Food Basics – Ottawa

Yesterday, I purchased groceries at your store, including a Tropicana juice. After returning home, I noticed that the product had expired on February 15.
I kindly ask that you pay closer attention to verifying the expiration dates of items on your shelves to ensure product quality and customer safety. I hope this matter will be addressed promptly to prevent similar issues in the future.

I really like this store and shop here often. Unfortunately, I’ve had issues with the beef quality — it looks fine at first, but once opened, there were green spots. This has happened twice. Other than that, I’m happy with the store

This location has brought me so much convenience and time saving. It’s small but big enough for downtown. Staff is professional and friendly. You always find someone when you need assistance. It’s great to have limitless self-checkout, meaning there is no restriction on the # of items.
I don’t like the rewards program though. Not attractive enough for me. It suggests products i never buy or buy on extremely rare occasions. The app is fine. Maybe having a section “Canadian only” could be good.
For the past 3 weeks, i cannot find these cereals at all. The chocolate option to be precise. Whenever i ask, they don’t know. The product is still listed for online shopping though. But i don’t shop online for the little groceries I buy. Is it discontinued? Or out of stock? Restocking is delayed with the weather? I just want to know so I adjust myself.
1 recommendation is to have a milk bottle program, with brands such as Organic Meadow or Harmony Organic. Both brands, amongst others, are Canadian and their glass bottles are returnable (2$). A great way to promote local farmers and recycle.
Bring more Canadian made. Promote Canadian made. Offer better prices for Canadian made.
Great staff. Thanks!

Since the downtown Ottawa Food Basics opened at the end of August, I’ve been doing most of my grocery shopping here. It’s only three blocks from where I live, and so far, I’ve been impressed.

The promotions are exceptional, and as someone who has been a long-time customer of both Food Basics and its parent company Metro, I’ve always appreciated their loyalty program. Item-for-item, I’ve compared prices with Independent and Farm Boy, and this location consistently comes out the least expensive for a household of two adults. For about $120, I can easily cover lunch and dinner for a full week, including meats like steak, chicken, pork, and bacon, plus staples, lunch meats, and other necessities.

The only downside is the store layout—it’s a bit oddly shaped—and the fact that there aren’t quite enough cashiers during busy hours. When I have fewer than 10 items, I’ll use the self-checkout, but for bigger shops I prefer a cashier. It’s always more pleasant to have a little chit-chat with the staff.

Overall, this is a fantastic location with great prices. If you shop here, don’t forget to load your offers onto your loyalty card—you’ll be surprised by how much you can save.

Just opened! New and shiny! Awesome new addition to downtown! Veenus was quick and efficient, and gave us a warm welcome to the store 🤗