At Last, Results

I finally did call corporate and emphasized the fact that my trust level had dropped since I didnt know if things were organic or where they were from. The woman I spoke with was concerned and after we talked spoke with the store and then called me back to let me know the results of the contact.
I suddenly felt guilty for making problems then I thought, that is what they expect. Most people dont want to make waves, it is easier to just let it go then stand up with integrity for what you believe is the right thing. I like to think I am seeking the highest good for all.
As I entered the produce area today the apples all had signs where they were grown. Yipppeee!!
The store flyer had a little article about helping the Argentinian People prosper. So they are bringing in Organic Apples from Argentina and asking us to purchase them.
Why aren't we helping Americans prosper?  There are the poor here without water. I watched a woman out west on CBS Sunday Morning show last weekend. She was a senior had no AC and had not had running water in her sparsely furnished house her whole life. They interviewed the  woman who drove  a water tanker truck to these people offering fresh clean water. How thankful they were. There are many children in the US who don't attend school.  Why don't we help them and let the Argentinian government help their people.
I am not a politician or a diplomat (obviously) and maybe my thinking is a bit self centered.  But we are like the shoemakers children who have no shoes because the shoemaker is out helping everyone else.
We are a super power but at what cost to our people and citizens and elderly?
BUY USA AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
One last thought and it may be off topic but I need to say it. As a senior on SS I sure could use a raise in my benefits. I have worked all my life and paid taxes. If I were to get ill I could get wiped out of any small savings I might have put aside for a car repair, or a leaky roof. Yet people come here illegally and get all kinds of benefits.

Something is very wrong with this picture and our government system.

Thanks FRESH MARKET for hearing me and making the changes in the store so people can feel confident what the sign says is accurate.
Your Vigilante Shopper

STILL DOING IT, TIME TO CALL CORPORATE

Took my weekly trip to Fresh Market in Stuart FL. Notice I am mentioning the name this time! Frustration is evident. 

This is the continuing of the apple saga.  I see signs for the loose apples  Grown in the USA I pick up the first apple and the tag says USA. I see Honey Crisp ones with the same sign  pick one of thos ups, the green tag is covering the location they were grown. I peel back the tag. Argentina!!! I was done being Ms. Nice Gal, I took photos and later will call corporate. 

I was talking to another customer and he said why not talk to the manager? I said I did. I talked to the produce manager twice and once to the store manager. It was suppose to be resolved. Now today same ole, same ole. So after three times and nothing has changed I need to make a call to corporate. 

I mentioned to this customer about whole foods and the stuff they were pulling with their prices and overcharging customers. I had confidence that fresh market would not do something underhanded to thier customers. The gentleman I spoke to had not heard about Whole Foods troubles.  
I think the thing that made me upset was the cover up! They covered where it was from, that is deceitful and now I am not trusting the other produce and what the sign says. 

The first pic is clear the second not so clear I will be more careful in the future. I must admit I felt guilty taking the photos since I like people in this store, but clearly my complaint has gone unaddressed and I suspect it is the produce managers issue. 

The good thing today that happened:

they were out of the brown eggs on sale today for $2.99. I arrived at 9:30 an hour after the store opened. One box was there with some eggs that looked like they had small cracks in them. 

Tony, the manager, who I really like and is always willing to work with his customers was walking past me. I asked if I could get the $3.29 eggs for $2.99 since there would not be more coming in till the next day. I live a distance from FM and next week the sale would be over. He accomodated me. 

My last pet peeve for today, no price tag? If they were on sale I would have purchased some but there was no price. I could have taken them to the register, then someone would have to put them back if they were not in my budget. 

I love shopping at Fresh market,  they consistently offer excellent customer service. We have just hit a few bumps in the road, a small chink in the displaying of products that needs to be addressed!

IS THIS NECESSARY?

This is a bunch of cheese sticks wrapped indiviually and thrown out. They were left over from a demo.
I had 6 - 11oz cartons of chocolate milk that don't need to be refrigerated till opened. In the TRASH!!!
Thats the rule! ANY LEFTOVERS GET TOSSED!!!
WHY????
My boss is a wonderful person and he is a good company man following directions to the T.
I ache inside at this waste. There is a break room in the building, I ask if we can put it in there. They have a refrigerator in the room. NO they tried that but someone decided it wasn't okay.
There was one family that came by my cart today. They would have loved to purchase the chocolate milk but they couldnt afford the $10.99 for the 12 pack because the husband has been ill and they only have money to purchase the essentials. The kids loved the taste and gave the PLEASSSE look, but the mom looked sad and said "we just can't". The kids looked disappointed.
THEN WE THROW IT OUT!!!!
I know there is no way to give to some and not to others but why not donate to a food pantry?
I worked at Publix years ago. The stuff that was tossed was amazing. The bakery sold the left overs to a local pig farmer for the pigs.
Once again I asked WHY? Somebody told me that they use to donate to feed the poor and then someone got sick from the donated food and sued them!  I dont know if it was true, but the reason seemed logical. If it was true I understood their desire not to end up with a lawsuit from an act of kindness.
Can't we change the laws? Can't we say if it is donated food they are not allowed to sue the hand that feeds them? Has our society gotten so sue happy that providing food for the hungry can cost a small fortune?
After the hurricanes we had in FL I was without electric for two weeks. All my food gone. I was so grateful to be able to go to a soup kitchen for a meal.
What is wrong with our society that we have become so litigious?
Society has changed into a me society and seemingly without any social conscience. I believe the good outweighs the negative but it certainly makes me sad to be throwing good food away.
Bottom line, there are people out there that are hungry! It is sad to throw away so much food that could benefit people. For one the employees. Or those who cant afford food.
The problem is, if you have food on the table, you might not give those that don't much thought.
I remember how hungry I was after the storms, I never want to feel that way again. I guess that is why it bothers me so much to throw out good food.

How can we/you/me make a change? 

Publix Bogo

Last Saturday I was shopping at Publix and wanted to get Green Giant Broccoli that was buy one get one free. The only box on the shelf looked liked it was the football from a football game. Torn and tattered. I went to the courtesy desk and asked for a rain check, adding unless there is more in the back? She paged someone, no one called back and she said "might as well give you a Rain Check". She checked the add in the flyer and started writing then said "did you say box?"
"Yes" She stopped writing, "this add says nothing about boxes"
I thought okay maybe I read the sign wrong. She paged someone to come to frozen foods. I walked back and reread the signs. It said package! Was not a box a package. I was correct. No one came.
I walk back to customer service, not without taking a photo for proof!

I go back to get my rain check with these photos. She looks and said "oh I guess pkg mean boxes too!
DO  YOU THINK???
Maybe I am too picky but this knid of stuff annoys me and I feel like the stores are trying to get out of the sale. Obviously the items were popular.  I got my rain check but the process took an extra 15 to 20 minutes out of my day.
Then I thought, hey more fodder for my blog!!! So I guess I am glad it happened? LOL
WORD OF WARNING: TAKE THE PHOTO BEFORE YOU GO TO CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!!
If I had I would have saved myself some time and got home sooner.
Namaste

Scary Stuff AFLATOXINS

A friend of mine was recently diagnosed with Liver Cancer. He is in his 40's has a wonderful wife and two beautiful children. I was shocked because other then being a bit over weight he seemed to be healthy.
I was researching Liver Cancer (I am sorry I did it now) and came across a cause that can be in our foods.  I am posting the name here so you can research it more if you like.
I am a bit sorry I know about this, sometimes ignorance is bliss.
However information is power as well.
Your choice to read more about it or just enjoy your life without some blogger trying to scare you!!!! LOL
CLICK HERE  for a link to read more about ALFLATOXINS
CLICK HERE  for my google search
I guess my question is where did the stuff come from?  Why isn't the FDA doing more to prevent it?
I read so much information I am on overload and a bit scared.
The fear will pass and I will forget about this for now.
Reminding myself to just keep eating healthy and embracing life each day I am given.
Namaste my friends

BOX Says NO HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP

Yesterday at work, my product to promote was ICEE. 

As I read my promotional material one of the selling points was NO High Fructose Corn Syrup. I was happy about the product, since I feel HFCS is not healthy for people. 
On the floor I pick up my product out of the freezer. 
As I am preparing I am thinking if no corn syrup, it must have sugar. In my mind the lesser of the two evils. On the outside of the box it announces NO HFCS. However, under ingredients is Corn Syrup. 
Admittedly this threw me, since I thought corn syrup is corn syrup. NO it is not! I would have looked it up on the spot but we are not allowed to have or use cell phones on the floor.  Of course a few people asked me what was the difference? I told them I didn't know but if they had a computer they may want to research it a bit. 
When I got home I wanted to know what the difference between HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) and regular CS (corn syrup). Here is what I found on one site which seemed to match other sites.

  "Both high fructose corn syrup and corn syrup are frequently used in processed foods in place of sugar. These sugar substitutes are used because they are cheaper than sugar. They are present in everything from cereals and prepackaged desserts to sodas and different types of bread. High fructose corn syrup and corn syrup are also both incredibly hard for your body to digest. It can take up to four days for your body to fully digest high fructose corn syrup, as opposed to 24 hours to digest natural sugar. That said, you should know the difference between high fructose corn syrup and corn syrup. Here are some of the facts:
High fructose corn syrup is actually created by converting dextrose sugar that is present within regular corn syrup into fructose sugar. This process allows the high fructose corn syrup to taste remarkably sweeter than corn syrup.
Unlike high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup actually originates from a powder. It is made up of dextrose sugar, which is why it is not quite as sweet as high fructose corn syrup.
This means that you can still develop diabetes as a result of eating too many products that contain corny syrup. 
The truth is that if you're eating too much of either, you're probably doing harm to your health." Information in quotes from Fit Day for the full article click here

CLICK HERE for information on this topic from Dr. Mark Hyman
As will all things in life, moderation seems to be the best course of action.  
Another issue with some shoppers is Food Coloring. Many people with young children checked the box for the food dyes and said "that would send my child into a tailspin." Evidently food coloring affects ADD in both children and adults. My customers teach me too!
Thank you parents who are paying attention to the items in the foods they are feeding their children. 

Rotten Carrots & Celery

Recently I purchased a bag of carrots and stalks of celery for juicing.
I looked through the 2lb bags of carrots looking for some green. Most tops were black.
Checked the celery since I have thrown some away before. Looked good on the outside.
The following morning I opened the bag of carrots for my juicing. The middle carrots in the bag were moldy and rotten.
I am ready to juice! All my other veggies are cut up. Carrots and celery the last two I add.
I growled a bit, sorted through the bag of carrots. I manage to get some I could use. Sprayed them heavily with my veggie wash, (white vinegar and water). Peeled them all as well for extra protection.
The  rest in the bag will be returned to the store.
Then I pull off some stalks of celery the part of the celery where the ribs are close together near the top all dark and moldy inside the rib. I cut the celery stalk thinking it might be dirt. Nope, rotting (disintegrating) I go through the celery and salvage half the batch. Once again using my vegetable wash. I was not a happy camper. :-)
I brought the remaining carrots and celery back and got replacements. They were good with the return and apologized for the product not meeting my expectations.
How many people bite the bullet, throw it out, and just purchase more next time?  At $2.50 for the carrots and $3.99 for celery, $6.50 can almost buy me lunch at Chipoltas!!!!  .

Cost to me?

• Extra trip to the store, 
• Time, gas and inconvenience. 
• Possible health risk, 

Now I will be looking more carefully at the produce I choose.  Maybe even bring a magnifying glass for these old eyes.

CORN SYRUP IN EVERY THING!

At the supermarket today they had Turkey Breasts on sale for $1.49 a lb. I put one in my basket and went to get some Cranberry Sauce. 
When reading the ingredients HF corn syrup was the sweetener. I usually don't buy products with high fructose corn syrup if I can avoid it. 

My supermarket usually has frozen cranberries so I thought I will buy them and make my own cranberry sauce.  No Cranberries in the frozen fruits, oh well, I put the Turkey Breast back and settled for my sweet potato burger and some salad. 
My Sweet Pea Burgers made of garbanzo beans and sweet potato. are sooo good. But I needed bread crumbs. I was pleasantly surprised they had whole wheat bread crumbs. Then I read the ingredients: HF Corn Syrup!!!  In breadcrumbs????  I was not happy. I ended up making my own out of whole wheat bread with NO corn syrup. 

I did check other containers, corn syrup in all! 

Click Here for an article on why corn syrup is not the best thing to put into your body.
This article is from  Dr. Mark Hyman whose information and opinions I respect. There is plenty of information available if you want to read more about effects of high fructose corn syrup on your health. 

So how do we change this, any ideas? 

BOGO?

Last week when food shopping I noticed a sign  Mini Seedless Watermelons $2.50 each and then under it another sign BOGO on the Mini Seedless Watermelons. 
WOW!!! $1.25 each. I was thrilled. I wanted to make Water Melon Juice and Freeze some. If you never made it, it's yummy. I would have one melon for eating and one for juicing. 
I got to the register and they rang up $2.50 each. I told the cashier they were a BOGO. He began to dispute it and I went back and took a photo of the signs and showed it to him. He continued to try enforcing his perception. 
I was about ready to walk away from the whole order when he relented and gave me the two watermelons for $2.50. If the sign had said $4.99 each and the BOGO, I would have said to myself $2.50 each. But the sign said they were $2.50 each. 
At one supermarket chain I shop at, if the item it priced wrong or rings up wrong you get the item for free. This supermarket does not have that policy. 
Also, I am a senior on a fixed income, I watch my prices carefully so I don't go over budget. So, if I sound like I am making a mountain out of a molehill I would suspect you may have a larger food budget, probably working and not worried about the small stuff. :-)
For those of us struggling to pay the bills and have healthy food on the table it can be challenging. 

I consider myself a smart and savvy shopper. This particular day they stood by their signs, but not without a bit of a resistance. 


Advertising police where are you when I need you?? :-)

INCIDENT TWO

I have two supermarkets  I shop at to get my groceries. One is close to home the other is 5-8 miles from my house. I usually go once a week to pick up my organic produce for juicing. 
I purchase, carrots, celery, beets, radishes, apples (USA only) and whatever else seems good to add to the blend. 
The organic USA apples are $2.99 a lb usually. This day there was a bag of apples on sale with a sign that said USA Grown. I put one bag in my cart and on the other corner of the display a different type apple in a bag, same sign. As I was turning the bags to see what type apple it said From Chile. I looked at the other bag, same thing. They were on a display counter in front of a sign that said USA grown. I saw the produce manager and mentioned I almost purchased them. I didn't want to pay $7.99 a bag for Apples grown in Chile. (I really don't understand why we export our apples that are regulated by the FDA and import their apples that may not have the same inspection process. When exporting both have to travel in containers/ships with who knows what kind of chemical exposure). 
Why don't we just eat our own produce? I understand seasons and have learned to make my purchases seasonally but some things are available here and exported. Why is that? 
I don't understand, but suspect it has to do with profit margins. Are we sacrificing the health of our citizens to make a profit? The people at the top can afford to buy local or have their own organic gardens. Many people that are just getting by settle for what is available.
The produce manager said he would take care of it and seemed genuinely concerned. The following week, I attempt to purchase more apples. Sign says grown in USA. Once again the apples are from Chile. This got my ire up. Now I am feeling  manipulated. I wonder how many people purchased them thinking they were USA apples.  So I turned to get some of the loose apples which are usually from the  USA like the sign says. I pick up one, Chile! What the heck??? 
This time I speak to the store manager about it. The following week the produce manager says please talk to me before you talk to the store manager. I look at him stunned, I did,TWICE! Nothing had changed. 
It may sound a petty thing to get upset over, but my health is important to me and I drive a bit longer to go to this store to pay a bit more so I can nourish my body with healthy food. 

Will keep you informed as to my next visit and the apples. 
Your supermarket vigilante :-)

INCIDENT ONE

The first incident that triggered this rant happened where I worked. 

It was a warehouse club and when I was filling my spray bottles with sanitizer, bleach and water in a double stainless steel sink a person from produce was standing next to me with plastic containers of lettuce. Evidently he was either given direction or on his own choose to go through the boxes of lettuce taking the dead leaves out so they would be more attractive for sale. He was very sincere in his effort hoping this would help the store and they would lose less money discarding the ones people didn't want to buy. 

I decided on the spot I was not purchasing any salads that could be opened by an employee.  Again he was sincere in his efforts but I just shuddered at his actions. I don't want anyone touching my salad fixings before they are purchased. 

I purchase Organic Girl Salads and it has a white tape on the side that I am sure would show signs of tampering if someone chose to pick out dead leaves. I felt confident my purchase at my local supermarket was a safe bet. 

I didn't say anything, I didn't want to get this fella who thought he was doing something good and right into trouble. I just thought I am not buying any salad here unless it is in a sealed bag. 

My lack of action was not something I was proud of but at the time seemed that "easier softer way" I spoke about in my first post. 

WHY THIS BLOG?

Why I choose Vigilante Shopper for the name of this blog.
I wanted to write a blog due to some things that happened to me recently. One incident I was appalled by and another dropped my trust level in a supermarket I go to weekly. 
I guess I needed to vent my feelings and wondered if anyone else felt the same way. 
I am not sure if I can talk about a specific store or have to keep my remarks general. If anyone knows feel free to let me know. 
I can no longer turn my head or let it go! 
Maybe if enough people feel the same way or pay attention and not purchase a product the mfg will change the way they produce and promote products. 
Companies, pay attention!!!!!  
Consumers are becoming more aware, they are reading labels, they are asking questions and kudos to those of you taking an interest in what they are putting into their bodies. 
When I came home this week from the store and was trying to think of a name for a shopper advocate type site. The name vigilante came to my mind and I laughed. Then I googled the definition of vigilante  this is what came up and I thought, yes that is what I would like to create. A group of food vigilantes!!!! LOL
Definition of Vigilante: 
A member of a self appointed group of citizens who undertake law enforcement in their community without legal authority, typically because the legal agencies are thought to be inadequate. 
Where is the Food Police of the FDA? Where is the advertising police? Companies get away with stuff because most people don't want the hassle. 
Many are too busy trying to survive to question the supermarkets and manufacturers. 
Sadly I am a good talker, not so much a good doer!  Sometimes putting in the action is required instead of the standard answer to myself, "what's the use?"  Nothing changes! Take the softer easier way.  They (the big companies) count on this attitude.  
I often feel small and alone and think can anything be done? 
Maybe not, but I can make my concerns heard. Hopefully to heighten awareness, get more people to make healthier choices and in the process live a healthier more fulfilling life.
Thanks for listening. 

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thank you.