Best prices on real Maple Syrup?

[ellairiesmom]

My kids eat enough pancakes and waffles to make it a necessity to buy real syrup even though we are on a REALLY tight budget.  I scored a big jug on sale at Shoprite last month reduced from $18.99 to $12.99 & wished I could have bought more but we didn't have enough $.  That was MapleGrove Farms brand.  

We have family in VT that we see periodically but even buying local there, I didn't get that great of a deal.  Our Northern NJ farmer's markets carry the same stuff from VT & NY that our stores carry & the prices aren't any different.

I would prefer to be able to buy it somewhere that will allow my EBT Snap card too.

[EmsMom]

I buy mine at BJs, best price I have found.  I tag on someone else's membership because the other prices at that store are high and I wouldn't buy a membership myself.  Trader Joe's sells a mix of agave syrup and maple syrup and it is cheaper than their maple syrup.  I also bought some organic agave syrup at BJs and now I mix them together which brings down the price a bit more.  The agave is thicker so I may start watering the mix down a bit before I serve it.  Also, I keep a close eye on how much they use because I really, really hate washing that stuff down the drain. 
 

[JudiAU]

Amazon often discounts maple syrup in major promotions, worth tracking.

 

[blessedmama59]

I got a big bottle at Costco for like $12.99. However, I have used sucanat to make like a simple syrup..and you can add maple extract to flavor. It is still a better option than the crap that is NOT maple syrup and tastes just as yummy

[crunchy_mommy]

Do you have access to anything like Big Lots or Job Lot? They are discount stores that sell a lot of overstock/damaged/expired items at super low prices. I just stocked up again, $13 for a big jug, and it was even organic. Definitely stock up if you find a good price. We use it very slowly and it's never gone bad or anything, even after a couple years in the back of the cabinet.

[nyssaneala]

I usually buy mine at Trader Joe's.

[my2girlz]

I buy it at Costco for $12.99

[CarlyVHT]

I order online directly from VT. Morse Farm generally has the best prices and it's straight from VT:
http://www.morsefarm.com/

[missythemom3]

I am not sure what constitutes as a "big jug" but if you can find real honest to God pure maple syrup for 13.99 or whatever a jug then that is phenomenal. We make our own syrup and the prices are averaged out to about 40 bucks  a gallon give or take( and that is the average price for any of our local producers, maybe even a little on the cheaper side). Now mind you this is not mixed with any corn syrup or anything else, just pure good old fashioned maple syrup.
 

[pek64]

What about trying other toppings? Perhaps a fruit only preserve.

[EarthyMamaofDaisy]

I live in NH but get it from Black Pup Sugarmakers in Peacham, VT.  My Dad used to work with a relative of the owner so I don't have to go pick it up, my dad gets it from the relative.  It's certified organic and only $40/for a gallon jug!  So much cheaper than even BJ's where I used to get it.  The downside is you wouldn't be able to use your EBT to buy it. 

[4evermom]

Originally Posted by missythemom3 

I am not sure what constitutes as a "big jug" but if you can find real honest to God pure maple syrup for 13.99 or whatever a jug then that is phenomenal. We make our own syrup and the prices are averaged out to about 40 bucks  a gallon give or take( and that is the average price for any of our local producers, maybe even a little on the cheaper side). Now mind you this is not mixed with any corn syrup or anything else, just pure good old fashioned maple syrup.
 

I think the "big jug" is the largest size commonly found in grocery stores. I think it's a quart.

Re agave syrup, I believe the health conscious people have determined that it is as bad for you as high fructose corn syrup, that it may even be composed primarily with it.

Growing up, my mom made a sugar syrup and flavored it with mapleine maple flavoring. Taste wise, it was second best to real maple syrup. It wasn't as thick and didn't have the minerals but it was much cheaper.

One time, my dad did save real maple syrup long enough that it got moldy. It might have been a year and it likely wouldn't have happened if kept in the fridge. 

[tiqa]

I don't think it's an *exceptional* price, I would rather get it in bulk, but today I got a couple of small bottles of 100% maple syrup from Aldi's - they were $1.99 each, I believe.  (So... per unit probably not comparable to Costco's or anything but it was cheaper than normal grocery stores and definitely cheaper than the local produced kinds.)

[Mylie]

I don't know if it is a phenomanol price but I just bought Meijers Organic 100% maple syrup today for $5.99..It is 12.6 onz?? Big bottle...

[root*children]

I think cutting it is a good idea.  I cut ours with blackstrap molasses.  Very good for you, and very inexpensive!  The molasses is a strong taste though, so if you're kids aren't used to it, you'd have to experiment with how much you could mix in that they would tolerate.  You can also do pancakes to fill the belly up more with cream cheese & jam :)
 

[eirual]

I sometimes make fruit sauces when we're out of syrup....boil apples or strawberries with a bit of brown sugar (and maybe cinnamon).

[diana_of_the_dunes]

I found a local supplier at our farmer's market and got half a gallon for $25-ish (I can't remember exactly).  I separated it into smaller jars and "canned" it to keep it from crystalizing.
 

[IronMam]

If you can get cream cheaper than maple syrup, then fruit and cream make a DECADENT alternative to syrup...and more nutritious too! Strawberries, blueberries, nectarines, really any fruit could be good.

Another option is plain yogurt (I like Greek) sweetened with maple syrup or jam. It's delicious and makes the syrup go a loooooong way.

I've found that as long as you find a way to moisten your pancakes with some sort of topping, it doesn't have to be swimming in syrup. But it can take a while to adjust, especially if your kids are a bit picky.