grocery stores (Nashua, Londonderry, Amherst: shop, foods, farm)

[OCCASparky]

Originally Posted by dubthang

Calef's is awesome. Their cheese alone is worth the stop. As for Wal-mart's prices, check the sizes. Often their products are not the standard sizes found in other stores. Sometimes this is good, sometimes not. I do agree with not buying meat or produce there though.

Are you talking the original Calef's which is actually on Rt. 9, or the one on 125 (yes, I know it's all the same intersection, but still)...

I've been to both, and I just like the little one on 125. Not as touristy, and when I know what I want...

[dubthang]

Originally Posted by OCCASparky

Are you talking the original Calef's which is actually on Rt. 9, or the one on 125 (yes, I know it's all the same intersection, but still)...

I've been to both, and I just like the little one on 125. Not as touristy, and when I know what I want...

The one with the snappy cheddar. It's the one on the left if you are headed north on 125.

[AmericanWoman1964]

Originally Posted by OCCASparky

Is it just me or does Wally World not have all that great of prices on a lot of their stuff? I absolutely refuse to buy their meat. Saw some ribeye steaks there the other day and darn near gagged--$10.58 a pound for steaks that were more fat than meat. No thanks.

Calef's on Route 125 has some good deals if you're in that area and don't mind a market the size of a small closet. Picked up some Porterhouse steaks for $6.99/lb, and they do good specials for the holidays if you order in advance.

We don't have a superstore nearby and I still have a bias about purchasing meats at WalMart. I worked at our Keene store and I worry about the quality. I only use WalMart to purchase my paper goods.

FYI: I have sever allergies which means I have to be very conscious about what I eat, breathe, touch, etc etc. Bleach is bad for anyone but I am very allergic to it. All of our area stores, and probably yours too, have been cited for bleaching meats. This is a common practice. It is approved by the FDA. When you notice a pot roast starting to brown at the grocery store, the store is allowed by law to dunk it in a bleach tank, re-inject it with red dye, and re-package it, without any indication to the consumer. Most area stores, including (and I'm sorry to say) DeMoulas, Hannafords, Shaws, etc., have all been cited for over bleaching. They have been cited for bleaching meats 2 to 3 times. At that point there is no nutritious value to the product. This is, of course, very dangerous to someone like me, which is why I am educated in this regard.

So, for those who are unaware of this process, please be very discriminating in your choices. Touch, smell, ask questions if your unsure. Basic rule of thumb - listen to your instincts.

jaqui

[BF66389]

Jacqui- I am inquisitive- do you have any information on said "bleaching" of meats? Not specific cases- just what it is?

I was fairly sure the redness of meat was maintained using carbon monoxide and this was of concern because "bad" meat could still look good, etc.

[AmericanWoman1964]

Originally Posted by BF66389

Jacqui- I am inquisitive- do you have any information on said "bleaching" of meats? Not specific cases- just what it is?

I was fairly sure the redness of meat was maintained using carbon monoxide and this was of concern because "bad" meat could still look good, etc.

Thats exactly true. Bad meat can look good. In this case the meat isn't bad, it's just void of nutrition. I will do a web search for the news articles on this. But I'm sure you can find info on it too. It's a common practice.

[BF66389]

Originally Posted by AmericanWoman1964

Thats exactly true. Bad meat can look good. In this case the meat isn't bad, it's just void of nutrition. I will do a web search for the news articles on this. But I'm sure you can find info on it too. It's a common practice.

Interesting, does meat not absorb bleach like other items (vegetables for example will absorb it...this is how a lot of spouses poison family members...and then get caught).

[AmericanWoman1964]

Originally Posted by BF66389

Interesting, does meat not absorb bleach like other items (vegetables for example will absorb it...this is how a lot of spouses poison family members...and then get caught).

I'm sure it does. That's why I have to be especially careful - I'm allergic to it. Bleach will kill any bacterias that grow ono raw meat and I'm not certain how they get rid of the bleach after dunking it or what exactly the process is. I only learned this from my surgeon. I had an anaphylactic reaction during surgery. That is when I learned I was highly allergic to latex. The operating surgeon was doing much to change our local hospital to a non-latex environment and he used me as his poster child. I learned a lot about latex allergy but during testing found I was allergic to 31+ other things. Bleach being one of them. He is the one who cautioned me about watching the foods I eat and some of the processes grocery stores/growers employ. Shortly thereafter is when our local news station reported that three of our local grocery food chains had been cited for violations of over bleaching meats. I tend towards growing all of my own meats now. But I don't keep cattle. My property isn't large enough to sustain them. They are very costly. I do keep pigs, chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys, goats, sheep, and rabbits. This is a dual purpose though - I need to know what I'm eating, I prefer raising my livestock naturally (free range), and I have a large family to feed so I don't have to pay for my meats.

Many people in my area compliment me on this "green" lifestyle but it is misunderstood. I didn't go into doing things this way because I had some kind of higher desire. It was brought on by sickness and poverty. Although I do promote eating foods that are grown both locally and naturally.

[ded2bred]

I live in Manchester and Drive to Hooksett to buy meat. Bull Run Meats has the best marinataed steak tips, but how to decide which one? There are six or seven different marinades. I have yet to try them all. The meat
is not the cheapest in the area, but it is, in my opinion, the best. I get my produce at the Farmers Market, but I get my meats at Bull Run. The new owners have kept the atmosphere of customer service and quality.
It is a fun place. I have read posts about the "Racy" slogan on the back of the employee shirts. You can make almost anything "dirty" if you have a dirty mind to begin with. Get over it and enjoy the meats.

[AngelaK]

I second Bull Run!!! Awesome stuff. For average shopping, I have to admit, I am spoiled and I like Hannaford. I tried shopping at Market Basket before, as they do have cheaper prices....but, and I know this is weird............I can't stand the SMELL at Market Basket. Every one I have ever been in smells bad to me.....what is with that???

[BF66389]

Originally Posted by AngelaK

I tried shopping at Market Basket before, as they do have cheaper prices....but, and I know this is weird............I can't stand the SMELL at Market Basket. Every one I have ever been in smells bad to me.....what is with that???

I am glad to see it isn't just me. Everytime I've been to MB the smell bothers me or I get poor quality fresh foods (though cheaper). That said I also know alot of folks who have had MUCH better experience than I have so I don't get it.