Buying Produce

[dreamrawalwz]

I had a thought. I have been in to Kroger's now 3 days in a row and I see that organic produce is being pulled because magically A LOT is gone and I have a feeling there aren't too many college kids buying up produce. Would it be a good idea to talk to the store manager and tell him I have chemical sensitivites and basically have to have organic and since I'm a student I'm on a budget. I guess my point is, if they're pulling produce just because it has a small bruise or is a little wrinkly I don't mind at all. Do you think the manager would be ok with selling it to me on discount or is it against a health code or something? If this is a good idea, any suggestions for what to say to sound...grown up lol.

[lafsalot]

I'd ask him - I'm sure he rather sell the produce to you at a reduced cost. ~ Cathy

[RawCutter]

i've been thinking about the same thing, especially when i juice. i don't need it to look good.

i know large grocery chains give to second harvest and other charities so it is possible to get it.

[rawstrawberry]

It never hurts to ask! I know some places are not allowed to sell it but can give it to you even better.

You never know.

RS

[KristensRaw]

Emphatically YES!!!! Ask them!!!!!

:) They are almost ALWAYS willing to sell it to you for less. What typically happens is that they give it to soup kitchens.

[moncha moncha]

Absolutely ask. I buy organic bananas that have been pulled because they are ripe from three different stores. At one of the stores I get them for 19 cents per pound!

[Lady Green Jeans]

I would definately ask. Worst they could say is "no." Some stores will and others won't--each have their own policy. Sad that some in Southern CA have closed,locked trash bins that they dispose from the inside--they are also the ones that do not discount--they toss it out. Sad to see this trend. What a waste.

Some of the health food stores I frequent discount the bananas when they're ripe--just like I like them.

[juliebove]

Doesn't hurt to ask. But they might not for the fear that you might deliberately damage something to get a discount. Sadly this is what used to happen when I worked in retail. We had a cart or two by the front door of damaged goods that we'd sell for a discount.

We had to stop doing that after we discovered people sabotaging us. They'd do things like carefully rip out a seam in a garment, or asking for us to custom mix paint then telling us it didn't look like the paint chip to them.

Then they'd wait until the next day or two and come back to buy the "damaged" item. It got to where nothing could go onto the "damaged" cart until it had sat in the back room for at least 30 days, to prevent this.

We also tried giving such goods to charities, only to find that even then, some people would try to return the item for money.

Perishable food would be in a different category of course. Some stores donate such things to soup kitchens and the like. Or they find other uses for it within their store. Like the salad bar, or cutting it up and repackaging it. For instance, they might cut the damaged portion from a bell pepper, cut in in strips and sell it with strips of onion for a stir fry.

[luckitri]

Here in AZ there are laws against it. The items can go to a food bank - but in the case of perishables like you mention - I doubt it can go fast enough to do any good.

I for one would be curious what you find out because I see the individually wrapped organic peaches and pears at Krogers and wonder about them - never see them in anyones' basket.

[dreamrawalwz]

Here in AZ there are laws against it. The items can go to a food bank - but in the case of perishables like you mention - I doubt it can go fast enough to do any good.

I for one would be curious what you find out because I see the individually wrapped organic peaches and pears at Krogers and wonder about them - never see them in anyones' basket.

Aww, I have seen peaches or pears yet. Nothing at this one is in a package (for once!).

I'm not exactly sure what to ask? I tend to freeze up and stumble on my words when I do something like this. Any suggestions?

Luckitri - that's horrible! I can't believe people even do that! :eek:

[luckitri]

Just wondering if you asked and what the response was.

I know of a woman who wanted to live in Sedona and her job did not pay her enough so she dumpster dived for the organic tossed produce. She wanted out of the Valley in a big way, she was determined and she has done it. Now she is working with the Raw Spirit Festival.