Rancho San Miguel Markets opened a new location in Oak Park, California, in March 2022 — giving the Sacramento community increased access to grocery store food options.
When Food Source closed in Oak Park in 2020, a food desert was re-born.
The new Rancho San Miguel Markets location at 4401 Broadway near Stockton Boulevard opened with 51,000 square feet packed to the brim. Previously, there were no low-cost grocery options in the Oak Park, Tahoe Park, and Elmhurst neighborhoods available, with Oak Park struggling to maintain deserved food accessibility for decades.
Nearby Raley’s and Safeway are often too expensive for many, and I’ve found myself balking at Amazon Fresh prices. Luckily, Rancho San Miguel is only a few blocks from my home.
First Impressions of the Grocery Store in Oak Park
With its name, initially, I thought Rancho San Miguel Markets would offer only primarily Hispanic brands. I was fully prepared for this and excited.
When I entered the grocery store, I was surprised to see a massive and varied selection. Although there were labels I wasn’t accustomed to, much was very familiar.
Familiarity with a touch of diversity — splendid.
I was immediately hooked from a fully-stocked produce section, an excellent counter with meats for choosing, to pre-prepared salsas and burritos. It felt like a more put-together version of WinCo Foods.
After stocking up on various fruits and vegetables and grabbing some pre-made salsa, I headed to the meat counter. I chose a beautiful chuck roast cut (for $10) and two gigantic chicken breasts (also $10).
I eyed all the other delicious-looking pieces of meat.
Recently, the grocer sent thousands of Sacramento-area residents coupons for discounted goods. They also offer unique weekly specials at their 7 locations throughout California; Greenfield, Livingston, Lodi, Madera, Merced, Sacramento, and Stockton.
Temporary Reductions (in green) at Rancho San Miguel Markets
The prices at Rancho San Miguel Markets are great.
Overall, I found that most items were 25-50% cheaper than shopping through Amazon Fresh, and I’m now saving on delivery fees too. For example, one pound of strawberries or avocadoes from Amazon Fresh is $5. In contrast, you can get two pounds of strawberries or avocadoes for the same price from Rancho San Miguel.
I also quickly found that the green “Temporary Reductions” labels on discounted items helped identify the latest deals and sales.
Heading to the soup aisle, I found my favorite New England clam chowder from Progresso was only $2.19 instead of the usual $4+ from other grocery stores.
I’ll be back, Rancho San Miguel.
Apart from regular food offerings, the store also has aisles of household items, cleaning supplies, firewood for camping, a large frozen section, and drinks galore. Don’t forget the beautiful cakes from the bakery or the many colorful pinatas available!
The staff were friendly and helpful, asked multiple times if there was anything they could help with, and ensured I was enjoying my time.
Note that you can only use gift or debit cards when checking out, and credit was not accepted.
Next time I need to grab some bottom-round steak, queso fresco, boneless pork chops, and canned jalapeno peppers. My shopping list is always endless, I can’t help it!
All in all, I hope Sacramento residents and the Oak Park community take the time to pay a visit to the new Rancho San Miguel Markets location in Sacramento. Their fair prices, large selection, and delightful experience is something you won’t want to miss.
And, Oak Park can’t afford to lose this grocery store and closer access to fresh, affordable food.
I’ll be back weekly.
What is a food desert?
A food desert is an area or community without proper access to nearby grocery stores for nutritious, fresh, affordable food.
Who owns Rancho San Miguel Markets?
Rancho San Miguel Markets are 100% employee-owned by PAQ, INC, and operates out of Stockton, CA.
With the acquisition of two Food 4 Less locations in Stockton and Lodi in 1995, PAQ, Inc has brought Hispanic foods to local communities in California for over 20 years.
