When a newcomer from Ukraine visits a large supermarket in Edmonton for the first time, they often experience mixed feelings of liberation and disappointment at the same time. On the one hand, there is a huge selection of products, amazing organization, impeccable cleanliness, and refrigerators filled with everything imaginable. On the other hand, the shelves look unfamiliar, and figuring out which ingredients to choose for borscht or where to find the right flour for a pie becomes a real challenge. However, most of Edmonton's major supermarkets understand that the city has residents with a strong attachment to European, and especially Eastern European, food, and so they have actively expanded their international sections and special purchases to make the shopping experience less frustrating for Ukrainians and other Europeans.
Save-On-Foods: an affordable alternative with a strong international section
Save-On-Foods, a Canadian supermarket with numerous locations throughout Edmonton, has become one of the most independent chains for people looking for Eastern European products. One of their flagship stores is located at 8124 112th Avenue on the north side of the city, but more importantly, the company has implemented a special philosophy regarding its international departments. Unlike some competitors who only fanatically offer Asian fatty foods, Save-On-Foods has strategically invested in the Eastern European cultural segment.
At Save-On-Foods, you can find special sections for European goods, including high-calorie flour, which remains one of the most sought-after ingredients among new Ukrainians. They also have a wide selection of canned vegetables, including cucumbers and tomatoes in brine, which are essential for preparing Ukrainian dishes at home. In addition, some Save-On-Foods locations carry frozen varenyky and holubtsi, which are locally produced, although the quality and taste often depend on which location you visit. Customer reviews consistently suggest that Save-On-Foods has one of the most diverse collections of spices in the retail corridor, allowing you to order items such as suneli hops, ground currants, and other traditional Ukrainian spices without having to visit specialty supermarkets.
Depending on the location, Save-On-Foods also carries karasinizovana milk and cottage cheese, which are sometimes found in the refrigerated sections. Although their assortment varies from store to store, the chain as a whole understands the importance of a multi-ethnic approach to their purchasing, especially for cities with significant Ukrainian and Eastern European populations.
Safeway: Tradition and Stability
Safeway, another major player in the Canadian supermarket scene, has a presence throughout Edmonton with dozens of locations, from the south end of the city to the north. Although Safeway has traditionally been seen as a more “Canadian” supermarket, in recent years the company has significantly expanded its international departments, recognizing the growing demand for Eastern European products.
On its website, Safeway explicitly advertises its international marketing materials, emphasizing that they have “hundreds of options” for international products, including oils, spices, canned goods, and various sauces. For Ukrainians, this often means that you can walk into your local Safeway and find the right milk, flour, salt, and other basic items without much searching. In addition, some Safeway locations offer frozen Ukrainian dishes such as varenyky and holubtsi, produced by local Ukrainian entrepreneurs who supply their products directly to the retail chain.
On the first Tuesday of the month, Safeway offers a special promotion of “15 percent off purchases over $50,” making it a great opportunity for people who plan their big shopping trips for that day. In addition, their points collection system and loyalty program (Safeway's Loyalty Program) allow customers to accumulate points that can later be exchanged for discounts and special offers.
Sobeys: regional variations and special stocks
Sobeys, another of Canada's three major supermarket players, also has several locations in Edmonton. Although Sobeys is sometimes seen as a slightly more expensive alternative to Safeway and Save-On-Foods, the company has consistently expanded its international aisles to serve a diverse range of demographics. At numerous Sobeys locations, you can find frozen Ukrainian food, including varenyky and holubtsi, which are also often produced by local Ukrainian entrepreneurs.
In addition, Sobeys has developed a strategy of direct partnership with local frozen food producers, which means that the quality is often higher than that of some competitors. Several years ago, Sobeys began selling “Sobeys Own” frozen cabbage and varenyky, which many customers reported were of satisfactory quality for everyday use. Although the segment has not become as popular as specialized Ukrainian stores, it shows that Sobeys is willing to cater to the tastes of the local population.
H&W Produce: fruits, vegetables, and unexpected treasures
H&W Produce, a locally owned chain of specialty fruit and vegetable stores with over a dozen locations in Edmonton and surrounding areas (including Calgary and Sherwood Park), often remains on the fringes of the consciousness of people who shop at major supermarkets. However, for people, especially Ukrainians, looking for fresh produce, H&W Produce is a real treasure. The store is located at 6120 Terrace Rd NW and has several other locations, including those in Calgary and Sherwood Park.
H&W Produce specializes in imported fresh produce, including seasonal fruits and vegetables from Europe, America, and other regions of the world. In addition, they carry a small selection of non-American products, including some canned goods and dry goods that are often sought after by people from the diaspora. Numerous locations are open Monday through Sunday, Monday through Friday until 8:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday until 5:00 or 6:00 p.m., making a trip to H&W Produce very convenient.
In addition, H&W Produce often offers weekly specials, especially on fruits and vegetables used by Ukrainians in their traditional recipes. You can often find specific tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, and other items at prices lower than those of competitors. For those planning to cook borscht or other dishes for large gatherings, H&W Produce allows you to purchase in bulk at reasonable prices.
K&K Foodliner: European specialist in German style
K&K Foodliner, located at 9944 82 Ave on Whyte Avenue in Edmonton, is a true European treasure, although it is better known for its German specialty items than Ukrainian ones. However, for people looking for general Eastern European goods, K&K Foodliner remains a must-visit destination.
K&K Foodliner was founded in 1956 by the German Krause family when Albert Krause, a master sausage maker from Bavaria, moved to Canada with his brother. The company initially had three locations across Edmonton, but in the 1980s, when large supermarkets began to open, two locations closed, leaving only one on Whyte Avenue. Instead of closing its doors, the Krause family decided to reorient the store toward European imports, particularly German, but also Polish, Austrian, Swiss, and other Eastern European products.
Today, K&K Foodliner offers over 120 different types of sausages, including Bavarian Belewurst (veal sausages), garlic sausages, Speckwurst, and the modern favorite for many, currywurst. In addition to sausages, K&K Foodliner has a huge selection of premium meat products, including cold cuts, smoked meats, and other delicacies. They also offer a huge collection of German chocolates, cookies, jams, and other sweet treats.
For Ukrainians, although K&K Foodliner is understood more as a German store, it is a great place to find items that often overlap with Ukrainian needs. For example, many sausages at K&K Foodliner are similar to Ukrainian ones, with the exception of certain specialties. In addition, they have a wide selection of canned vegetables, pickles, and other items that are often used in both German and Ukrainian cuisine. K&K Foodliner also actively collaborates with Calgary-based company Edelweiß to import products directly from Europe, which means that their inventory is constantly updated and changes depending on the season.
European Market and Produce: A Specialized Eastern European Store
European Market and Produce, located at 6607 177 Street in the Callingwood neighborhood on the west side of the city, has been described as a “real treasure trove” for those looking for authentic Eastern European goods. Unlike large supermarkets, European Market and Produce is a small, specialty shop owned by Larisa Stirt, which opened about 14 years ago. Stirt described how she opened the shop after the daycare centre where she worked closed, and she wanted to provide Edmonton with a different, more exotic shopping experience.
European Market and Produce specializes in imported goods from Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Croatia, and other Eastern European countries. The store is modest in size, about 300 square feet, making it more intimate and easier to navigate than large supermarkets. On the shelves, you'll find hundreds of boxes of sweets with foreign labels, fresh produce from a specialty dealer, and an extensive European deli section.
When asked about the most popular items, Stirt didn't even have to think about it. “Sweets! Sweets, dry goods, and caviar, definitely,” she said. In addition, products imported from Russia and Ukraine are very popular. European Market and Produce also offers a wide selection of deli meats, including smoked meats, sausages, and other appetizers, as well as dairy products, including 20 percent sour cream, cottage cheese, kefir, imported cheeses, and other European dairy products.
Italian Centre Shop: An Unexpected Alternative Partner for Ukrainians
Italian Centre Shop, located in several locations throughout Edmonton (including Little Italy at 10878 95 Street and South Edmonton at 5028 104a Street), as well as in Sherwood Park, turns out to be an unexpected ally for Ukrainians looking for their traditional goods. Although the name of the Italian shop may suggest that it focuses on Italian food (which indeed makes up the majority of their stock), in recent years the company has significantly expanded its international offerings.
Most notably, Italian Centre Shop has become the official retail partner of DON'YA Ukraine's Kitchen, Canada's first kitchen run entirely by Ukrainian newcomers. In 2024, DON'YA began selling frozen Ukrainian dishes on the shelves of Italian Centre Shop, making it its first official retail outlet. This means that you can purchase authentic homemade varenyky, holubtsi, borscht, and other dishes that meet the highest quality standards right in an Italian store.
In addition to DON'YA, Italian Centre Shop has also developed a regional partnership with local Ukrainian food producers, which means that the website and physical stores often have other frozen Ukrainian foods and specific European items. Furthermore, the Italian shop has a specialized European section where you can find canned vegetables, various flavor specialties, and other imported goods. In addition to frozen food and canned items, Italian Centre Shop also has a deli section that often includes some European meat products.
Costco: A Wholesale Alternative for Big Purchases
Costco, a wholesale membership club located in several locations in the Edmonton area, is an unexpected treasure trove for Ukrainians who do large purchases for their homes. Although Costco does not specialize in European food like specialty stores, they often have significant discounts on basic items that Ukrainians buy regularly.
At Costco, you can find large quantities of flour, various types of milk, eggs, butter, black currants, and other basic ingredients at prices lower than those found in traditional supermarkets. In addition, some Costco locations carry frozen vegetables, including cabbage and other items needed to prepare Ukrainian dishes. For people who cook to order or cook for large family gatherings, Costco often offers the best wholesale deals.
In recent years, with the growing interest in Ukrainian products in both Canada and the US, Costco has begun experimenting with direct imports of some Ukrainian chocolates and other specialty items. While its supply and demand often vary depending on location and season, it is still worth checking out.
Farmers Markets: An Alternative to Supermarkets
In addition to traditional supermarkets, Edmonton has several farmers' markets that offer Ukrainian goods, often directly from local producers. Bountiful Farmers Market, which takes place at various locations throughout the year (especially during the warmer months), often has several stands with Ukrainian products, including frozen varenyky, holubtsi, and other traditional dishes.
Strathcona Farmers Market, located in the Strathcona neighborhood on the north side of the city, also often has Ukrainian vendors with homemade varenyky and other dishes. Callingwood Farmers Market on the west side of the city, located in the Callingwood Shopping Centre at 69 Ave and 177 St, also regularly offers Ukrainian goods.
These farmers' markets often offer advantages that supermarkets do not. First, you can talk directly to the people who make the food, learn about their recipes and stories, and ask for cooking recommendations. Second, prices are often competitive or even lower than supermarkets because there are no middlemen. Third, the quality is often higher because people make food with love and tradition rather than as a purely commercial operation.
Strategy for successfully shopping for Ukrainian products in supermarkets
Now that you know which supermarkets offer Ukrainian products in Edmonton, here are some tips for successful shopping. First, start with the big supermarkets (Save-On-Foods, Safeway, Sobeys) for basic items such as flour, milk, butter, eggs, and other everyday goods. At these supermarkets, you will usually find exactly what you need at reasonable prices. In addition, take advantage of their loyalty programs and special offers to save money.
Second, visit H&W Produce specifically for fresh fruits and vegetables. Their prices are often much lower than their competitors, especially if you are willing to choose based on what is in season and of high quality at the moment. In addition, they often have special offers on items needed for Ukrainian recipes.
Third, visit K&K Foodliner or European Market and Produce for specialty items. While they may be a little more expensive for basic items, they often have unique products that you can't find in supermarkets, including specialty sausages, canned goods, and other delicacies. In addition, the staff at these stores often speak a language that may be one of your languages, or at least understand your culture, making the shopping experience more comfortable.
Fourth, don't forget the Italian store for frozen Ukrainian food and other imported goods. Also, visit farmers' markets when they are open to get the best quality and prices for Ukrainian goods produced by local manufacturers.
Conclusion: Navigating the European food landscape in Edmonton
The path to finding authentic Ukrainian goods in Edmonton supermarkets can often seem daunting and frustrating for newcomers. However, as you can see, the city has an extremely well-developed network of supermarkets, specialty stores, farmers' markets, and other shopping destinations that understand the needs of their community and actively work to meet them. From Save-On-Foods with its thoughtfully expanded international section to K&K Foodliner with its century-old heritage of European food, from European Market and Produce with its small, specialized collection to Italian Centre Shop with its partnership with DON'YA, the options are truly there.
The key to success is understanding that no single supermarket or store will have everything you need. Instead, the best approach is to combine shopping at several locations. Buy your staples at large supermarkets where prices are lowest, but also take the time to visit specialty shops, farmers' markets, and Italian shops to purchase specialty items and the highest quality frozen foods. This way, you'll get the best of both worlds: the cheapest prices and the highest quality.
The bottom line is that Edmonton, with its rich Ukrainian heritage and diverse population, has enough infrastructure in place to make it easy for people to find the products they need to maintain their culture and traditions. While Canadian supermarkets may never fully replace brick-and-mortar stores in Ukraine, they have played an important role in the adaptation process and helped people stay connected to their heritage even as they started new lives in a foreign country.