These 20 Popular grocery store chains were ranked from worst to best for purchasing meat

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For North Carolina meat lovers, finding the best grocery store to stock up on high-quality cuts is key.

The best place to buy meat is typically a specialized local butcher. However, these independent butcher shops are becoming less common nowadays, especially in small towns where the main meat choices are available at big grocery stores.

While you can still find good meat at these large stores, some are definitely better than others in terms of quality.

That's why Tasting Table recently conducted a study to rank 20 popular grocery store chains based on their meat offerings.

Results ranked from worst to best:

• 20. Target
• 19. Trader Joe's
• 18. Walmart
• 17. Giant
• 16. ShopRite
• 15. Meijer
• 14. Lidl
• 13. BJ's
• 12. Costco
• 11. Safeway
• 10. Sam's Club
• 9. Kroger
• 8. Stater Bros
• 7. Harris Teeter
• 6. Aldi
• 5. King Kullen
• 4. Publix
• 3. Whole Foods
• 2. Wegmans
• 1. Sprouts

When it comes to choosing the best place to buy meat, the survey's results clearly indicate a winner.

While Target's meat quality is comparable to other stores, concerns about variety and sourcing have been raised, leading to questions. Additionally, the fact that Target, Trader Joe's, and Walmart source their meat from third parties has raised doubts about transparency and origin.

"On the other hand, the survey's in-depth analysis highlights Sprouts Farmers Market as the top choice for purchasing meat. Their commitment to sourcing from local farms and offering a wide selection of cuts sets them apart as the go-to destination for quality meat shopping."

Whether you’re seeking grass-fed beef or free-range poultry, stores like Sprouts, Wegmans, and Whole Foods provide a range of top-tier cuts, making them ideal spots for meat shopping not only in North Carolina but throughout the USA.