do you shop at trader joe's? (Raleigh, Durham: 2009, co-ops, move to)

[MAtoNC!]

Sometimes people are under the impression that everything in Trader Joe's and Whole Foods is organic and natural. It's all about label reading! Who knew buying food would be so much work. Both Trader Joe's and Whole Foods have had food in the store that is a product of China -- and I won't buy it.

Trader Joe's to exclude some food imports from China - USATODAY.com

ABC 7 I-Team Investigates: Organic Foods|ABC 7 News

Originally Posted by Gatornation

Really not that much is organic considering that some regular stores have organic stuff now. Just about anything can be called all natural so that doesn't do much for me.

I still like it as a good supplement after shopping at Whole Foods.

[MikeJaquish]

I go to TJ's for bread, cheap wine, and a few other things from time to time.
I, too, worry about food imports from China.

[Gatornation]

Originally Posted by MAtoNC!

Sometimes people are under the impression that everything in Trader Joe's and Whole Foods is organic and natural. It's all about label reading! Who knew buying food would be so much work. Both Trader Joe's and Whole Foods have had food in the store that is a product of China -- and I won't buy it.

Trader Joe's to exclude some food imports from China - USATODAY.com

ABC 7 I-Team Investigates: Organic Foods|ABC 7 News

We look at the labels of just about everything. We really are trying to shift some of our whole foods shopping to farmers markets for organics.

[NCmoonlight]

(locations of some items based on Cary store)

Tuscan Panne bread--sooo good toasted and good price

pasta sauces- they have some excellent sauces at great prices ($1.69 a bottle I believe)

Indian Naan- nonfrozen (though the frozen is good too). Plain and garlic

Milk, yogurt

tortilla chips with flax seeds

I third the Peppermint JoJo cookies, but I think you can only get them in December? They are REALLY great frozen!

Chocolate covered bananas

frozen veggies

Morningstar Farms "sausage" patties

Barbara's cereals

key lime chicken patties (in freezer). Broil 5 minutes each side- done.

frozen chicken breasts, frozen fish fillets.

no boil TJ's lasagne noodles (in Italian ssection)

apples there are very good

bananas

nitrite free hotdogs (beef or turkey)

sliced cooked turkey breast in refrigerated meat section by the precooked chicken. VERY moist and good. Great for a quick meal.

Agree about the Cuban black beans.

Their Canned corn is also surprisingly good. Good mixed with the beans. I usually can't stand canned vegetables.

Fresh salsa in the refrigerator section- good to use a bit in dishes like tacos, beans and rice etc.

Bagged multicolor (festive colors) swiss chard - with a good recipe to make it on the pkg

Chocolate ganache- to die for (special occasions). in freezer desert section.

Good microwave frozen lunches at good prices.

Their pita chips are better than any other pita chip I have ever tried (including Stacy's) and the price is better. (Don't bother with the reduced calorie- they're not so bad in calories anyway- just be moderate). Great with their hummus.

They carry Stevia.

Their banana bread mix (by baked goods) is great. It is not quite and good as the pumpkin bread mix which you can only get around the holidays.

We occasionally use our waffle iron for waffles- and their multigrain pancake mix is great. We adapt to our waffle recipe.

ball of bread dough in refrigerator section. I think they are 99 cents each.

We also try to make trips out to the farmers market.

[suncat]

Originally Posted by VickiR

Isn't the TJs in Cary on Kildaire Farm Road?

Vicki

I couldn't find Kildaire Farm Road, though. I've only lived in Raleigh for four days, so I've got a lot to learn.

[suncat]

Originally Posted by scorp200

I love TJs, though lately I've had some bad luck with some stuff - bagels I froze immediately were moldy, and a really nasty hair in my garlic naan that seemed to be an animal hair.

Ugh! That's disgusting! I've steer clear of most of their dairy products.

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by suncat

I couldn't find Kildaire Farm Road, though. I've only lived in Raleigh for four days, so I've got a lot to learn.

Google map of Trader Joe's in Cary

[seattlenextyear]

Don't forget to support your local NC farmers and go to your farmer's market or local co-op when you can!

[pearljammer]

We shopped at TJ's on a frequent basis prior to moving to NC and barely shopped at Whole Foods due to costs. Although there are a lot of things at TJ's you won't find (your name brand items), they have some things there that I love such as: pita spread, pita bread, mini tacos (frozen), ready made salads, trail mix, lettuce, frozen fried rice, chocolate truffles and tons of other stuff. I've heard there's one in Cary so once we move, I'll find out where it is and will probably go there when and if we are ever close to it. I've missed that place. Whole Foods is great, especially their deli, but otherwise, expensive. Just go in and check it out. I don't think you'll be dissapointed. Oh, my husband LOVES the low-fat chocolate milk they sell. Okay, and I bought sandwich ham there too. It's lean, nummy and cheap (in comparison I should say).

[jjp4]

Looks like they are really fixing up the Holly Park shopping center (and hopefully fixing the giant potholes), so hopefully the Raleigh TJ's will be opening in the early part of '09.