Recipes

[Frosted Cake]

I was just at my local store needing red peppers, avacados and some tomatoes.

The avacados were all brown and soft., the peppers were small and soft (and looked old) and the tomatoes were over ripe.   

I get so tired of making a trip to the store, where all these items are featured on the ad this week, and the products are not worth buying!  

This is a big store and it shouldn't happen.   I don't feel like traveling all over for produce that is fresh to eat.   I have seen moldy produce on the shelves at some stores.   It's so unacceptable.  I don't like wasting my money.   I did complain, but what they brought out from the back room wasn't better.  I wish they would leave the shelves empty if new product isn't available yet instead of putting out the junk.

I wish I could afford farmer's markets, but they are usually high priced.

[Mominohio]

This time of year in my part of the country, I have to go to three or more stores a week to get good produce. Each place has some good quality things, but no place has everything good quality. 

It takes time, but I won't pay for inferior produce. It costs too much to be less than great.

[Kachina624]

Some stores have better produce than others but, I must say none at which I shop are as bad as you describe.  I certainly would look up the manager and complain.  Try other stores in your area and see if the quality is any better.

[Snowpuppy]

I have gone back to shopping my local farmers market. I freeze a quantity when it's on sale and try to eat what's in season like my grandparents did.

So many chains are now buying imported produce and pocketing the savings. I usually walk by the produce department now in the large grocer here. I'll head for a smaller, locally owned grocery store here. Pricier, yes but they carry mostly US produce that's fresh and looks like something you'd actually want to serve on your table.

[GCR18]

I've noticed that too.  There's one grocery store in the area that has good produce.  I usually just go there, but lately they have been looking a little sad.  While we do have a farmer's market, they don't have much until June.  

[Frosted Cake]

I find it hit or miss with this store.   Sometimes, the items look lovely and are of good quality.   Sometimes, I think it's the produce person who doesn't care or is lazy and just lets it go.

Some stores have good produce mgrs who really make sure the items are fresh and move out the old.

I'm picky when selecting produce.  I live alone and don't want something that is going to spoil too fast.   I'm the one in the produce section squeezing and taking a lot of time!    

[Laura14]

I actually had to run to three different stores to find decent, non spoiled, navel oranges the other week.  Gave up and finally found them at Walmart a few days later for a better price.  If Walmart carried my bread, I might actually forget the supermarket all together and brave the craziness.  I just can't live without my oranges.

[Frosted Cake]

I go to 2-3 stores in my area.   I write a list based on the grocery ads for the week.   

I find Walmart's produce to be nice, but expensive here in CA.   

Are farmer's markets higher priced?   I'm assuming they are since it's specialty food.

What I find equally as frustrating is all the mistakes made at checkout.  I always have to check my receipt and 9 out of 10 times, I have money owed to me.   The other day they had bagels on sale 4 for $1.00.  At checkout, he looked in my bag and saw the bagels.   He charged me for some fancy roll that was $1.00 each!    I told him they were bagels, he saw them and they were on sale.   Sometimes, those mistakes can really add up.

[DiAnne]

I am really picky about produce.  I buy it at a high end local chain.  I can't believe the difference from the regular grocery stores.  When our Farmers Markets open (June) I will purchase there but it is not any cheaper. 

[RedTop]

I am in southern WV, and good produce is very hard to find here from November until June.   Kroger usually has the best produce, but there are a few weeks in late January into early February, when you just cannot find certain tasty things, period.   Produce stands are only open here during the summer months.