Grocery Prices

In the UK you can expect to pay at least double what anything would cost in the U.S. At least double ! And that includes all the items you mention. Last February I paid GBP 1.25 in Winchester for an avocado while they were to be had 2 for C$1.00 at home. In June in Paris last year, we found most fruits & vegetables to be about 50% more expensive than at home, cheese to be somewhat less expensive than French cheeses at home, soft drinks we never drink but wine in France is very affordable. Bottled water is cheap in grocery stores. Never buy it anywhere else or you'll pay 3 times as much. Bread is cheap in France and very, very good.

In France - bread and cheese will be quite cheap. Baguette .70 Euro and Brie for example 2 Euros. Cola - is always expensive - typically 1.5 litre will be about 1.70 Euros or approx $2.50. I would recommend bottle water instead 1.5 litre .65 Euro

Key is to shop seasonally in France for fruit and veggies which will keep the prices lower.

I've always thought grocery shopping in Switzerland...land of high prices...was pretty much the same as at home. Of course I shopped at Migros and Coop mostly.

So... again. What's the name list of countries? Off all Western European countries Germany has got the lowest prices. 1 liter of milk is around 65 cents. 750g of regular Cornflakes are €1.65 or so on average. 1.5 liters of mineral water (sparkling or still) are 19 cents at grocery stores. 2.5kg raw potatoes are 79 cents. A 2-pack of frozen Pizzas, regular size, average amount of toppings are around €2.60. A glass containing 5 hot dog saussages is 99 cents. 750g of sandwich or toast bread is around 55 cents.

Nate,

It depends where you buy them from.
There are large nation grocerie stores like in the US where is cheaper. In France look for Carfour, in Germany look for Aldi and Lidl.Very good prices.
In France you can get bread from small fruit & veggies markets or Boulangerie , but I can't remeber any prices.
Wine is really cheap in France, I was buying Bordeaux for 3.5 Eur ,not the cheapest, but much better then the expensive one here.

As far as what countries we will be traveling to, we intend to see as much of Europe as is possible in a two month whirlwind tour. My friends and I have eurail global passes, and plan to be on the move a lot. SO- information on ANY country you can give will be VERY appreciated. Sorry this is such a vague question, but any replies really will be helpful. Thanks again!

If you are bold enough, ask other young tourists on the train who seem to be in similar circumstances as you, what they do for food; ie, a particular food market in such & such town. You'll be surprised how imaginative & helpful they can be. If you want to go extraordinarily cheap in Paris & have access to a stove, go to a grocery store, buy a box of pasta, a jar of tomato sauce, and some cheap grated cheese. For 2 to 4 persons depending how big your appetites are, that meal goes for a total of 6e-8e. Good luck & don't worry about the food.

Nate, if you happen to be visiting Paris, here's a good site to investigate [see link below]. There is info on food and even sample menus from unusual restaurants. Some of these could be a culinary (good) experience of a lifetime!

...http://troi.cc.rochester.edu/~tdip/tomsguidetoparis.htm

bon voyage, Nate! ... P.

Buy local! Local food in general, is much cheaper than in the USA, especially wine, beer, bread, cheese and produce. But, for example, Roast Beef or seafood in Central Europe will likely be very expensive.
Shop like the locals, at the butcher, baker and the many farmer's markets.
Look up on the internet what stores are in the area you will be in, often you can download their flyers, giving you an idea of what stuff costs.
Like:
http://www.spar.at/
Consider that most Europeans still eat seasonal, you might be disappointed if you are looking for strawberries in March . . the produce sections of the stores will look very different than the ones in the USA, especially too because much of the produce will be 'Bio', and have dents and flaws . . But, oh the taste!!
Bon Appetit!

Please also consider when looking at the prices, that many prices are given per KILOGRAM, not per pound!!

I know this is all about keeping the "food" cost down, but if I had to buy pasta, tomato sauce and a little cheese to feed my family of four while in Europe, I would really be depressed and cry!

Surely one can get "local" picnic items that would still give you a taste of France/Belgium/Germany etc., and keep the price down.

Just my opinion. I would rather have baguettes, pastries, fruit, cheese, deli meats rather than the same old pasta/sauce stuff we can have here.