of downtown. Harrisonburg also has a Mexican bakery. Mora's Bakery supplies pan dulce and other baked goods and can be found near the Food Lion on Highway 33.