A can of Progresso soup for 85 cents sounds like a price tag from a faded family photo, yet it is sitting on a real shelf in rural Wisconsin right now. The store selling it does not advertise much, and it looks more like a quiet country building than a shopping destination.
Families drive an hour each way to fill their pantries here, and some shoppers say it has saved them thousands of dollars. Keep reading to learn why the prices are so low, what ends up on the shelves, and how to plan a smart first trip.
A Country Road Address Worth Remembering
Out on a rural stretch of Shawano County sits Da Ess-Sach Blatz (The Food Place) Discount Grocery.
The full address is W4519 Porter Rd, Bonduel, WI 54107, in the United States. The store is listed as a discount supermarket, though shoppers tend to describe it as a salvage grocery.
That label matters. Salvage stores buy products that regular supermarkets cannot or will not sell, then pass the savings along.
The result is a place where name brands show up at prices that seem unreal. An 85-cent can of Progresso soup is only the opening act.
Bonduel is a small community, and the store fits right in. There is no flashy branding or giant parking lot, just a building with shelves packed full of bargains.
Plenty of people drive past without a second glance. Those who pull in usually come back.
The Name Behind the Name
Da Ess-Sach Blatz is a mouthful for newcomers. Luckily, the store helpfully translates it right in its own title as The Food Place.
The phrasing reflects the Pennsylvania Dutch style of speech found in some rural communities. It hints at a business rooted in plain, practical values rather than corporate marketing.
A family runs the shop, and regulars mention brothers working together behind the counter and around the aisles. Several shoppers call it a friendly family operation in just a few words.
The store’s website sits on a page called Just Plain Business, which sums up the approach nicely.
No gimmicks, no loyalty apps, no complicated coupons. The deal is simple: good products that missed their chance on big store shelves get a second shot here.
For a place with such a long name, the mission turns out to be refreshingly short.
Why the Soup Costs Less Than a Candy Bar
Here is the secret to the headline price. Most of the stock is close to its date, past its best-by date, or packed in a dented or bent container.
Best-by dates are manufacturer suggestions about peak quality, not hard safety cutoffs. Many shelf-stable items stay perfectly usable well beyond them.
Dented cans and upside-down labels also send products to salvage channels. One longtime shopper estimates discounts of up to around 90 percent for minor exterior flaws.
That is how Progresso soup lands at 85 cents. Taco Bell taco kits have appeared for 95 cents, and Jiffy corn muffin mix for 45 cents.
Boxed penne has gone for under a dollar. Big family bags of cereal run about two to three dollars.
Nothing here is a pricing error. It is simply the math of rescued inventory.
Brand Names on a Budget
Forget generic labels. Brand names come up more than any other topic among shoppers, and the list backs it up.
Lindt chocolate bars have been spotted at $1.25 each. Clif and ONE protein bars have dropped to a quarter apiece.
Olly vitamins have sold for $1.50, and Takis beef sticks for 40 cents. Godiva chocolate, Stove Top stuffing, and Betty Crocker cookie mixes have all made appearances.
Higher-end sauces, jams, and gravies often land between 50 cents and $1.25.
One family packed three shopping bags to the top for just $52. That kind of receipt explains why the word thousands comes up when people talk about savings.
Candy bars, granola bars, and gum are popular grabs for quick stops. Some shoppers swing by every two weeks just to restock those.
Organic, Vegan, and Healthier Finds
Discount shopping often means settling for less nutritious options. Not so much at this stop.
Shoppers point out a large selection of organic foods and major name brand products that lean healthier. Vegan brands turn up too, which is a pleasant surprise for plant-based households on a budget.
One regular describes it as a good spot to find discounted, healthier food. Another was thrilled to save big on the exact brands she already buys at full price elsewhere.
Canned tomatoes and canned fruit are steady favorites for stocking a pantry.
Because the inventory rotates, the organic section never looks quite the same twice. A specialty item might show up one week and vanish the next.
For health-minded cooks, that unpredictability becomes part of the appeal. Grab it when it appears.
Beyond the Pantry Aisles
Food may be in the name, but the shelves wander well past groceries.
Cosmetics are a recurring highlight, and shoppers note that the beauty products are major name brands. Health and beauty items make a strong case for the trip on their own.
Cleaning products are priced low mostly because their containers look a little rough for a commercial shelf. The contents work just the same.
Pet owners find dog food and Friskies cat food. Parents spot diapers and baby applesauce squeezes for as little as 10 cents.
Batteries, vitamins, and homemade jam all appear from time to time. There is even custom mixed plant fertilizer for gardeners.
Fun random treats priced around 20 cents round things out. Plenty of shoppers leave with at least one thing they never planned to buy.
Clean Shelves and Friendly Faces
Salvage stores sometimes carry a reputation for clutter. This one breaks the mold.
Cleanliness shows up again and again in descriptions, with shoppers calling it extremely clean and organized. Products are displayed nicely and restocked regularly, even while customers browse.
The people get just as much credit. Friendly workers and a friendly cashier are among the most mentioned details.
A staff member often called Lyndon, along with his brothers, gets frequent shout-outs for being bright, helpful, and full of good stories.
The overall mood is calm, and several shoppers mention a quiet atmosphere. It is the kind of place where chatting at the register feels natural.
Good prices bring people in the first time. The warm welcome seems to be what turns them into regulars.
The Thrill of the Treasure Hunt
You never know what they will have. That line sums up the entire shopping experience here.
Inventory changes constantly, since stock depends on what arrives through salvage channels. One visit might bring baby food and taco shells, the next sauces and makeup.
Many shoppers treat it as a fun outing rather than a chore. Friends make trips together, and families plan monthly runs.
Fresh donuts even appeared one weekend, a rare treat for a store that mostly sells shelf-stable goods.
Regulars suggest visiting a few times before judging the selection. A slow week can be followed by a jackpot.
There is also a quiet good-deed factor. Buying these items keeps perfectly usable products out of the trash, a bonus for environmentally minded shoppers.
Smart Shopping Habits for First-Timers
A little know-how goes a long way at a salvage grocery.
First, check dates on everything. Most items are dated, but not all, and staff themselves encourage shoppers to look closely.
Second, buy what you plan to use within a couple of months. That keeps the savings smart instead of wasteful.
Third, inspect flour, box mixes, cereal, and nuts carefully. One shopper spotted pantry moths near those products, so a quick look at packaging is wise.
Plenty of other goods carry no such concern, so skipping those items still leaves lots of savings.
Finally, keep expectations realistic about what is not sold. There are no refrigerated or frozen goods, and premade sandwiches are not on the menu.
Bring bags, bring a list, and leave room for surprises.
Hours, Days, and the Drive Out
Timing a visit is easy. The store opens at 9 am and closes at 5 pm, Monday through Saturday.
Sunday is the day off, so weekend shoppers should aim for Saturday.
Bonduel sits in northeastern Wisconsin, and the store is out on Porter Road in the countryside. Many customers happily drive an hour or more, and some call it a regular road trip.
Arriving earlier in the day gives the best shot at freshly stocked shelves. Staff restock often, though, so later visits still turn up finds.
A good plan is to pack a cooler-free car with plenty of space. Nothing here needs refrigeration on the way home.
The store website on Just Plain Business offers background before the trip. A quick check never hurts before a long drive.
A Small Store With a Big Reach
Some stores sell groceries. A few quietly change how families live.
One family uses the savings to help feed residents at a homeless shelter every week, something they say they could never afford otherwise. Others credit the store with saving them thousands over several years.
That impact explains the loyalty. People return monthly, biweekly, or whenever the pantry runs low.
Budget-minded parents, bargain hunters, and anyone curious about salvage shopping will feel right at home. Those who insist on perfect packaging might need an open mind.
One fan wished there were dozens more like it across the state. After seeing an 85-cent can of Progresso soup in person, that wish makes sense.
The Food Place is humble by design. Its value shows up at the register and lingers long after the drive home.
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