Walmarts in the Hudson Valley are loaded with healthy eats now, here's why

Move over, Whole Foods. Walmart of the Hudson Valley area is trying to steal the healthy-eating thunder.

If you've been to the Walmart in Kingston, New York, or even nearby Ellenville about 25 minutes to the south, you may have noticed something— the food options in the store's grocery section have gotten healthier, more upscale, and decidedly Whole Foods and Trader Joe's-like. You're not imagining things, and there's a reason why it's happening.

Produce section at local Walmart storeWalmart

"It's no secret that hundreds of thousands of new full-time residents moved to the Hudson Valley and greater Catskills are since the pandemic began," explains Ronnie James, a local retail scout based in Ulster County. "Most of the new residents came from New York City, especially Manhattan and Brooklyn, and they're willing to spend more on healthier, fresher, wellness-focused foods. For the same reason you'll see smaller displays of potato chips in the city, you're seeing that spill over into the Hudson Valley as well now."

But there's another reason the chips-and-soda culture here, and more specifically at local Walmarts, is diminishing while healthy eating and sustainability takes center stage— there simply is no major chain store competition for the healthy eating market.

"Closer to the city you'll notice lots of Trader Joe's locations, a smattering of Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh delivery, and other big-box chains that make it easy to find gluten-free this or that, small-batch dairy items, and organic snacking options. Up in the Hudson Valley we don't have that, and anyone who is from here knows Ulster County has not a single Trader Joe's to speak of. Right now if you want to check out any of these popular healthy-eating stores, you have to drive to Westchester County, Rockland County, Northern New Jersey, or all the way up to Albany, and most people don't want to do that."

It's something Ronnie says local buyers for Walmart and Target have taken advantage of, realizing the void in the market and filling it with fresh, boutique-level merchandise that appeals to ex-New York City residents. Locals have caught on, too.

"I used to make my weekly Trader Joe's run, and to be honest I miss it," says Kingston-area resident Hillary Felder. "When I lived in Brooklyn it was just easy and they had everything I wanted, but I'm noticing the prices at Walmart are way better, and now they have a lot of the yogurts, kombucha, and bagged salads I like, so I really don't mind switching my habits. Plus, the prices on things like paper towels and cleaning products can't be beat. I feel weird saying I'm into Walmart, but I live in the country now, so I guess I'm a Walmart girl now."

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If you're wondering which health-forward brands you can find Hudson Valley Walmart stores, some of Ronnie suggests looking for some of the following brands in-stores including Kingston, Ellenville, and Catskill super centers.

Clio Yogurt Bars

Clio bars are the hybrid between top-quality Greek yogurt, an ice cream-filled candy bar you'd find at a beach club, and your mom's advice to have more probiotics. They're the top-selling refrigerated snack brand and offer a dizzying array of health-forward options and flavors for the most discerning granola-types.

Clio Greek yogurt barsClio

And yes, they're at Walmart next to other refrigerated snacks, typically near the sour cream and cottage cheese offerings. Although they have the mouthfeel and taste of a premium ice cream bar, they're actually refrigerated snacks that lend well to packed lunches and on-the-go eating.

Eat Me Guilt Free High Protein Brownie

These high-protein brownies look pretty deceiving, and that's because they don't look nearly as packed with healthy ingredients as you might expect. "Walmart is a huge retailer, so it only makes sense that they are adding more better-for-you product lines to be part of the positive change," explains Eat Me Guilt Free founder and CEO, Cristie Besu, a former registered nurse and certified sports nutritionist. "We are pleased Walmart currently carries our best-selling flavors including Galazy, Tuxedo, and Chocolate."

Eat Me Guilt Free BrownieEMGF

These protein-packed goodies are more filling, substantial takes on everyone's favorite baked treats. Each brownie offers about 20 grams of protein, low-carb goodness, and about 200 calories that pairs just as well with your afternoon coffee as the sugar-laden versions you might be used to.

GT's Synergy Organic Kombucha Watermelon Wonder

GT's Synergy Organic Kombucha is a constant best-seller at Whole Foods stores across the nation, and now it's finally available in varying quantities across Ulster County, New York Walmart stores. You can typically find it in the refrigerated produce section in the same shelf space you'd find perishable salad dressings and pre-cut veggies. While each store has its own unique combination of available flavors, a recent trip to the Kingston store unearthed Cosmic Cranberry, Watermelon, and Guava flavors. The Ellenville selection was slightly smaller, but focused on the brand's core best sellers.

GT's KombuchaGT's Kombucha/Instagram

The cheap price has people coming back for more. Whole Foods charges about $4 per bottle of GT's, while Walmart boasts a $2.97 price tag that is over 25 percent less expensive.

"When you start seeing organic kombucha on Walmart shelves across the area, you know things are shifting," Ronnie says, adding that, "I joke, but kombucha it my litmus for how many Brooklynites are up here now. It's the perfect way to tell how popular Ulster County and the greater Hudson Valley has become with ex-New Yory City residents."

Have you noticed the influx of new, healthier brands in your local Walmart? We'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback in the comments section below.