NFriday wrote:I personally hate Jerry's parking lot and the store in general. ... The only thing at Jerry's I was even remotely interested in buying was pineapple that they had for 2/$1.
Yes I have to pay more, but I have a much more pleasant experience buying my produce at the farmer's market. Last Saturday I ran into two friends there, and I got to try a new peach variety.
Parking at Stanley's is IMHO worse than Jerry's, where I go at 8:30 AM if at all possible. And I know we are supposed to "buy local", but I need my avocados, pineapples and other exotics, many of which are not available at farmers markets, and I can afford occasionally at Jerry's (like dragon fruit). The portabella mushrooms are good as are the bags of mesclun greens. And quarts of Fage strained Greek yogurt for $5.50. And olive oil, balsamic vinegar, giardinare (?sp) in gallon containers, salad dressing, taffy apples. Closeout sales of new products companies trialed or imported (big stacks of 82% cacao chocolate bars 2/$1, dark chocolate with pistachios) many of which I take to activities as contribution to snacks there.
I have tried a number of new varieties and new fruits from Jerry's, and yes, I have also from farmer's markets....and from my garden. I have had up to 30 some varieties of tomato when I started my own seeds (only a dozen this year from several nurseries). multiple colors of raspberries, including black which, if ever available to purchase, you need an armored truck to bring the cash along. I have 7 kinds of grapes, a 5 on one pear tree (none of which are sold in stores), Asian pears, enough basil one year to make 16 quarts of just basil/oil/nuts (keeps better to add cheese when serving), 3 kinds of collards, other varieties of greens and lettuces, countless sweet, mild and hot peppers. The time restrictions on farmer's markets are a problem for me.
I get most of my organic foods at Fresh Thyme plus bulk items and filtered water. Never liked "Whole Paycheck Foods", and refuse to buy from Amazon now, so that is out forever (hope that isn't considered political). I heard that something like 60% of all online dollars go to Amazon, and I feel that is too much.
--Carey aka underdog