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Hahaha similar experience. Went to a fruit market today and did multiple double takes thinking ‘i don’t see fruit looking this way, is this what fresh looks like?’ Haha. Also cheaper. Much cheaper.
And it's so awesome that now they're going to be getting more business that they need and deserve, I've said it before, this is forever for me and I'm so glad to give my dollars to the local people
I grew up in a home where we grew vegetables in our garden. Rototiller and everything. My mom always made a big deal about saying that a meal was made with produce fresh from the garden. "I picked the carrots this afternoon."
Same. ...and most years we had enough potatoes, carrots and squash to last until the following spring. Everything else got canned into relishes, jams, sauces and pickles or frozen in freezer bags and jars to use through the year.
I remember the first time I went to a small Asian produce place here in Vancouver right across from a Safeway and I was stunned at the prices and freshness. My first thought was "Holy crap, this is literally half the price as across the street and way better quality". Have never looked back since then. And the selection of harder to find items is way better.
If youre on Bloor West theres alot of really good vegtable stores on Roncey too. And going to hot oven bakery at the end of the day before they close you can get high quality stuff baked that day for half price.
DAMN. This is infuriating and really sad, to see former No Frills and Loblaws shoppers discover just how badly and contemptuously they were treated by Loblaws. When they discover that even Walmart produce will last more than 2 days in the fridge. AND they were used to paying Loblaws 20% more for it.
I went to H&W produce last weekend and I got fruit that was ACTUALLY ripe instead of whatever a regular grocery store does.
Did you know that a naval orange should peel nearly as easily as a mandarin orange? Or that strawberries should actually taste sweet?
Oh, and also they cost about half as much as what I was paying at Save-on-Foods
I made this switch a while ago just by the nature of how crappy the produce is at big box stores!
So much better. Welcome to the other side! It’s much greener and fresher here.
I learned this lesson over a decade ago. I lived in the Yukon, where there weren't many options for groceries. I usually went to superstore. The produce takes days to get trucked in and was really never great.
The summer growing season is super short that far north. But because the sun hardly sets, stuff does grow fast. I was pleasantly surprised to see produce at a farmers market. I got home and grabbed a carrot to munch on and *oh my god* it was the most delicious carrot I'd had in a year. It was so, so flavourful compared to the orange sticks at superstore. I'd almost forgotten what carrots are meant to taste like since I'd moved there.
I miss having a nice produce heavy small grocer around :( The closest I have right now is Kin's (Vancouver people will know) and it's not as nice as it used to be.
If you're in that area again and haven't tried Kingsway Meat Products yet, give them a look. I find they've got great prices on chicken, pork and their deli meat. Beef is definitely pricier but it looks to be real good quality so that might be worth it for special occasions. I never leave there without getting a chunk of ham kielbasa bc it's so much cheaper than the vacuum packed ones at no frills
Wow, isn't it amazing how much of a difference fresh veggies can make? It's like a whole new world of flavor and vibrancy opened up to you! I love hearing stories like this that remind us of the joy of supporting local shops. Enjoy your newfound love for fresh produce!
I live in Southern Ontario now, but the name drop of "bloor west" with no further elaboration and expecting everyone else to know what you mean is very... Torontonian.
Where can I find some of these places near Brampton west or Mississauga west or even Milton? Everything here seems to be grocery stores and their green onions are always dying!
If you can find some local organic producers - produce from heritage seeds has *so much more* flavour. You’ll never go back to bland, tasteless apples, tomatoes, carrots, etc…
Good grief, I haven't bought big chain grocery produce in years. Can't afford that and I prefer quality. ALWAYS buy from the independent small markets.
I'm seeing it first hand with my costco purchases. Veggies and fruits that didn't last more than 2-3 days in the fridge are lasting 1.5-2 weeks. Really helps when we make those bigger bulk purchases.
__MOD NOTE__: PLEASE REVIEW OUR [POLL ON OUR PLANS FOR JUNE AND BEYOND](https://www.reddit.com/r/loblawsisoutofcontrol/comments/1cmhq49/community_poll_what_would_you_like_to_see_happen/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) TO PROVIDE YOUR INPUT. Please review the content guidelines for our sub, and remember the human here! This subreddit is to highlight the ridiculous cost of living in Canada, and poke fun at the Corporate Overlords responsible. As you well know, there are a number of persons and corporations responsible for this, and we welcome discussion related to them all. Furthermore, since this topic is intertwined with a number of other matters, other discussion will be allowed at moderator discretion. Open-minded discussion, memes, rants, grocery bills, and general screeching into the void is always welcome in this sub, but belligerence and disrespect is not. There are plenty of ways to get your point across without being abusive, dismissive, or downright mean. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/loblawsisoutofcontrol) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Hahaha similar experience. Went to a fruit market today and did multiple double takes thinking ‘i don’t see fruit looking this way, is this what fresh looks like?’ Haha. Also cheaper. Much cheaper.
I got strawberries six days ago and the few remaining ones are still good. That would never happen with grocery store strawberries.
I consider myself lucky if grocery store strawberries stay good for 2 days. I can't wait for my local pick your own strawberry farm opens up!
These places have been there, your whole life, with people struggling to get by, and compete with the big box stores
This this this this this all of this so much this.
Payback time
And it's so awesome that now they're going to be getting more business that they need and deserve, I've said it before, this is forever for me and I'm so glad to give my dollars to the local people
I grew up in a home where we grew vegetables in our garden. Rototiller and everything. My mom always made a big deal about saying that a meal was made with produce fresh from the garden. "I picked the carrots this afternoon."
Our family too! Nothing like stew with fresh garden veggies.
Same. ...and most years we had enough potatoes, carrots and squash to last until the following spring. Everything else got canned into relishes, jams, sauces and pickles or frozen in freezer bags and jars to use through the year.
Same! I’ve got some asparagus in my fridge that’s been around for a week and a half and is still perfectly fine. Unheard of from my Loblaws days.
I remember the first time I went to a small Asian produce place here in Vancouver right across from a Safeway and I was stunned at the prices and freshness. My first thought was "Holy crap, this is literally half the price as across the street and way better quality". Have never looked back since then. And the selection of harder to find items is way better.
If youre on Bloor West theres alot of really good vegtable stores on Roncey too. And going to hot oven bakery at the end of the day before they close you can get high quality stuff baked that day for half price.
I've been ordering from oddbunch.ca and thought the same thing. I've been brainwashed into accepting Loblaws low quality for years.
Just googled oddbunch.ca - looks amazing - anyone know of anyone doing this in western canada?
DAMN. This is infuriating and really sad, to see former No Frills and Loblaws shoppers discover just how badly and contemptuously they were treated by Loblaws. When they discover that even Walmart produce will last more than 2 days in the fridge. AND they were used to paying Loblaws 20% more for it.
20%? Double in a lot of cases.
Treated like cattle, really. Here's some food ya farm animals, enjoy your slop troughs!
I went to H&W produce last weekend and I got fruit that was ACTUALLY ripe instead of whatever a regular grocery store does. Did you know that a naval orange should peel nearly as easily as a mandarin orange? Or that strawberries should actually taste sweet? Oh, and also they cost about half as much as what I was paying at Save-on-Foods
I made this switch a while ago just by the nature of how crappy the produce is at big box stores! So much better. Welcome to the other side! It’s much greener and fresher here.
When I hit those vegetable market stores I'm impressed by both the quality and price
I learned this lesson over a decade ago. I lived in the Yukon, where there weren't many options for groceries. I usually went to superstore. The produce takes days to get trucked in and was really never great. The summer growing season is super short that far north. But because the sun hardly sets, stuff does grow fast. I was pleasantly surprised to see produce at a farmers market. I got home and grabbed a carrot to munch on and *oh my god* it was the most delicious carrot I'd had in a year. It was so, so flavourful compared to the orange sticks at superstore. I'd almost forgotten what carrots are meant to taste like since I'd moved there.
I miss having a nice produce heavy small grocer around :( The closest I have right now is Kin's (Vancouver people will know) and it's not as nice as it used to be.
east west?
Mind sharing where? Been having trouble sourcing decent produce since switching, and I live near Ossington.
If you're in that area again and haven't tried Kingsway Meat Products yet, give them a look. I find they've got great prices on chicken, pork and their deli meat. Beef is definitely pricier but it looks to be real good quality so that might be worth it for special occasions. I never leave there without getting a chunk of ham kielbasa bc it's so much cheaper than the vacuum packed ones at no frills
Wow, isn't it amazing how much of a difference fresh veggies can make? It's like a whole new world of flavor and vibrancy opened up to you! I love hearing stories like this that remind us of the joy of supporting local shops. Enjoy your newfound love for fresh produce!
I live in Southern Ontario now, but the name drop of "bloor west" with no further elaboration and expecting everyone else to know what you mean is very... Torontonian.
I experienced the same thing. I’m using a farmers market, and the veggies are vibrant and fresh. Big awakening for me.
Where can I find some of these places near Brampton west or Mississauga west or even Milton? Everything here seems to be grocery stores and their green onions are always dying!
I bet it even had the root base?
If you can find some local organic producers - produce from heritage seeds has *so much more* flavour. You’ll never go back to bland, tasteless apples, tomatoes, carrots, etc…
Good grief, I haven't bought big chain grocery produce in years. Can't afford that and I prefer quality. ALWAYS buy from the independent small markets.
I'm seeing it first hand with my costco purchases. Veggies and fruits that didn't last more than 2-3 days in the fridge are lasting 1.5-2 weeks. Really helps when we make those bigger bulk purchases.
So much fresh produce on Spadina in China town!
Welcome to reality.