Ingles's grocery chain...Am I alone here? (Asheville, Welcome: how much, new home)

[gypsychic]

I think that produce is usually lacking in any large grocery store, and it's best to try to seek out the local farmer's markets and produce stands if possible, for better quality and cheaper produce.

That said, Ingle's is a fine grocery, it's as good as our big grocery (Publix) here in Florida. Lots of great choices and I am surprised at the sheer volume of stores in the Asheville area. We will be up in the area next week and I am anxious to see if they have completed the new one they were building on east Tunnel, which is less than a mile from our house.

I am amazed at the sheer volume of food shopping available in such a small city as Asheville. Besides Ingles, there is Fresh Market, Earth Fare, Greenlife, and all the bakeries, farmer's markets, food co-op, etc. It could definitely get us spoiled!

[Asheville Native]

I used this thread as an example of the attitude that many many people who move here then sing their chorus of "back where we came from we did............." or "back where we came from we could ..............", etc. etc.

Then you are so out of tune to the fact that some of us have lived here all our lives, and you are attacking what we feel was a great place to live and raise a family until all the whiners come in complaining and trying to change things to their defination of 'better' which likely isn't better, but they would rather try to change us instead of changing themselves. And that folks is why outsiders are just that, and welcomed as such.

And I also have examples of where I grew up, not 5 miles from where I am sitting at this moment, and I am tired of all the complaining and whining by outsiders. If it is so bad, then why are you here?

We all know that Americans are viewed as "ugly Americans" in most of the world, now why would that be?

It isn't about the produce, it is about the attitude.

OBTW, the produce in most chains is severely lacking, thus we don't buy ours there.

[the Parkies]

Originally Posted by SunnyKayak

I understand your frustration but instead of bringing in a chain from a different state try to get what stores and markets available in the area to carry more organic products. Let Ingles management know of your concern by stopping in their headquarters. Especially since Ingles does provide jobs to Asheville residents not only in it stores but as well as it corporate headquarters.

Instead of being a transplant changing what makes North Carolina the state it is shop what is available like the numerous farmer markets. Remember without jobs or by not buying local you are killing the hand that feeds you and the long term affect is someone loosing their home, farmland, and job.
Here is list of places you can shop.

Sunny Grove on Page Avenue
Ledford Produce on Weaverville Rd
GT Little Farmer Market on Butler Bridge Rd
WNC Farmers Market on Brevard Rd

Black Mountain Tailgate Market
Where: 500 Montreat Rd. (Hwy 9 N. at exit 64 off I-40), yard of UU Congregation. Black Mountain, NC
What: Our market is a seasonal Saturday morning community event. We have an array of vendors, including mostly organic and sustainable growers, of produce, plants and herbs. We have local bakers and other food preparation artisans, with hot coffee and other drinks available. We have several artisans, including pottery and jewelry, and handmade soaps, lotions, candles, and such. We enjoy seeing children play on the lawn while their parents or other adult supervisors shop. Pets are welcome if on a leash, as required by town ordinance. We are there on Saturday mornings, rain or shine.
When:

• Sat 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

French Broad Food Coop Saturday Tailgate Market
Where: 76 Biltmore Ave. next to the French Broad Food Co-op. Asheville, NC
What: Asheville's original all organic tailgate market, serving Asheville and surrounding communities on Saturday mornings since 1990. You will find freshly picked organic vegetables, fruits, berries, herbs and flower bouquets plus garden, herb and landscaping plants. Local honey, freshly baked breads from a wood fired brick oven, vegan and non-vegan baked treats, eggs, pies, goat cheeses, jams, mushrooms, and locally raised meats. Voted Asheville's Best Tailgate Market for over five years.
When:

• Sat 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Friday Afternoon Tailgate Market at Greenlife
Where: Greenlife Grocery, just north of the I-240 connector. Located just 1/4 mile north of downtown Ashville. Along the grassy edge of parking lot. Asheville, NC
What: New for the 2006 season, the Friday Afternoon Tailgate Market at Greenlife will feature organically grown garden and landscaping plants, fresh picked produce, blueberries and fruits. Fresh baked breads and desserts. Fresh farm eggs, honey, jams, cut flowers, and other seasonal treats from local, organic/sustainable farms.
When:

• Fri 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Greenlife Tailgate Market on Wednesday Afternoon
Where: Under the locust trees, next to the parking lot. Asheville, NC
What: We offer a wide variety of sustainably grown vegetables, fruits, berries and plants. You will also find freshly baked treats, goat cheeses, herb and flower bouquets, and fresh fruit preserves. All the produce is local and freshly picked.
When:

• Wed 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Thanks, SunnyKayak, for your constructive suggestions. I printed out your list and will add it to the list I already had for wonderful sources of produce in this area!

[MrTudo]

I wish we had a few farmers markets nearby here in Port Charlotte

[the Parkies]

Originally Posted by Asheville Native

This thread is a perfect example of "back where we came from we could .......................".

Well if that is such a big deal, the choices are clear:

Move back to where you came from
or start your own grocery store chain to correct the egregious wrong of having to shop at the stores that are here, (or what ever the topic of the day of what is wrong here).
or just keep you yap shut.

I'm sure your momma taught you that if you don't have something nice to say, say nothing.

[Did you mean to include Bill and me in that post, Asheville Native?? I assume you did, since you wrote it immediately following my post. In any case, you apparently addressed your comments to everyone contributing to this thread, so I will respond.]

I'm sure you don’t mean to be offensive, bless your heart. But I’m afraid you don't demonstrate any form of hospitality, either, Southern or otherwise. The hospitable reply to my sincere apology, for example, would have been “Thank you—apology accepted” or simply “Thank you.” A person doesn’t have to stoop very low to accept a sincere apology from another human being.

In any case, I withdraw that apology now, as it was obviously inappropriate. I was trying, I'm afraid, to communicate on a sensitive level with a man who has machetes for antennae.

And while I definitely respect and give thanks for the contributions of people like Mr. Bob Ingle, I will continue to pass on Mr. Ingle's produce. I believe that’s my American right.

You ask transplants: “If NC is so bad for you, why are you here?” I ask a similar question of you, Asheville Native. If this thread, in which YOU are the “transplant," is so bad for you--and if this forum, which is ALSO apparently so bad for you--WHY ARE YOU HERE?? (IMHO, it is a major tribute to the patience of moderators that you have not been tarred, feathered, and shot out of a cannon by now.)

The purpose of this board, Asheville Native, as other people have reminded you, is to share experience and opinions--not attacks!! Please mind your mamma and SAY NOTHING if you can't say something NICE. You know--something constructive.

WHATEVER. In the future, Bill and I (and we hope everyone else) will choose to ignore your posts as we have in the past--including the post we suspect you're just itchin' to write, Asheville Native.

Jan & Bill

[the Parkies]

Originally Posted by Asheville Native

The greenlife at Greenlife is the bacteria growth on the employees. We stopped by to pick up a few veggies and while making a selection, an employee starting restocking some veggies. Wow the BO emanating from this guy was rancid and overpowering. I put down what I had selected and got the hell out of there.

I have no problem with bark eaters and tree huggers, but dang it, bathe once in a while.

P.S. Interesting. What you have to say about people's bodies, we have to say about your mind!

Bye, bye, Asheville Native........

[Halfback]

we eat garden vegtables from our garden all spring summer and into winter with home canned put away in good times.then stock the freezer with deer and other custom slaughtered meats either bought or self raised.
if you have ever worked in a bakery and messed up a batch of dough you first try to make seven other kinds of breads with the botched batch if unsuscessful you sell it to dog food companys.
Well lately dogs are getting sick from wheat gluten from china .
wheat gluen is an ingrediant in all bread making.and the news was wondering if the tainted gluten could also be in the human food supply and i say it was probably there first and hushed up by the goverment inspectors so they won't have to resign like that FEMA frat buddie of Dubyas after the Hurricane Katrina.
i had worked in the seafood industry for 10 years on the docks buying and selling fresh gulf fish .i have seen over the years the poor quality imports that sells people with commissions try to pass off to restaraunts progressively get worse or the restaraunts become more accepting of inferior product that would have been deemed enedible .All the local fishermen knew of the banned antibodics in the chinese catfish and shrimp years ago but they were just called fanatic rants and unproven allegations.so they could pay american shrimppers crabbers lobstermen tongers and draggers world market prices for what any dumb american cosumer will eat at a restraunt .oh and the murcury in highly migratory palegic fish like tuna comes from the mercury they use to cool the drills on offshore oil rigs that are artificial reefs teaming with life. now its in snapper and grouper but only because the state has no lobby group to fight the states mercury warning like the federal already warned abiut the tuna which are from federal waters'Alaskan fish lobbies fought the states recomended mercury warning on their Halibut salmon snow(opilo)and king crab.but their are still federal mercuray levels warnings on all fish. off topic but in a nut shell our american fish gets sent to japan which is willing to pay quadruple what any american is willing to pay.other than donald trunp whos palm beach realator buddie use to buy 150 pounds of our gulf coast jumbo stone crab claws once a month or more. buyer beware right but who has time and money to eat home made when you have several mortgages and several car payments.isn,t country life simpler>dont know dont want to know or dont care right?,right

[Halfback]

LOVE SYLVA AND DILLSBORO NC, IF I DID WHAT ALL THE FLORIDAINS DID 20 YEARS AGO AND BOUGHT LAND THERE I WOULD BE RICH AND COULD COMPKAIN ABOUT NO POSH PUBLX WITH nEWyORK CITY DELI CUTS too.

[lorriem]

Originally Posted by Father John

Gee, take a chill pill.

We each have only the examples of where we lived to state, good or bad. I don't know why the truth upsets you, but the truth is, the produce at Ingles, in the experience of some of us, was awful. That's just the fact.

This forum is for sharing ideas and experiences. No one is saying NC should be Florida or California or Arizona or anywhere else. We are sharing our experiences.

Please don't tell people to shut up. We need all voices here. Those things you do not like, you certainly may counter and tell your side of the story. But every voice is welcome here.

Thank you father John. When we lived in CA we always shopped at Safeway or Nob Hill then we moved to FL and for the first few months we would say gee I wish FL had a Safeway but we are now use to Publix and we will miss it when we move but give us a few months and we I am sure will find other places to food shop just as we did in other states.But within those months you all will hear from me I wish NC had a publix. That is only human nature.

[Asheville Native]

Originally Posted by the Parkies

P.S. Interesting. What you have to say about people's bodies, we have to say about your mind!

Bye, bye, Asheville Native........

I calls them like I sees them, or in this case smells them, from about 6 feet away, it brought tears to my eyes. Even the homeless around here don't smell that bad.