Smart Shopping: A Guide to Student Discounts at Star Market and Beyond

The closure of bfresh, a full-service grocery store in Davis Square, has underscored the importance of grocery accessibility and affordability for students. Unlike many other nearby options, bfresh offered a 5% student discount, a benefit now lost. This article explores ways students can save money on groceries and other essential items, focusing on potential solutions involving Star Market and other available discounts.

Addressing Grocery Accessibility

For students without a car, the closure of bfresh presents a challenge. The next closest full-service grocery store is a mile away from Powder House Circle, a 20-minute walk. While public transportation is available, it may not be the most convenient option.

Star Market and Transportation Solutions

One option is to take the Red Line one stop from Davis to Porter and shop at Star Market. Alternatively, students can take the 87 or 80 buses to the Stop & Shop on Alewife Brook Parkway or the Whole Foods on Mystic Valley Parkway. Recognizing these transportation challenges, Tufts has taken steps to improve grocery accessibility.

Tufts Initiatives: Grocery Shuttle and JumboCash

Tufts has made permanent a pilot program for a weekly grocery shuttle to the Fellsway Plaza Stop & Shop. Additionally, a free food pantry was established last spring. Tufts Dining recently announced that the Stop & Shop on Alewife Brook Parkway will now be accepting JumboCash.

Expanding Options: Whole Foods and the Joey

To further enhance accessibility, the university should consider adding a stop on the Joey, the university's shuttle service, at the Mystic Valley Parkway Whole Foods. While Whole Foods may be perceived as more expensive, students can get an additional 10% off on-sale items and other weekly discounts by signing up for Amazon Prime with their Tufts credentials. The subscription offers a six-month trial period, and then costs $7.49 per month. This Whole Foods also shares a building with a Starbucks.

Star Market Initiatives

Star Market is dedicated to being a one-stop-shop, offering an online Weekly Ad, Gas Points with purchases, and a Star Market app for personalized offers. Star Market Business serves local businesses with snacks, beverages, catering, and paper products. Gift cards are also available. Star Market offers same-day delivery or scheduled delivery, and flash grocery delivery in 30 minutes or less.

Maximizing Savings at Star Market

Star Market provides several avenues for students to save money on groceries.

Online Ordering Benefits

Placing an online order for grocery pickup or delivery guarantees freshness or your money back. You get the same prices, deals, and rewards online as in-store with pickup or delivery in as soon as 30 minutes.

Ready Meals

Star Market offers easy meal kits and prepared meals for pickup or grocery delivery. Ready Meals include sandwiches, salads, deli meals, soups, and sides, ready to cook, heat, or eat.

Utilizing Promo Codes

First-time online grocery orders can use Promo Code SAVE30 at checkout. This offer is limited to one time use per household only. Minimum purchase amount is calculated based on subtotal of all qualifying items at checkout after deduction of all other promotions, offers, discounts, and savings and excludes alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and fluid dairy products, bottle/container deposits, and any fees, charges, and taxes. This offer may not be combined with any other promotion, offer, discount or savings and other restrictions may apply.

Beyond Groceries: A Comprehensive Guide to Student Discounts in Boston

Student life extends beyond groceries. Here's a guide to discounts available to students in the Boston area, encompassing entertainment, technology, and transportation.

Arts and Culture

Museum of Fine Arts (MFA): Students get free admission to the MFA when they present their Terrier Card at the ticket window, although special exhibitions may cost extra. Organizational members can obtain same-day general admission and special exhibition tickets by visiting a ticket desk and presenting a valid student ID on the day of their visit.
Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA): Students can visit the ICA for free when they register for tickets as a BU student online. MIT students, faculty, and staff, and those under 18 also receive free admission. Reserve your timed entry ticket through the MITAC site.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum offers free admission on the first Thursday of each month from 3 to 9 pm, though tickets go fast. If that day doesn’t work for you, use code “BOSTUNIV” on the ticketing webpage for free admission. Tickets are available up to four weeks in advance. The Council for the Arts supports free admission for students, faculty, and staff to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Use the promo code “MIT” to make a free advanced reservation online and then be sure to bring your MIT ID with you.
Boston Ballet: With Boston Ballet’s student discounts, you can see iconic pieces like Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella at unbeatable prices. When shows don’t sell out, a select number of $20 cash-only rush tickets may be available. Rush tickets aren’t available for every program and performance and are not available for The Nutcracker. Tickets are available two hours before a performance at the Citizens Opera House. If you plan on seeing several programs throughout the season, you can sign up for prorated rates through the Student Subscription packages. $20 cash-only rush tickets are available for select performances two hours before a show at the Citizens Opera House (one ticket per student). Not available for The Nutcracker.
Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO): With the BSO student pass, you can enjoy orchestral performances for only $5. BU students can register for a free student pass through the specific discount link on the College of Fine Arts page. Once you register on the BSO site, you’ll be eligible to purchase $5 tickets to qualifying shows.
Huntington Theatre: Full-time students can access $25 tickets to all performances with code “DISCOUNT” at checkout.
New England Aquarium: MIT students can reserve aquarium tickets at a discount using MITAC. Use your MITAC codes to make your reservation ahead of time. Make your reservation online or via phone (617-973-5206).
Boston Children’s Museum: All visitors can visit the Boston Children’s Museum on Sundays 1-4pm for $1/ticket. The MIT community can purchase tickets via MITAC for any day for just $9 a ticket! After receiving your MITAC ticket, reservations are recommended through BCM’s Ticketing page.
Harvard Museum of Natural History: Members of the MIT community can visit all four Harvard Museums of Science and Culture at a discounted rate of $8. Guests under 3 are free, and admission is also free to Massachusetts residents every Sunday morning from 9:00am to 12:00pm and on Wednesdays from 3:00pm to 5:00pm year-round.
MIT Museum: Free for MIT Students, faculty, staff, alum with ID + one guest!
ArtsEmerson: Up to two day-of rush tickets for $10 each, and up to two advance tickets for $20 each when purchased at the box office.
American Repertory Theater: Same-day rush tickets may be purchased for $20 with no fees, in-person only at Loeb Drama Center.
Coolidge Corner Theater: Discounted tickets for students for showings Sundays to Thursdays.
Brattle Theater.
Lyric Stage.
Boston University Judson B. Coit Observatory.
4-D Theater at the Museum of Science: MIT undergraduate and graduate students can access the 4-D theater at the Museum of Science at just $4 a ticket.

Technology

Microsoft: Students are eligible to receive one Microsoft license, which includes Windows and Office 365 apps. Programs can be installed on up to five computers, five tablets, and five smartphones. See the full list of download instructions on the BU IS&T page.
Apple Education Store: Save on a MacBook, iPad, and more with the Apple Education store. Educators and college students and their parents are eligible for education pricing, indicated by a green graduation cap next to a product listing.
HP Education Program: When you register for the HP Education Program, you can unlock up to 40 percent off on advanced HP tech-this means select consumer and business PCs, printers, and accessories.
Lenovo BU Store for Education: Students, staff, and faculty are eligible for discounted laptops through the Lenovo BU Store for Education. A link to the specific BU page can be found on the IS&T webpage. Students and teachers can additionally save 5 percent year-round with Lenovo’s student discount deal.

Transportation

MBTA Semester Pass: Save 11 percent on a standard monthly transportation pass with the MBTA Semester Pass. The $320 Link Pass is the most popular option. Applications for the pass open before the fall and spring semesters, respectively.
Amtrak: Students between the ages of 17 and 24 can save up to 15 percent on Amtrak purchases made one day in advance.
BlueBikes: The Boston Bike Pass is an annual BlueBikes membership that is offered only to residents of the City of Boston, including students using their BU address.
Zipcar: When you join Zipcar, a car-sharing alternative to renting, you can save up to $90 on an annual membership-with your first year on BU.
Airport shuttles.

Entertainment and Recreation

Red Sox Student9s: Score $9 tickets to see the Red Sox at Fenway Park with Student9s. When you register with the college ticket program, you’ll receive text messages on game days that still have tickets available.
Boston Bruins College Nights: See a hockey game outside of Agganis Arena with the Boston Bruins College Nights.
CorePower Yoga: Students can still meet your fitness goals with CorePower Yoga’s student discounts.
FitRec: FitRec offers free drop-in fitness classes throughout the year.
Central Rock Climbing gym.
Zesiger Center gym membership: All students who have paid the MIT Student Life Fee are automatically eligible; your membership activates after you sign the liability waiver. You can add a family member for $22/month. Group instructional programs include swimming, squash, golf, weightlifting, and special programs for kids.

Food and Clothing

Terrier Meal Share: BU Student Wellbeing offers a variety of services to support varying food needs. The Terrier Meal Share allows students to donate unused guest swipes to any BU student. Students can apply to receive swipes as needed.
Too Good to Go App: BU also utilizes the Too Good to Go app, which packs surprise bags filled with various items from the George Sherman Union to limit local food waste.
Professional Clothing Closet: The Center for Career Development’s Professional Clothing Closet allows students to rent clothing from premium and designer brands at discounted rates. Students work with a personalized styling consultant to select six clothing items that can be used for up to 30 days. Clothing boxes may be purchased for $60, and are guaranteed to be available in a range of sizes.
Goodwill: Students can save extra at Goodwill, on Thursdays only, with their Terrier Card. Maximum 35 items in a purchase; basket size will vary by location. Select items only.
The Spot: Free clothing events at the Cambridge Public Library. Gear up with clothes, accessories, supplies, and more - all for free!
MIT Banana Lounge: MIT Banana Lounge has free bananas all day, every day. You can find them in 26-110.
Saloniki Greek.
Good and Cheap Cookbook (PDF): Good and Cheap Cookbook (PDF) offers easy and nutritious recipes with meals costing no more than $4/day. It’s a fantastic resource for budget-conscious individuals.

Support Services

MIT Graduate Assistance & Information Network (GAIN): Available 24/7, providing confidential support for personalized services and referrals on legal, work/career, parenting, financial, home/daily living, and wellness. GAIN can research government and community resources for you, including utility subsidies & food pantries, and assist with applications.
BU Student Wellbeing: BU Student Wellbeing offers a variety of services to support varying food needs.

Online Resources

DealNews: DealNews has an extensive list of deals to help students save on everything from food and clothing to electronics and entertainment.
Student Beans: Student Beans offers student discounts on a variety of online shopping options, including fashion, tech, health & beauty, entertainment, and more.
UNiDAYS: UNiDAYS is a free digital platform offering discounts and deals to verified students.

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