# Low-Cost Boutique Grocers Daily Table Offers Healthy and Premium Food Items at Low Prices By Jana Pijak | Published 2015-12-17 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/boutique-grocer References: [thedailybanter](http://thedailybanter.com/2015/12/this-is-what-the-future-of-food-in-america-could-look-like/) & [foodbeast](http://www.foodbeast.com/news/daily-table/) Unlike pricier boutique grocers, [Daily Meal](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/daily-harvest-2) is a premium food retailer that offers quality at a low price. With its first location opened in Boston, the grocer has changed the way local residents look at nutrition. While many of Boston's low-income families opt for a [fast food meal plan](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fresh-meal-plan), Daily Meal prides itself on a business model that offers premium products at a low price. Daily Meal is able to keep operating costs and prices low by sourcing foods that are at a surplus, or nearing their expiration date. The company's founder Doug Rauch is the former president of [Trader Joe's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trader-joes-pronto) and has created a socially conscious business that is successful thanks to its close ties with farmers, local markets and food manufacturers. In addition to promoting a "high quality at a low cost" retail model, Daily Meal also addresses America's re-occurring food waste problem. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.7/10 - Popularity: 79% | Activity: 83% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Social Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialbusiness) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Low-cost Premium Food Retailers:** A trend of premium food retailers offering quality products at low costs, often sourcing surplus or near-expiration goods. - **Socially Conscious Grocery Stores:** A trend of grocery stores that prioritize social responsibility with close ties to farmers, local markets, and food manufacturers. - **Food Waste Reduction Initiatives:** A trend of businesses and organizations addressing America's food waste problem by repurposing surplus or near-expiration goods and promoting responsible consumption. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Grocery Retail:** Existing grocery retailers can explore cost-effective ways to offer premium products, create socially responsible business practices and repurpose excess goods. - **Food Manufacturing:** Food manufacturers can collaborate with surplus food retailers to donate or repurpose their products and reduce waste. - **Sustainability and Waste Management:** Sustainability and waste management agencies can partner with surplus food retailers to create awareness about responsible consumption, promote and implement food waste reduction programs. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Low-Cost Grocery Store Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hot-zone-meals.md) - [Online Discount Grocery Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/online-discount-grocery-store.md) - [Low-Cost Supermarket Meal Deals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/5-meal-days.md) - [Value-Minded Grocer Meal Deals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/asda-meal-deal.md) - [Affordable Chef-Made Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chefmade-meals.md) - [Canadian Grocery Delivery Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/canadian-grocery.md) - [Online Grocer Meal Planners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meal-planner-hub.md) - [Ethical Neighborhood Convenience Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/betterforyou-store.md) - [Price-Driven Fast-Casual Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/farmstand-menu.md)