Los Angeles - Supermarkets near LAX?

What options will be the most suitable if I am looking to reach a reasonably sized supermarket (e.g. Safeway/Walmart types, not convenience stores or corner shops) from LAX using the cheapest mode of public transport (i.e. not a cab / hired car)?

Are there ones that are within walking distance?

There are several options, depending on where in LAX you are starting from; is there a specific hotel or terminal?

Take the Parking Spot (Sepulveda) parking lot shuttle (free) to their lot and then walk a block north; there is a large Ralph's supermarket there. A block further north on the same side of Sepulveda has a Trader Joe's.

When you get on the Parking Spot shuttle, the driver will ask if you valet parked or self-parked. Inform them of the latter.

It would be about a 10-15 minute walk from the entrance of LAX to the markets.

Hmmm....sounds suspiciously similar to the instructions to get to In'n'Out! :) :)

Ralphs is very close to the In-N-Out.

Just slightly farther and in the other direction. Depending on the stoplight at Westchester Parkway, it would take 3-5 min to walk from the Parking Spot to Ralph's. It's actually a pretty nice market (and 24 hours, IIRC). I sometimes stop there before a flight to get some snacks/magazines/etc.

Time permitting, Trader Joes's is worth the additional walk after you visit Ralph's (TJ is a specialty grocery store, as compared to Ralph's, a comprehensive supermarket). To get an idea of TJ, product mix, here's a link to their most recent promotional circular (opens as a .pdf file):

http://www.traderjoes.com/pdf/flyers/state-flyers/ca_south_flyer.pdf

TJs is a good place to buy snacks from the four snack food groups (cheese, beef jerky, pretzels, chocolate).

TJs is a good place to buy snacks from the four snack food groups (cheese, beef jerky, pretzels, chocolate).

Hey, you forgot the most important TJ purchase...

Two-buck Chuck!

(That's Charles Shaw wines to the uninitiated... and yes, it really is $2 a bottle)
(when I was living in the Midwest far from a TJs, I'd carry a 1/2 dozen bottles home in my checked bag on my holiday trips)

And their prepared sandwiches, salads, sushi, and other refrigerated foods are *much* better than anything you can get at the airport, or as in-flight foods in coach.

I second the Trader Joe's suggestion. Not as accessible via shuttles, but a close drive, cab or trolly is a HUGE well run Whole Foods Market with a big salad bar as well as several hot food bars and the usual deli & prepared food sections.

http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/elsegundo/

It really depends on which hotel you are staying at... but agree with everyone else that Trader Joe's is your best bet. Ralph's is also great. Both are walking distance from Sheraton.