“Oh how I love Trader Joe’s. Let me count the ways.” While this is true today, it hasn’t always been the case. Many years ago, when my friends first raved about it, I checked it out. It was, for lack of a better word, weird. The aisles were small and the shelves were crowded. It looked different than the grocery stores I was accustomed to and all the product labels were unfamiliar. I found a few things, but ended up going back to the comfort of those traditional large shopping aisles I had grown up with.
Some time went by. As the health nut in me grew, I was increasingly on the lookout for gmo-, antibiotic- and hormone- free dairy, meat and snacks. This wasn’t easy. Whole Paycheck was not an option–for obvious reasons when you are shopping for a family of 7. At my same old, same old grocery store, the number of items I felt comfortable buying seemed to be shrinking every week. I felt there were health dangers lurking in every corner. I was at an impasse.
This was when Trader Joe’s hit my radar screen again. I gave those small aisles another chance. I really started looking at the selection. Suddenly, it was like a gift from the heavens. Trader Joe’s is chock full of its store brand, which is often an existing excellent brand labeled exclusively for Trader Joe’s. Guess what? The TJ’s brand does not use gmos in any of its snacks, crackers, breads or frozen foods. None. Ever. Hallelujah! They have a fabulous flash frozen fish selection. TJ’s has organic dairy, but if you are not into spending the extra moolah on organic, they have well priced conventional dairy without added hormones or antibiotics. If you have celiac, or simply a gluten intolerance, there are hundreds of gluten-free options in the store. The produce section has a large selection of both organic and conventionally grown fruits and veggies-often locally sourced. This entire summer I have been able to get organic strawberries for $3 a quart. TJ’s has a decent selection of organic chicken and ground beef, but honestly this area could use some improvement.
And now for the pièce de résistance. Trader Joe’s is crazy affordable. I live on the East Coast; New York to be exact. Everything in New York (except, oddly, a mani/pedi) is ridiculously expensive. But TJ’s fabulous business model cuts out the middleman and focuses on stocking minimal but quality brands—the recipe that keeps the Trader Joe’s prices low. Good, wholesome, safe food made from real ingredients for an affordable price. Love, love, love.
Trader Joe’s has some of the best customer loyalty in the business. Customer research firm Market Force recently released its annual “Favorite Grocery Stores” report. Guess who topped the list? You got it, my beloved Trader Joe’s. Trader Joe’s was described as having a “cult following… fervent fans…zealous brand activists.” Count me among them. It just feels great to shop somewhere that is in line with my beliefs. To pick up products and trust what the labels say. And it doesn’t hurt that Trader Joe’s advertising and brand is quirky and fun.
Not only have I gotten used to the smaller set up of Trader Joe’s, I have fallen in love with it. I do eighty percent of my shopping there. I am in and out of the store in 30 minutes and feel confident that I am feeding my family healthy and safe food. “Oh how I love my Trader Joe’s.”
How about you? Do you have a store or product that you can’t live without? What brands do you trust? Please leave your comments below.
Do you love Trader Joe’s too? Leave your name and email in the box below and let’s see what other cool things we have in common.
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terra says
August 14, 2013 at 7:41 pmI love trader joe’s too! it’s definitely a necessity if you’re trying to be organic on a budget.
The only thing that really bother’s me about them is they refuse to confirm/deny that their products do not contain GMOs and they won’t voluntarily label. this makes me both nervous and frustrated!!
breathecommunity.org says
August 14, 2013 at 7:46 pmHi Terra. Thanks for your comment. I totally agree that their organic prices are refreshing. I think that some of the other brands that they carry may have gmo’s, but for the TJ’s brand the company does state that it is sourced solely from non gmo ingredients. Here is a link from their website where they address the subject:
http://www.traderjoes.com/about/customer-updates-responses.asp?i=4
Glad we are united in TJ love.
Lorna
Janice F. says
August 15, 2013 at 11:21 amTrader Joe’s the grocery store of choice in this household. I actually find it less expensive overall – there are less distractions in every aisle. We buy what we need and onward we go. Yes, there is less “brand” variety but that is the point – believe in TJ brand/quality and you are fine. Our favorites – the individual frozen fish (salmon, flounder stuffed with crab, tallapia) – you can take out of the freezer what you need for dinner that night for only those at home for dinner!
Tami says
August 15, 2013 at 1:11 pmLove TJs!! You are so right about it initially being weird. I remember going there over 10 years ago (in New Jersey) and thinking the variety was strange and I wasn’t fond of the lack of name brands. In those 10+ years I’ve learned a lot about those “name brands” I was so married to and how they weren’t doing me any good at all – in fact causing more harm than good. My daughters love shopping there and trying new stuff – and unlike regular groceries stores with aisles and aisles of processed, preservative-laden stuff, much of what they pick at TJs can feel pretty good about giving them. Great blog post! Enjoying following you!
Mandy says
August 17, 2013 at 8:41 amWe don’t have trader joe’s here, but I definitely relate to choosing much healthier and organic food options. Some of the brands I would purchase 12 years ago, I wouldn’t dare go near now. Great post, Lorna. Mandy xo
Desiree East says
August 18, 2013 at 4:44 pmTrader Joe’s junkie, here!! It really is the best grocery store ever…and the price point compared to going to other health food stores is way better. I remember the very first TJ’s that had opened up in town had crooked shopping carts (that literally steered on its own) and VERY small aisles that I kept bumping into…they’ve come a long way now!!
Marsha from YesYesMarsha.com says
August 18, 2013 at 6:24 pmThere is NOTHING like good customer service!! I always try and remember to make a point of contacting the company after I’ve had good customer service, so as to make sure that person is appreciated.
You’ve just reminded me that I need to thank Air Canada after one of their Gate staff posted some mail for me!
Leah says
August 20, 2013 at 8:31 pmTrader Joe’s is one of my first stops when I’m back to the States and one of the things I miss most about being abroad! Haha- Whole Paycheck! Took me a minute 🙂 Thanks for the giggle.
Aimelie Ronquillo says
August 23, 2013 at 2:05 pmI do love trader joe’s, unfortunately there isn’t one in my area. My first experience with it was when I visited a friend of mine in CA and she lives next door to one. I loved the smaller selection and the products they offered. Thanks for sharing.