Trader Joe's/Whole Foods Market

[GLC1968]

There are a lot of places in Oregon and Washington that carry the kinds of items that both places carry

Yes. I should have mentioned that while I'm biased against TJ's, I've only been to the one local to me, once. I've only been to my local Whole Foods twice, and the first time was just to see it during the grand opening.

I usually shop elsewhere, too. Neither store is very good about carring local items and that's important to me, so I'd rather give my business to locally owned/locally supported businesses (like New Seasons).

[PamNY]

I usually shop elsewhere, too. Neither store is very good about carring local items and that's important to me, so I'd rather give my business to locally owned/locally supported businesses (like New Seasons).

I agree, and Whole Foods is putting some small stores out of business in my neighborhood. Whole Foods here has some local produce, but I don't see why they can't have more. I think they just carry a few items to validate their annoying moralistic signage.

Their fish department used to have a big sign saying "Straight from the Fulton Fish Market" -- well, duh, that was the wholesale location that most fish came through in my city. That particular wholesale market closed, but the sign stayed.

TJs bother me less because they don't claim to be anything other than fun and cheap, but like you I prefer locally-owned or locally-grown when possible. Of course, none of this has anything to do with the original question, but I love to promote buying local.

Pam

[malkin]

Trader's has DRUID CIRCLES!!!


Druid Circles are what Malkins like BEST!

[SlowButSteady]

We don't have Trader Joes so I'm not familiar with the "concept" but we do have a Whole Foods in our region.

For fresh local food, choose a farmer's market!! Whole Foods stuff is labeled as to where it came from, but most of it ain't local. I can buy eggs organically grown in my hometown from free range chickens for $1.50 a dozen. Better taste, healthier, greener and more humane. Not to mention inexpensive.

Whole Foods is slickly packaged and marketed. It's, dare I say, trendy. I liked our local organic grocery/vitamin/cafe but, yeah, Whole Foods put them out of business.

I go there for a treat to graze off the food bars and buy a few select items.

Their wine selection is great and WOW, very, very inexpensive for many wines.

[OnTerryOh]

Whole Foods has a bigger selection of produce. Their fresh fruits and vegetables are usually very good but expensive.

Trader Joe's costs less and offers more food that's fun and exotic. These are staples I buy at Trader Joe's -- my favorites:

* Trader Giotto's Bruschetta -- "an Italian tomato topping with fresh garlic and fresh basil". I use this in soup, pasta, on crackers, mixed with hummous, with scrambled eggs and more. I always keep a few jars on hand.

* Trader Joe's Diner Classics -- Chili Mac with ground turkey. This is a refrigerated dinner with about two servings. I spice it up with Trader Giotto's Bruschetta. Great stuff!

* Vinta crackers, made by Dare. These come in a red box and are so good!

* Kerrygold Dubliner cheese, imported from Ireland. Costs less at Trader Joe's.

* Trader Joe's Brownie Truffle Baking Mix. Tastes like homemade brownies. Add butter and egg, mix and bake. Absolutely delicious!

[salsabike]

I like them both, for different things. I love T Joe's enchilada sauce, and some of their frozen meals. I like Whole Foods' baked goods and they have one of the best cheese shops in town. I really like lemon meringue cookies, which T Joe used to have, and Whole Foods has now.

What are Druid Circles?

[ny biker]

* Trader Joe's Brownie Truffle Baking Mix. Tastes like homemade brownies. Add butter and egg, mix and bake. Absolutely delicious!

Good to know!

I tried their hummus with kalamata olives recently, and it was good.