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Originally Posted by zinemama  I agree that the produce is overpackaged. I never buy that, anyway.
But I'm confused, Lisa, about what other stuff you think is over/differently packaged than stuff anywhere else? I mean, I get peanut butter in a jar from TJ, crackers in a box, cheese in shrink-wrapped plastic, wine in the bottle, nuts in a bag (I'm mentally going up the aisles, here). And I'm just not getting the over-packaged complaint. The stuff I get there would come just the same from Safeway.
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Well, I don't know how your TJ's is set up, but in ours most of the produce is bundled and wrapped in plastic. So if you want to buy some squash, you can only buy it with in a whole package of several squash--and you can't check it out to see if it is fresh. There have been a few times that I have bought something like a pack of artichokes, only to go home and have the underside covered in mold (which I think is more prone to happening wrapped up like that). They also have lots of those packages that you just steam the veggies in the plastic with instructions, and I think they are great for people who don't know how to cook very well and are confused by the whole steaming thing--but really, it isn't hard to steam veggies in a pan. I have a friend who would never eat veggies if it were not for the "steam in the bag" ones from TJ's, so I guess that is a plus, though. Her mom never cooked, and she has never tried to learn how to make most ordinary things.
I actually think TJ's is perfect for someone like her--because they have so much pre-prepared food and half prepared food. She went from eating only tuna sandwiches and pb and j to knowing how to use the simmer sauces and boil in the bag rice and steamed veggies in plastic. Then for dessert she gets some tofutti and a TJ's cheese cake, and she is all set! They have a few veggies and fruit out of packages, but that is the exception. If you are buying grapes or apples or many of the veggies, they are bundled and wrapped there. That is not really what I look for in a shopping experience.
But I am more of a "foodie"--if I am going to buy food that is pre-made, then I want to go all out and go to Andronico's or Bristol Farms and get some really *great* food. That is a experience for the senses that anyone could love. The veggies at those stores are always top notch and a feast for the senses--you could write a song about the eggplant parmasian that I made from eggplants from Bristol Farms!
I find the pre-made food at TJ's looks like it would be tasty, but it is terrible! They have these carrot cake cupcakes that taste like the plastic they are wrapped in! The cake is dry and gross, and the frosting is a abomination to cream cheese frosting everywhere. Honestly, if I worked on the board of directors for the cream cheese frosting board, I would stage a protest!
As for it being cheaper than Safeway, I find that not to be true for me at all. I buy mostly organic (especially meat and dairy and some fruits like strawberries), but always come out of Safeway with better quality food and pay less money. There are certain items in TJ's that are cheaper (these are the "hook" items to get you in the store) but many others are much more expensive and bundled together. So you can't just buy one zucchini and one artichoke--you have to buy the bundles, which end up costing you more and potentially creating more waste. I also don't buy random treats like I do in TJ's either (although I take full responsibility for lack of will power!), because TJ's has so much in the way of chocolate bark with peppermint or Pirate Booty (which tastes like dirty feet flavored styrofoam).
I would rather just start from the basics and buy what I need from the regular grocery store--and make my own sauces. Safeway has it's own line of Organics now which are often cheaper than TJ's--because of sales. I end up spending more at TJ's--but that may be from me buying extras that I don't buy on a regular shopping trip, so your milage may vary with that. I do think that TJ's are also selling a very calculated "image" with their packaging and look of the store, but more power to them for that--that is how you make money in retail.
And I definitely get suckered in by the gimmicks once in a while. Mostly, our Safeway is such a nightmarish experience (despite living in Corporate HQ) that I would do anything to avoid it. 
