I must admit…I LOVE Trader Joe’s. A friend of mine got me hooked on this store when we lived in WA. At the time, she had 4 boys under the age of 8 
, and had discovered that shopping at TJ’s {as many fondly call it} was cheaper and healthier for her family than shopping at most other stores. I, too, have discovered this and wanted to touch base on this little goldmine. Here’s why…
Upon entering TJ’s, you may think to yourself “How much could this small store possibly offer?” But, once you’ve gotten the hang of shopping there, you find your car making it’s way to their parking lot more and more often. You will also find that there are not many brands that you recognize. This is because most of the brands are a version of Trader Joe’s {Trader Gemato’s shredded parmesan, for example} and many of the other brands I’ve never heard of…don’t let this be a deterrent…there are very few items that I’ve purchased that I’ve been disappointed with.
When you look in the frozen section you will find many international items, frozen organic sweet peas {$1.99 for a small bag that will feed a family of 6}, frozen sweet treats ranging from various flavored sorbets to chocolate cake concoctions that have my mouth watering as I type. Many offerings of individually wrapped frozen fish are awesome {and reasonably priced} as well. Frozen, Pacific-caught sockeye salmon fillets were $8.07 {one package which is a little over a pound fed my 4 kids very well}. If you buy this fish in the butcher’s case, you will find it costs about $12/lb and up {and in this area, is often “previously frozen” if you read the small print on the signs and/or ask the employee}. Another favorite of the carnivores in the family…frozen Korean short style ribs for $7.99. One package serves 3 people, so I bought 2 to serve my 4 + baby. For vegetarians {like me}, their TJ brand veg. chicken nuggets are delicious and very moist {sometimes lacking in pre-packaged veg items & a bargain at $3.29 a pkg}, Masala burgers {Indian-spiced veg patties, delish!, for $2.49×4 patties}.
I like to buy uncured meats when I can and they have a wonderful selection of uncured meats. These are more pricey wherever you buy them but I like the prices here very much. My kids like the Applegate Farms turkey & ham {$3.69 for a pkg. of 8 slices}, uncured TJ bacon {$3.99, a very good price}, and Applegate uncured roast beef lunchmeat {$3.99 for 8 slices}.
The produce section is on the small side, but again, what is offered is excellent. I’ve never seen produce that I wouldn’t buy because it is wilted or not at it’s peak of freshness. They offer many more variations of organic produce than many other supermarket chains and at great prices, such as a 2 lb bag of organic Fuji apples is $2.49. and, while not produce, a 19 oz jar of organic grape preserves sells for an unheard of $2.99.
I also have yet to find one item with corn syrup in it. I believe that Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods can boast that no item in their store contains corn syrup, I may be incorrect but I am thinking that is what an employee told me. If you try organic ketchup {which contains no corn syrup} or the all natural sodas made with good ole’ cane sugar…you will be amazed at how delicious they are. I find with typical soda…I have a slightly ill feeling in my stomach after I drink it {I know, I know…soda isn’t the best for you, but I like it once in a while}. When I drink the natural, cane sugar version, however, I don’t have that feeling. Try it for yourself.
A trademark of TJ’s that some haven’t heard about…they have an excellent wine department. They have a brand called Charles Shaw that sells for $2.97 a bottle {last time I checked} and it’s often called “2 Buck Chuck”. It’s very nice and I often cook with it, as well {remember: don’t cook with a wine you wouldn’t drink}. Castle Rock Pinot Noir is also very good. Feel free to ask for recommendations from the staff and they are happy to help…as well as hosting wine tastings on occasion.
And, lastly, the dairy department. We buy a lot of milk with 4 kids in the house, so I was always looking for the store with the cheapest price. I paid $2.29 a gallon at Meijer and the milk at TJ’s was $2.99 a gallon. Not a big difference. But, you ask , why is TJ’s milk more? This was the regular, non-organic milk. Trader Joe’s {and Whole Foods, for that matter} visits the dairy farms and farms that they buy their meat from and ensure that humane animal practices are followed while raising the animals and that humane processing {butchering} practices are followed. Also, the large tub of TJ brand low-fat strawberry yogurt is DIVINE! It is very creamy, fruity, and…no corn syrup. Good stuff!
As for dairy, you may ask “What could they do there that you would be opposed to?” Well, watch the documentary “Food Inc.”…and you will see. Dairy cows that become “downer cows”, cows that are sick or unable to walk due to injury or illness, are often pushed with a bucket front loader into a grave—and buried alive! {Tragically, there is video footage and court testimonies to support this}. We watched this video..hence the major overhaul and research that has gone into my grocery shopping.
So, give Trader Joe’s a visit and you will get a quality shopping experience from the friendly staff {literally everyone there seems thrilled to be working there and more than happy to answer each and every question you have} to the great prices to the healthier fare. You can feel confident every time you walk in the door that the food you buy is humane, healthy, AND delicious. Happy shopping!
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