Trader Joe’s .. why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was there yesterday. Bought romaine, cucumber, banana , bell peppers , potatoes, chicken breast, ricotta, mozzarella, pasta, bone broth, cinnamon sticks, naan, frozen organic fruit for smoothies, popcorn kernels, dog treats, peanut butter, and their less salty version of Chex Mix. All the produce except bananas was organic. I can’t get this quality at such a low price anywhere else.

I used to do that, because I'm a divorced mom who is very, very price sensitive.

But I had to quit, because over a period of a year or so, the following items on your list were moldy when I arrived home or went bad / moldy / rank vinegar / liquidy within 3 days of arriving home:

romaine
Bell pepper
potatoes (sprouted)
chicken breast (vinegar feces smell upon opening package)
ricotta
mozarella
naan (fresh version, not the frozen)
dog treats (salmon, they were recalled)

Now i'm going to add items that have ALSO molded or decomposed within 0-48 hours upon arriving home:
blackberries
apples
that cinnamon monkey pull apart bread
strawberries
blueberries
greek yogurt
taziki
walnut pieces

That is a huge list, isn't it? And I do not have the time to be traipsing back and forth to TJ's and standing in the customer service line to get my $3.75 back for every &%$# moldy / rancid item. And I'm too price sensitive to be like, huh, bummer, guess I'll toss all 5 of these yogurts every week rather than spend time getting my $7 back.

Yes, I'm sure the frozen pizza or can of black beans is unlikely to have mold and, if it wasn't recalled for botulism, is probably fine to consume. But TJ's is such a limited, limited shop if one wants to avoid likely-to-spoil food and I don't have time to go to multiple stores just to save 75 cents on a can of black beans that hopefully isn't botulistic

It IS a limited, limited shop. No argument there. I completely bypass the flowers and baked goods, go straight to the cheese, ignore most of the prepared foods, hit up frozen, dried fruits and nuts, jarred items and a few toiletries I like. If I liked coffee or tea I would do that next as they are great deals. Then to the checkout. It is limited. It's not good for your whole shop. Everything I buy is cheaper or I like it better than other stores. But it doesn't replace other stores.

[Anonymous]

There are a lot of gluten free options I like. There are products not available at other stores. I like some of their personal hygiene products. I don’t shop there every week. A lot of people like their frozen meals.

[Anonymous]

Maybe it’s not for you and you can accept that without making others explain their choice to you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it’s not for you and you can accept that without making others explain their choice to you?

But she’s SOOOO confused!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was there yesterday. Bought romaine, cucumber, banana , bell peppers , potatoes, chicken breast, ricotta, mozzarella, pasta, bone broth, cinnamon sticks, naan, frozen organic fruit for smoothies, popcorn kernels, dog treats, peanut butter, and their less salty version of Chex Mix. All the produce except bananas was organic. I can’t get this quality at such a low price anywhere else.

I used to do that, because I'm a divorced mom who is very, very price sensitive.

But I had to quit, because over a period of a year or so, the following items on your list were moldy when I arrived home or went bad / moldy / rank vinegar / liquidy within 3 days of arriving home:

romaine
Bell pepper
potatoes (sprouted)
chicken breast (vinegar feces smell upon opening package)
ricotta
mozarella
naan (fresh version, not the frozen)
dog treats (salmon, they were recalled)

Now i'm going to add items that have ALSO molded or decomposed within 0-48 hours upon arriving home:
blackberries
apples
that cinnamon monkey pull apart bread
strawberries
blueberries
greek yogurt
taziki
walnut pieces

That is a huge list, isn't it? And I do not have the time to be traipsing back and forth to TJ's and standing in the customer service line to get my $3.75 back for every &%$# moldy / rancid item. And I'm too price sensitive to be like, huh, bummer, guess I'll toss all 5 of these yogurts every week rather than spend time getting my $7 back.

Yes, I'm sure the frozen pizza or can of black beans is unlikely to have mold and, if it wasn't recalled for botulism, is probably fine to consume. But TJ's is such a limited, limited shop if one wants to avoid likely-to-spoil food and I don't have time to go to multiple stores just to save 75 cents on a can of black beans that hopefully isn't botulistic

It IS a limited, limited shop. No argument there. I completely bypass the flowers and baked goods, go straight to the cheese, ignore most of the prepared foods, hit up frozen, dried fruits and nuts, jarred items and a few toiletries I like. If I liked coffee or tea I would do that next as they are great deals. Then to the checkout. It is limited. It's not good for your whole shop. Everything I buy is cheaper or I like it better than other stores. But it doesn't replace other stores.

NP. I agree that TJs doesn’t replace other stores. I like their seasonal items and unusual snacks. They do have great prices and variety for cheese and nuts. I’ve been pleased with the few health and beauty items I’ve tried. I won’t buy milk there because it doesn’t last as long as milk from other grocery stores. Frozen prepared foods tend to be high in sodium so I wouldn’t eat them frequently, but for the occasional night where there’s a sudden change in plans and I need something I can put on the table fast, they’re fine and TJs has some that appeal to the whole family. I only go to TJs a few times a year.

[Anonymous]

I like the variety of snacks - crackers, cheese, cookies, frozen desserts. Produce is hit or miss, but reasonably priced. The size makes it convenient to pop in/out on a weekday. Avoid on weekends at all cost.

[Anonymous]

We especially like it for their seasonal treats. November and December are Trader Joe’s months for us.

[Anonymous]

I go once a month-ish for almost completely different stuff than I get at my normal grocery stores (Giant and HT mostly). I like their frozen meals (especially Indian, the bowls, and some Mexican), their seasonal stuff (fall/holiday), some snacks/crackers and breads, love their home/body stuff, cheese is amazing (selection and prices), and they have nice flowers, fun decor, and candles that I like.

I have had trouble with the produce going bad quickly, so I try to avoid that unless it's something I'm going to use right away. I don't buy a lot of their meat, partially because I usually get that at the regular grocery store and I think in part I'm wary of it because of the produce situation.

[Anonymous]

I enjoyed going there when I was a student or living on a tight budget. Good for prices on basics, decent frozen food, and great snacks or fun items. I love their chocolates and mac and cheese to this day.

However, I hardly ever go anymore. Very average produce, limited meats, and I like a more comprehensive store for actually cooking meals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I was referencing for example the pumpkin loaves and donut holes. The sour cream donuts my kids like are a seasonal item. The breakfast pastry type goods tend to expire within a day or two at my local TJs. I am not sure if this is a one off but I do believe stores like Costco, Giant, etc.. have a few extra days on their labels in my experience.

That's because the other stores have preservatives in their food.

[Anonymous]

I save a lot of money there, and there are certain things that are staples.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The produce is often a gamble (it’s better in the West), but the prices/quality for prepared foods, bread are so much better than regular grocery. I like that they are HFCS free and private label is GMO free.

The seasonal flavors are fun (pumpkin mini cone love right here), and they actually have customer service. No one in the world is more invested in your emotional well being than your cashier.

What is with that last sentence?

It's weird, isn't it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I save a lot of money there, and there are certain things that are staples.

Op here. What do you normally get that are staples?

I have noticed the same as another PP re: Milk expirations. What staples cost compared are better at TJ?

I’d love to save money if there’s a strategy of what to get there vs. Costco or Giant/Harris Teeter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I go about once a month for "TJ stuff" , like their excellent vegan fish fillets. I get 90% of my groceries from Safeway.

I think they are opening a new one in Rockville Town Center.

Are the vegan fish fillets in freezer? I’ve never tried those but would like to

yes near the vegan meatballs, etc. One time I needed help finding them. I feared they were dis-continued.

The "fish" is jackfruit and potatoes. I do eat real fish fillets but I think these are better! I bake them at a higher temp than on the box because I like them crispier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was there yesterday. Bought romaine, cucumber, banana , bell peppers , potatoes, chicken breast, ricotta, mozzarella, pasta, bone broth, cinnamon sticks, naan, frozen organic fruit for smoothies, popcorn kernels, dog treats, peanut butter, and their less salty version of Chex Mix. All the produce except bananas was organic. I can’t get this quality at such a low price anywhere else.

I used to do that, because I'm a divorced mom who is very, very price sensitive.

But I had to quit, because over a period of a year or so, the following items on your list were moldy when I arrived home or went bad / moldy / rank vinegar / liquidy within 3 days of arriving home:

romaine
Bell pepper
potatoes (sprouted)
chicken breast (vinegar feces smell upon opening package)
ricotta
mozarella
naan (fresh version, not the frozen)
dog treats (salmon, they were recalled)

Now i'm going to add items that have ALSO molded or decomposed within 0-48 hours upon arriving home:
blackberries
apples
that cinnamon monkey pull apart bread
strawberries
blueberries
greek yogurt
taziki
walnut pieces

That is a huge list, isn't it? And I do not have the time to be traipsing back and forth to TJ's and standing in the customer service line to get my $3.75 back for every &%$# moldy / rancid item. And I'm too price sensitive to be like, huh, bummer, guess I'll toss all 5 of these yogurts every week rather than spend time getting my $7 back.

Yes, I'm sure the frozen pizza or can of black beans is unlikely to have mold and, if it wasn't recalled for botulism, is probably fine to consume. But TJ's is such a limited, limited shop if one wants to avoid likely-to-spoil food and I don't have time to go to multiple stores just to save 75 cents on a can of black beans that hopefully isn't botulistic

You lost me with this.

Why? Because you enjoy that feces scent that mass production poultry suppliers attempt to cover up with bleach? Or is it just that I'm being accurate and therefore am being gross?

Here's whose package chicken breasts do NOT ever smell like that: MoM's Organic Market.

To be sure, I'm detecting some feces right now, pp.