Wegmans, Publix and Trader Joe's topped the list of best supermarkets in the country, according to a new survey by Consumer Reports.
More than 62,000 subscribers rated 68 supermarket chains for freshness, produce selection, the price of organics, service and cleanliness.
The survey found the stores that scored the highest for freshness tended to top the ratings in other areas, as well.
Wegmans received top scores for freshness, baked goods and overall experience, while Walmart Supercenter rated second-to-last on the national list, earning the lowest ratings in five of six categories.
Read on to see how grocery chains with locations in the D.C. area fared:
1. Wegmans
3. Trader Joe's
6. Costco
9. The Fresh Market
14. Aldi
15. Whole Foods Market
17. Harris Teeter
41. Shoppers Food & Pharmacy
45. Target/Super Target
47. Sam's Club
52. Food Lion
56. Giant
58. Safeway
67. Walmart Supercenter
Only about 60 percent of shoppers said they were "completely or very satisfied" with their store's produce and meat selection, while half of those surveyed said they were "highly satisfied" with their supermarket's prepared food and bakery.
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Food marketing professor Sean Coary told Consumer Reports that an increasingly "time-starved" population has led grocery stores to expand their ready-to-eat selection. Wegmans, Costco, the Fresh Market and Whole Foods all earned top marks for their store-prepared food quality.
Consumers are also increasingly turning away from processed and packaged foods, supermarket-industry consultant Jim Hertel told Consumer Reports.
