Food prices are up

[LoveBWVVBR]

I went to Trader Joe's the other day and spent $90! It was basic stuff and I thought I got some pretty decent deals. I went pull up and diaper shopping today. And Almost $80 later.... I did buy toilet paper and some other stuff, but geeze! It is expensive to have a family.

We just got a Trader Joe's in Central FL. I hadn't been in one in years, so I decided to go. I think I spent $140 on what amounted to 3 small bags of groceries. Never again. I missed TJs so much, but it sure wasn't what I remembered. It's expensive now, and it was in an upscale area (the one where I used to live was in a low-rent area, prices were very good). We have a local produce distributor that has a grocery store. That is what I remember Trader Joes being like back in the day. Now it reminds me of Whole Foods!

 

[Dakota731]

Warning: saw on the news last night about listeria recall for peaches, plums and nectarines from Aldi's, Trader Joe's and Giant -only certain brands so check it out if you've bought any of those fruits lately!

Good deal alert- blueberries are 99cents at Aldi's and they were very good.

 

[manning]

Warning: saw on the news last night about listeria recall for peaches, plums and nectarines from Aldi's, Trader Joe's and Giant -only certain brands so check it out if you've bought any of those fruits lately!

Good deal alert- blueberries are 99cents at Aldi's and they were very good.

Costco too.

 

[EMode]

Walmart, sams and bjs are on the list too. I did get nectarines from aldis last week, im glad they got pushed to the back of the fridge and nobody ate them.

 

[tvguy]

Warning: saw on the news last night about listeria recall for peaches, plums and nectarines from Aldi's, Trader Joe's and Giant -only certain brands so check it out if you've bought any of those fruits lately!

Good deal alert- blueberries are 99cents at Aldi's and they were very good.

On the recall, at least here, it was basically every retailer from the mom and pops, Trader Joes, Walmart etc because all the stone fruit comes from the same growers.,

 

[phorsenuf]

We just got a Trader Joe's in Central FL. I hadn't been in one in years, so I decided to go. I think I spent $140 on what amounted to 3 small bags of groceries. Never again. I missed TJs so much, but it sure wasn't what I remembered. It's expensive now, and it was in an upscale area (the one where I used to live was in a low-rent area, prices were very good). We have a local produce distributor that has a grocery store. That is what I remember Trader Joes being like back in the day. Now it reminds me of Whole Foods!

Where is that? I'm trying to find a good place for produce. The stuff we get from Publix has really gone down in quality and seems to spoil so much quicker.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

Where is that? I'm trying to find a good place for produce. The stuff we get from Publix has really gone down in quality and seems to spoil so much quicker.

Downtown Produce in Melbourne, FL. If you ever make it out this way, be sure to stop...it's a full grocery, meat counter, deli, etc. Just don't go at lunchtime or on the weekend unless you like a madhouse! It's in an industrial park so lower rent I think, and it's like Trader Joe's used to be...kinda cramped, but excellent prices and service. It has a big booze selection too which is supposed to be good, but I don't really drink much so I can't personally vouch for that. The prices are insanely good. That trip to Trader Joe's in Winter Park made me very thankful for Downtown Produce.

Yeah, Publix produce isn't for me anymore. It is either spoiled when I get it home or spoiled soon afterwards. I stick to the local produce places.

Do you have a Bravo produce in your town? They cater to the Hispanic market and have fantastic prices too apparently.

ETA - Hubby told me that Downtown Produce is adding on, so maybe it will be less cramped in the future...or maybe they are adding even more things...not sure which, but that place is awesome so either way I'm sure it will be even more awesome!

 

[pryncess527]

According to glassdoor.com the employee salaries for Wegman's and Walmart are almost identical. And no one is trying to stop Wegman's from coming to town even though it is a big box store - it's certainly not a ma and pa little grocery store. Again, it's all in image and PR - Wegman's has an upscale, white demographic like Target where Walmart is considered a low class minority store. People can say all that want that they don't want Walmart coming to town because of "employment practices" but it comes down to "I don't like the kind of clientele that comes with a Walmart".

I disagree. Most of my opposition to Wal-Mart is because every town I've lived in Wal-Mart built a HUGE store. Operated it for 3-4 years, then closed it and built another HUGE store 3 miles down the road. The shopping centers with the closed Wal-Marts crumbled without their anchor store. No one else make use of such a huge empty store, so no one else moves in. I don't welcome that kind of development in my town. If Wegmans has a reputation for doing the same, and someone tries to bring a Wegmans to my town, I'll be sure to protest. Though, I've never even heard of Wegman's so that's pretty doubtful.

 

[phorsenuf]

Downtown Produce in Melbourne, FL. If you ever make it out this way, be sure to stop...it's a full grocery, meat counter, deli, etc. Just don't go at lunchtime or on the weekend unless you like a madhouse! It's in an industrial park so lower rent I think, and it's like Trader Joe's used to be...kinda cramped, but excellent prices and service. It has a big booze selection too which is supposed to be good, but I don't really drink much so I can't personally vouch for that. The prices are insanely good. That trip to Trader Joe's in Winter Park made me very thankful for Downtown Produce.

Yeah, Publix produce isn't for me anymore. It is either spoiled when I get it home or spoiled soon afterwards. I stick to the local produce places.

Do you have a Bravo produce in your town? They cater to the Hispanic market and have fantastic prices too apparently.

ETA - Hubby told me that Downtown Produce is adding on, so maybe it will be less cramped in the future...or maybe they are adding even more things...not sure which, but that place is awesome so either way I'm sure it will be even more awesome!

May have to check it out if I'm ever that way. I like going to the Hispanic markets for produce and meats. You can get some really great deals, although at times it can be hit or miss and I have yet to find just one to go to and I hate running from store to store.

 

[tvguy]

I disagree. Most of my opposition to Wal-Mart is because every town I've lived in Wal-Mart built a HUGE store. Operated it for 3-4 years, then closed it and built another HUGE store 3 miles down the road. The shopping centers with the closed Wal-Marts crumbled without their anchor store. No one else make use of such a huge empty store, so no one else moves in.

That would be a legitimate concern. People here fight a new Walmart tooth and nail, then shop there when it opens. Human nature.

 

[AquaDame]

I sometimes think that the anti-Walmart sentiment stems from thinly veiled racism. More minorities shop and work at Walmart, and there are entire websites devoted to people who shop there - the so-called "Walmartians". In our town, you see very few people of color at Target - it is pegged as an upscale store. So when people say they feel gross to shop at Walmart or don't want to deal with the other customers or clerks at Walmart, I feel very offended. If Walmart were to shut down, the people who would be hurt the most are the lower income families who can't affort to shop at Costco or at little downtown boutiques.

Excuse me? Was I seriously just called racist for not shopping at Wal-mart? Around here the 'Walmartians' would be white trash - being non white has absolutely nothing to do with it and everything to do with your personal hygiene and where you choose to change that child's diaper. If you are truly poor around here you shop the stands or Mom and Pop shops since they are the ones who do actual deals on produce. Since when is Target upscale? We aren't talking New Seasons, Trader Joes or Whole Foods here. The moment a "one stop shop" comes into play upscale does NOT come to mind - I can't think of a single one.

According to glassdoor.com the employee salaries for Wegman's and Walmart are almost identical. And no one is trying to stop Wegman's from coming to town even though it is a big box store - it's certainly not a ma and pa little grocery store. Again, it's all in image and PR - Wegman's has an upscale, white demographic like Target where Walmart is considered a low class minority store. People can say all that want that they don't want Walmart coming to town because of "employment practices" but it comes down to "I don't like the kind of clientele that comes with a Walmart".

I have no idea what Wegman's is, but we do have larger stores that the pitchforks don't come out for here. It doesn't have anything to do with size, or the color of people's freaking skin. Can YOU be a little more racist here? Low class does NOT equal black or hispanic or any race but everything to do with income. Geez. I happily go amongst the *gasp* low class when I shop at Winco (our local discount grocery) and will not step foot in Walmart. Winco is employee owned, clean, and well stocked with good prices. Each one has different food options based on the ethnicity of the neighborhood - the one by me has a lot of hispanic foods, the one across town leans Asian. Walmart does NOT treat their average employee well here, they are dirty and their produce isn't very good. Despite protests they plant themselves here anyway completely ignoring what the neighborhood wants. 90% of their customers are white... I don't think its a coincidence.

I don't think so. LOL we didn't want walmart in Harlem and that's about as Black a neighborhood as you're going to get. I'm a born and bred Harlemite and yes it was about employment practices.
Now I was not on the board who denied zoning but I definitely gave let my experience be known.
but we also did not like their business practices.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york...res-business-report-predicts-article-1.991697

truth be told I've never heard of the "walmart is for low class minorities" and target was for upscale whites.
who knew??

Now we do have a Wegmans. the clientele is different because the offerings are waaay different. I haven't been in walmart in years but last I heard they didn't offer artisian breads and cheeses, nor Wagybu beef at the ridiculous price of 99 bucks a pound.

I love Wegmans because I'm an amateur baker and they routinely have specialty items that I like, such as pastry flour by the pound, superfine sugar and natural Madagascar vanilla paste.

As a white girl I had no idea - must've also missed the memo.

A discrimination lawsuit against Target that will never make the network news.



Not the case at Target, Wegman's or Costco. But Walmart doesn't have the cool, hip image of these stores. It has been vilified by the media as an evil box store (which so are) Target, Wegman's, Costco) and where are the protests when they move in the neighborhood?

Where is the proof that Target and Costco have ruined neighborhoods? When did they get so bad that their employees and suppliers have opened class action lawsuits as the MANY that have been filed against Walmart? ONE article is something, but very little more than nothing and certainly nothing against the might of the 'mart.

Also, you aren't looking hard enough: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/04/trader-joes-portland-oregon-_n_4722680.html When there is protest against some of those other 'EVIL' places, THEY LISTEN. *gasp*

That would be a legitimate concern. People here fight a new Walmart tooth and nail, then shop there when it opens. Human nature.

Again, NOPE. How many have chimed in that they have not and will not set foot in them? Are we not human?

 

[mrsp1030]

I once did a comparison shopping for the same items I typically buy between walmart, target, wegmans and giant. Honestly, there wasn't a huge difference in pricing between Walmart, target and wegmans. Personally, my choice for groceries is wegmans simply b/c they support local farms as well and their store brand is good quality. They also carry many bulk items that are similar to Costco/SAMs club. Also, I personally know too many people who have lost businesses in small towns because of Walmart Many elderly miss mainstream grocery stores for their senior discount and double coupons and Walmart just doesn't cut it.

 

[tvguy]

I once did a comparison shopping for the same items I typically buy between walmart, target, wegmans and giant. Honestly, there wasn't a huge difference in pricing between Walmart, target and wegmans. Personally, my choice for groceries is wegmans simply b/c they support local farms as well and their store brand is good quality. They also carry many bulk items that are similar to Costco/SAMs club. Also, I personally know too many people who have lost businesses in small towns because of Walmart Many elderly miss mainstream grocery stores for their senior discount and double coupons and Walmart just doesn't cut it.

DW was not a Walmart fan, but just the savings on a gallon of milk, a package of her beloved Oreos, and a box of cereal makes it worth it. That was her conclusion, not mine. $1 lower than anyone else on all three.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

May have to check it out if I'm ever that way. I like going to the Hispanic markets for produce and meats. You can get some really great deals, although at times it can be hit or miss and I have yet to find just one to go to and I hate running from store to store.

It seems like we are very fortunate with the produce stores/markets here in FL. We also have one called "Thrifty Produce" in our area that is supposed to be great. They just opened another store nearby so I may have to check them out. We have a local produce place here on the Beach where they owner drives to Plant City twice a week to bring awesome produce. I love that place too...I appreciate the effort they make to bring great produce here and their prices are still cheaper than Publix. Of course there is also Aldi where I love buying produce. Their prices are great!

Until I went to the Trader Joe's in Winter Park I was soooo gung-ho on getting a Trader Joe's here in greater Melbourne. Now I really don't care...there isn't enough that I would buy there that would get me to go out of my way to go to one.

 

[mikehn]

Before reading this thread, I just had a couple nectarines from Giant. Oh well. I've eaten from street vendors in third world countries, so it cant be that bad.

 

[Planogirl]

Steak is definitely off the hook Plano,
when labor day comes around in September, check you stores. I've found (highly unscientific) that usually around "grilling" holidays they stores really cut the prices.

4th of July I stocked up on Ribeyes. Shoprite and acme had great quality ribeyes for $4.99.

Labor day I'll stock up if the prices stay around 4-6 bucks.

then Thanksgiving I've found that roast beefs and ham's are on sale. Last Easter the shank portion hams were 39cent a pound and if you spent so much you got a free ham or turkey.

so I'm already planning on this Thanksgiving buying maybe 3 shank or butt portions and freezing them.

LOL most normal people get excited for holidays for back to school or black Friday sales, I get excited because I know meats will be on sale. How sad is that?

Thanks for the information. I wasn't aware of this and I will definitely be checking.

 

[manning]

The bash Walmart thread is doing great.

What surprised me at a local store was there were two prices for asparagus. Same quality. They got the cheaper from a farmer at farmers market. Farmer didn't want to haul it back and gave a good price. The grocer passed the savings on.

 

[Dakota731]

Where is the proof that Target and Costco have ruined neighborhoods?

They usually wait until the Walmart has already been built then they come in but you won't hear any protests then. I guess those stores don't take any business away from small shops??? It's a double standard.
And to pretend that there isn't a different clientele in a Walmart vs a Costco or Target is ludicrous. I've lived in three large cities and one suburban area the past ten years, and I have seen it in each and every area. And I have heard people say (when they don't know I have a minority background) "I would never shop at a Walmart with those kind of people." So if they are not bashing race then I guess it's okay to bash lower income families who can only afford to shop at Walmart?

 

[Dakota731]

My Neighborhood Walmart pays $12 an hour, most workers are full time with benefits. Just seems like Walmart is a better citizen.

Walmart even offers health benefits for part-timers something that Target does not.

It's funny why Walmart would need to build new stores if no one shops there because of their employment practices, dirty stores, rude clerks etc? We had a local newspaper columnist who constantly wrote editorials bashing Walmart and protesting the new one coming to our town until someone took a picture of him and his wife shopping there and put it online. Haven't heard from him since.

 

[AquaDame]

They usually wait until the Walmart has already been built then they come in but you won't hear any protests then. I guess those stores don't take any business away from small shops??? It's a double standard.
And to pretend that there isn't a different clientele in a Walmart vs a Costco or Target is ludicrous. I've lived in three large cities and one suburban area the past ten years, and I have seen it in each and every area. And I have heard people say (when they don't know I have a minority background) "I would never shop at a Walmart with those kind of people." So if they are not bashing race then I guess it's okay to bash lower income families who can only afford to shop at Walmart?

Your point? Walmart came in and did the damage, then the other stores moved in. That isn't them doing the damage. Its not a double standard if they aren't pulling the trigger.
The real question is what you think they mean by 'those people'. In my case, I mean the type of people who don't clean up after themselves, don't practice minimal hygiene, don't keep their kids under control in the store, that sort of thing. I have been just as frustrated at upper crust people not respecting these things as lower class citizens and as I stated before, I happily shop with minorities and lower class people at our local discount grocer because they do NOT act like that.

Walmart even offers health benefits for part-timers something that Target does not.

It's funny why Walmart would need to build new stores if no one shops there because of their employment practices, dirty stores, rude clerks etc? We had a local newspaper columnist who constantly wrote editorials bashing Walmart and protesting the new one coming to our town until someone took a picture of him and his wife shopping there and put it online. Haven't heard from him since.

Lets get something clear here. Walmart only offers benefits to those working 30+ hours because that is the law, not because they want to or would have otherwise. Target, Trader Joes, etc all do the same thing. The only difference is that they USED to offer benefits to those working less than 30 hours, but they stopped and paid out $500 to every employee they cut off - THAT is how they made the news. Walmart never did (that I know of) so there was no news there for them. How is that more laudable in Walmart's favour?

You're going off on a separate tangent here - I never said no one shops at Walmart or that they would stop building stores. I am well aware that they are doing very well for themselves. The original statement was that people always say they would never shop there and then do anyway as you commented on your columnist. MY point is that no, there are many of us that don't want them, protest them and then DO NOT shop there for moral or whatever reasons. Your anecdotal evidence is 100% true, but it doesn't change the fact that you're wrong in your original statement as many people in this thread have chimed in on.