Trader Joe's

[sueko]

I just visited a Trader Joe's for the first time (I live in a small town and we don't have one locally) and was I ever disappointed. The selection of produce was really minimal and the store was basically just PRODUCTS, not food. Just the same stuff you'd find in a chain grocery store with a Trader Joe label slapped on it. It seems like a big scam to me, people are lured in thinking they are going healthy and the food is all canned, packaged, filled with white sugar and flour and they think they are going healthy. It's another chain, that's all. I couldn't even find raw apple cider vinegar, just pasteurized, with the requisite TJ label, of course. Am I missing something? What is the big draw? (Marketing, it appears.)

[RawCutter]

I don't get it either. I want nothing in that joint. Just a bunch of snacks and sauces is all I see.

[Revvell]

At the one I go to I purchase organic raisins, bananas, grapes, and other fruit. Occasionally I'll purchase raw although not organic nuts. They will often have organic herbs there as well. I love it. Prices are better than Whole Foods and produce is fresher...

I can't get the 'nanas and raisins at the farmers' markets either.

Revvell

[tali]

Hm, I buy most of my produce from TJ's because it's cheaper than buying from Whole Paycheck (aka, Whole Foods) and I can get it organic as well.

Perhaps they vary across the country but the ones here are very nice, full of well-priced items. I can often get things from TJ's that I can't get from Whole Foods.

Like avocados, I can get 4 organic avo's for $2.75 (I think) but at WF they are $1.99/each.

The advantage to WF though is that most of the organic produce is also local which in TJ's case, it is not.

[katacykls]

Some people including myself find it convenient at times for quick mushroom, melon, berry, or nut run ins.. you can also find Lara bars, and chopped mixed greens to go.

[StarFire]

hmmmm... interesting. I used to love TJ on the mainland - we don't have them here - and when I shopped there in my 20's (I'm 51 now) I shopped there b/c the prices were better than the regular grocery store.

now that I'm raw - I dunno if I would like the store - cuz its been so many years since I've shopped there and there are no TJ on the Big Island.

BUT... all that to say that - frankly - I've noticed the same thing about a lot of hfs too. WHICH SHOCKED THE HECK RIGHT OUT OF MY NEWBIE RAWNESS.... :eek: !!

I dunno - I guess being a newbie I had a kind of 'idealized' thought that hfs were all about health! I was shocked when I first went raw and walked into the store -- they may not have as many bad things as a regular grocery store... but they do have a LOT of stuff that is not necessarily good for you either... I couldn't help but walk up and down the aisles - completely disappointed cuz it just looked like the same marketing, same packaging schemes... but with 'healthy' slapped on the label.

perhaps it was just me?? Maybe I expected too much???

I also noticed that there were some healthy people there that had loads of veggies and fruits in their baskets... but then there was this whole other faction of people shopping that looked puffy, unhealthy, and their baskets contained a lot of canned goods, packaged items, 'healthy' cookies, 'healthy' snacks... and initially it was very confusing to me.

I just thought people that shopped at health food stores all looked like beautiful raw foodies... but they don't... :eek: ! That was quite an eye opener for me. I'm so thankful I found raw foods rather than just vegetarian or vegan.... RAW FOOD RAWKS my world!!! I'm blessed to be on this journey!y ch

(edit .. edit... not to say that those are bad choices... cuz they certainly are better than choosing meat... I'm just saying for me... and what I am working to accomplish in my life.... RAW is my choice of lifestyle - rather than vegan or vegetarian...)

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/dancinghamster.gif

[rawbeliever]

I really like TJ's: I shop there once every two weeks for things like organic raisins, sun dried tomatoes, super cheap raw nuts, and bags of fruit that's been frozen without any other crap in it.

Their produce isn't as cheap as my local little produce market, but their organic stuff is cheaper than both safeway & whole foods.

For people who are not raw, their processed foods ARE far healthier choices than in places like Safeway. The vast majority of ingrediants that TJ's uses in its products are recognizable on the label. There's far fewer chemical additives and preservatives. They're also good for biodegradeable soap, laundry & dish detergents, as well as cheap recycled TP.

The only thing I DON'T like about them is they overpackage their produce. Also, I have heard that their selection varies from store to store. Maybe mine just happens to be a good one.

[greenday]

I've been a to a few in Northern CA area -- and they do vary a great deal with what they stock and even the size/layout of the store varies, too. Sorry you had a bad experience...it can be an awesome shopping experience!

[dreamrawalwz]

I've only been to two in N. VA. The one I go to most the produce hasn't been too great. A great variety, but the grapes are icky, bruised magos, fuzzy tomatoes where they are hidden by the cardboard container thing. There is a much bigger selection of non-organic produce that they have than organic which is disappointing. When I think of TJ's all that comes to my brain is sauces haha. :eek: I don't think it's SO much a scam as all of it is better than fast food or regular grocery store items. It's a step in the right direction.

[bunnybunny]

Trader Joe's kind of disappoints me too. I prefer Whole Foods. Too bad I don't live anywhere near one. :(

[RawCutter]

I prefer my local farmers market. Selection, seasonal, organic, local and I get to know the people who supply me with my food and they get to know me.

[RawkStar]

Trader Joes is fabulous! At least the one in my area is. The organic fruits and veggies are always great quality, and the prices can't be beat--especially for raw items like fruit and nuts. I have a Henry's rather than a Whole Foods and the prices make me weak in the knees! Unfortunately, I have to shop their or Clark's Nutrition (even higher prices!) for some raw items.

[freelive]

I prefer farmer's market too, but I get papayas and bananas there and used to get dried stuff too untill I stoped eating dehydrated stuff. I never buy their avocados though, because they always rot very quickly, and i am very careful with their produce in general, because it spoils very quickly.

[RawkStar]

i am very careful with their produce in general, because it spoils very quickly.

This is so true, and my one serious frustration with TJs. I find I have to be vigilant about using the produce promptly, especially the herbs. But, the Pink Lady apples I bought there are so juicy and delicious eating them promptly won't be a problem between my son and I!

[RawCutter]

I prefer farmer's market too, but I get papayas and bananas there and used to get dried stuff too untill I stoped eating dehydrated stuff. I never buy their avocados though, because they always rot very quickly, and i am very careful with their produce in general, because it spoils very quickly.


my avocado lady always takes care of me. she gives me avos ready, 1 day out, 2 days out, 3 days out, etc. or i buy 1 week in advance and put them on rotation. I always have a ripe avo and they never go bad.

another perk of knowing my food provider

[Revvell]

Yuh. Don't buy avos from TJ's. I get mine from the farmers' markets as well. Picked up 3 HUGE ones for $5 recently.

[RawkStar]

My parents recently started an avocado farm on their 2 acres of property. :cool:

[juliebove]

I buy very little there and mostly what I do buy is not raw. Why? The produce usually looks like it's past its prime and some of it is packaged in packages larger than I want. Their prices are cheap though and I can get a few gluten free foods for my daughter, but even there you have to read every label. So much of their stuff is processed on shared equipment.

At least there's a large grocery store next to my Trader Joe's so if they don't have what I want, I can go next door.

[yasi]

in central CA I NEVER bought produce from TJs- only avocados. Up here in WA, I buy quite a bit from them (avos included) and they have great organic fruits and red peppers (when they aren't sold out!) and organic strawberries for a great price.

[sueko]

Greenday - Funny you should say that, the one I went to is in El Cerrito, right there in the bay area. It has almost the exact same layout and selection as the one in Chico, the closest one to where I live (but still too far away to shop there).

I have to agree with RawCutter, I get most of what I need at my local farmer's markets, even most of my nuts and seeds, and what I can't find there I can find at my local co-op, at prices lower than TJs.

Perhaps it's a step in the right direction, but someone is making an awful lot of money selling hyped up white food based packaged crap!! And how green is all that excess packaging of the produce, and what about the oxidation of all the food that someone else has chopped up for you? and how old is that? I don't know, the place doesn't instill a sense of trust in me.

[RawCutter]

And how green is all that excess packaging of the produce, and what about the oxidation of all the food that someone else has chopped up for you? and how old is that? I don't know, the place doesn't instill a sense of trust in me.

another good point

[Evie]

Traderl Joes in my area has really improved since it's grand opening. It know has organic produce at a cheap price. Raw nuts and unpasterized raw Orange Juice. Mind you, you have to drink the OJ right away. But when I am out on the town and need a pick me up...the OJ does it for me. I love thier soaps. Especially the Shea Butter soap. I can also buy Dr. Bonner's soap or the TJ version which is a lot cheaper. They have unique produce items... like micro greens, baby broccolli, pompagrant seeds already out of the fruit.

My family is not raw yet. They enjoy the unique items them find at TJ. THey are a lot cheaper than Whole Foods and Wild Oats. TJ must really varie across the country. I have not been disappointed with the produce.

[Evie]

I must add, that if I had a decent priced farmer's market near me...I would go there over TJ. But decent organic produce costs a lot of money here. The local farmer's market sells mostly conventenally grown produce at higher then organically grown produce. It is probably due to the fact that it is hard to grow gardens in our red soil. So there is a lot of green houses. I went to a farm stand yesterday to check out the produce. They wanted 7.00 for 5 conventially growm tomatoes. I envy all of you who can go to a farmers market and pick out fresh produce for a decent price. It is a true blessing.

[Starbuck]

I do 90% of my shopping at TJ's. They have a very nice selection of organic produce at reasonable prices. Their raw nuts are cheap. Their Medjool dates are phenomenal and cheap (although not organic).

I'm not a big fan of the prepackaged fruit, but I think they may be moving away from that... they've done that with their apples anyway...

What I can't get at TJ's, I get at my local Farmer's Market when I can get there (my work hours are funky, so I've had to miss it all summer) or Henry's (the So Cal version of Wild Oats.) TJ's has a better and cheaper selection of organic produce than Henry's or my local Farmer's Market.

I'm transitioning to raw, so I'm still buying organic processed foods like beans and rice, etc. Their organic offerings are just slightly more expensive than their conventional (if the conventional is offered at all) and they are certainly cheaper than what I find in conventional grocery stores.

Anyway, just my two cents...

[dreamrawalwz]

I will admit their prices are decent. I buy my shampoo and conditioner there as it's the ONLY brand that doesn't have one thing I'm allergic to in it. I also buy recycled toilet paper there. I don't go to Whole Foods because they're VERY expensive here. I like the idea, but not a lot of their products are organic (including the salad bar which had me very disappointed) nor do they have a lot of specialty items like gluten free. As for TJ's....they're dried fruits and raw nuts/seeds aren't organic either :(

[samariah]

I like trader joe's. I can get raw almond butter for only 5.99. I can get dried fruit, a lot of fresh fruits and veggies, raw nuts and larabars cheaper than any other place i know. And the packaged stuff is a lot better than the stuff in a regular grocery store. You don't see all the weird chemicals, preservatives, additives and stuff like that. So I'd like it better that my non raw family gets their foods from their than say wal mart or some other regular supermarket.

[Rubyred]

Maybe it depends on the particular TJ's near you?

Pros:

1) I can get organic strawberries, cucumbers, & red peppers for a reasonable price. Organic red peppers and cucumbers are hard to come by, and usually very expensive. I don't eat all organic produce, but I have read that non-organic red peppers contain a lot of pesticides for some reason.

2) Soaps and things are good quality & priced cheap.

3) Most of the nuts I get there are just as fresh as the local hfs, but much cheaper. Its just convenient sometimes to get them there.

4) Generally, their fresh sauces like pesto & salsas don't have a lot of chemicals and are raw. For instance, they have one of the few Mild Salsas you can buy that doesn't have any citric acid or other chemicals in it. It only has fresh, raw ingredients, and it's cheap at a $1.89! I can't even get that at my hfs; the salsas there have citric acid and cost twice as much.

Cons:
1) Like others have said - things tend to spoil quickly. Why is that?

2) Too much packaging for produce, and limited selections.

TJ's has to carry a lot of convenience foods for people who follow the SAD. Otherwise, they would go out of business. If there's a demand for more organic produce they will try to supply it. Same goes as my local Safeway. I can get organic apples, bananas, and other in season things like broccoli, all at cheaper prices than places like Whole Foods. They keep expanding their organic produce section because there is a demand for it.

[juliesvoyage2]

I had wondered about Trader Joe's and found this on a search. I am going raw, but before it I loved Trader Joe's, especially since there is not a fresh produce stand near me. Does anyone know if their fresh peanut butter is raw? What would be a good shopping list for me to take when I go there?

Thanks for your help!

[MelissaO]

I find raw nuts, organic apples and pears there at a better price than my local grocery store. The closest Whole Foods is over 35 miles from my house-Trader Joe's is 10 miles away - in a pinch they are good for my mid week need to fill in the gap items that I do not feel like driving over 45 minutes to get.:D

[Ilse W.]

Everybody here seems to be comparing TJ's to Whole Foods and other "health food stores". TJ's is NOT a health food store and they don't claim to be. They are A UNIQUE GROCERY STORE. They started out in Pasadena, CA back in the 50s (I believe). I used to go to one of their stores in Southern CA, when they didn't have a large variety, but really great stuff. I remember getting fresh eggs with double yolks, and 10% off my cheese, if I bought the whole wheel. They try items, and if they do well with their customers, they keep them, otherwise the stuff disappears again. They get their stuff from central warehouses, then keep perishables in their large refrigerator (dairy cooler). They don't get GMO stuff that's bred to keep forever, and without being doused in preservatives, things do go bad sometimes. If something goes bad before it should, return it to the store. They will always give you your money back. I love TJ's, unfortunately there isn't one where I live. I go and buy my stuff whenever I have a chance (reason) to go to Seattle.
(My son worked for TJ's for 3 years, and I worked for them for 6 months and loved it!)

[SheLovesToEat]

hmmmm... interesting. I used to love TJ on the mainland - we don't have them here - and when I shopped there in my 20's (I'm 51 now) I shopped there b/c the prices were better than the regular grocery store.

now that I'm raw - I dunno if I would like the store - cuz its been so many years since I've shopped there and there are no TJ on the Big Island.

BUT... all that to say that - frankly - I've noticed the same thing about a lot of hfs too. WHICH SHOCKED THE HECK RIGHT OUT OF MY NEWBIE RAWNESS.... :eek: !!

I dunno - I guess being a newbie I had a kind of 'idealized' thought that hfs were all about health! I was shocked when I first went raw and walked into the store -- they may not have as many bad things as a regular grocery store... but they do have a LOT of stuff that is not necessarily good for you either... I couldn't help but walk up and down the aisles - completely disappointed cuz it just looked like the same marketing, same packaging schemes... but with 'healthy' slapped on the label.

perhaps it was just me?? Maybe I expected too much???

I also noticed that there were some healthy people there that had loads of veggies and fruits in their baskets... but then there was this whole other faction of people shopping that looked puffy, unhealthy, and their baskets contained a lot of canned goods, packaged items, 'healthy' cookies, 'healthy' snacks... and initially it was very confusing to me.

I just thought people that shopped at health food stores all looked like beautiful raw foodies... but they don't... :eek: ! That was quite an eye opener for me. I'm so thankful I found raw foods rather than just vegetarian or vegan.... RAW FOOD RAWKS my world!!! I'm blessed to be on this journey!y ch

(edit .. edit... not to say that those are bad choices... cuz they certainly are better than choosing meat... I'm just saying for me... and what I am working to accomplish in my life.... RAW is my choice of lifestyle - rather than vegan or vegetarian...)

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/dancinghamster.gif


StarFire ! all of the islands are like a living in a produce market! what in hell would you EVER need with a trader joes there? LOL
ESPECIALLY on the big island!
that farmers market in hilo blows me away! i wasnt raw when i lived there but i saw how easy it was for people who were.
oh LORD i miss my eggfruit!

someday i'll move back. you are so blessed.

[RawKnitster]

Love TJ's organic micro greens. If I'm near one I'll stop and get them. $2.99 a box compared to $7.50 at the farmers market. Other than that not much in the small TJ near me. I like to handle and examine the produce, not buy it pre-packaged. All 4 of my SIL's shop at TJ's on a regular basis. They love all the specialty items.

The Whole Foods I visit occassionally is a good source for Lydia's raw crackers and cereal, and raw cacao powder and nibs, but the produce and nuts are not that fresh.

I'm totally spoiled from shopping at Central Market, PCC Organic Grocers, and Farmer's Markets.

[debilana]

I love those micro greens too=)

Heres where I get my stuff-

Farmer MArkets- whatever is in season- all my greens, for sure. I bought tons of peaches, cases of apples, pears- juicing apples for 80 a pound!- squashes, tomatoes, whatever is good deal and fresh.We arelucky here that several markets go year round, and kale etc grow in cold weather.

CSA box- I just restarted mine- I pick it up not 2 miles from my house. 39 a week not bad for a box stuffed full of organic produce. I make sure I use my 5 exceptions to get the most bang for my buck-like if I change garlic to cucumbers, thats a better deal. I never get anything we do not like or wont use.

Trader Joes- microgreens, sometimes almond butter- I know its not raw but its better than eating something REALLY not raw- this has been the year of struggle so I do what I can. The other produce looks weird to me ,so its hit n miss.
They are cheaper for the SAD stuff for my family like tortillas and sprouted breads,and I like the good ingrediant labels.

Whole Foods- WF has the best price on Pineapples anywhere in this area- if anyone can find me a big juicy pineapple in the seattle area for 3.99 let me know=) they also have good prices on some rotating items like organic pears and grapes- both are .99 and 1.99 a pound this week.
I get pumpkin seeds and hazelnuts there sometimes.
WF often has the bestprices on the vegan things I get for my SAD family sometimes- like Veganaise or Morningstar.

Fred Meyer in Shoreline/Lake city has a decent organic section ,sometimes it looks beat up,sometimes its a good deal.Last week they had organic juice oranges for .88 a pound!

Raw Vegan Source is where I get cacoa,nibs, cacoa butter, (14 a piund for organic!), olive oil, agave, butters, walnuts, sometimes macs and pecans, depending on price- cashews, gojis, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, and sometimes some treats=) I drive out there and take the kid(s) , they adore the fish and the garden.

PCC (our local coop) has pumpkin seeds and hazels, unpast almonds for a pinch, and sometimes some produce deals. Overall they are the most expensive , but I like supporting my local coop so I get a few things there every month. They are picking up on local raw too which is great=)

Madison Market, our city funky coop, has a raw food asile- and this was my first place to visit after going raw. Now I eye the goodies and think, well I can make that myself, but for awhile they were a lifeline! They have a fun bulk section too, a juice bar, and they are the real deal- earlier this year they dropped Odwalla bars because they are made by Coke.

Dates and raisins I try to always get online, and the rare online goody I get from Alissa=)

I spend way too much and have nothing inn my savings, but if I can keep myself healthy, its an investment in my future.

[RawKnitster]

I appreciate all the information, debilana. I've still got Raw Vegan Source and Madison Market on my to do list. Love the CSA box from FCF. Forgot to get my subs done this weekend. Oh well, it's all good. I'll be sure and try the pineapples at WF. I don't see Central Market on your list. I haven't been to the one in Shoreline, but the one in Mill Creek is huge. Worth a look if your in the area. I visit the produce section for mangos and white coconuts, (you can special order by the case), the bulk foods section for nuts, dates, and spices. Extensive natural pharmacy, too. Your kids might enjoy the live lobster/crab tanks. Then again, if they are vegans, maybe not! Thanks.

[annavon]

I don't shop at TJ's as much as I did before I went raw. I still go there for organic nuts, sundried tomatos and frozen berries. The one I shop at just expanded their produce section and they had a good price on organic avocados and tomatos as well as some organic lettuce. WF prices are really high so I try to hit up some other stores that carry organic. Besides TJ's and Sprouts are on my way home and WF is not. Unfortunatly, there aren't any farmers markets around here that I know of.

[debilana]

omg I forgot Central Market-
we live 5 min from it too=)

I buy lots of bulk there, esp nuts, in lieu of WF, and its my back up place for walnuts, etc. Great produce specials time to time....I do wish they had more raw food type stuff, but in time! great bulk section. we have been shopping there for over 10 years.

Ran over there just for baby cocos the other day for ice cream and they were 1.50 a pop- not bad! I think that was a sale tho=(