Grocery Musings

Candace, 02 March 2007, 8 comments
Categories: Canadiana, Culture, Ecofeminism, Environment, Family, Food, Life

A few things I’ve noticed about grocery stores, groceries, and grocery shopping:

Got any more observations?

Comments

8 Responses, Leave a Reply
  1. Skye
    06 March 2007, 11:40 am

    Could you tie a knot in the bottom of the plastic bags? Don’t know if that would make them too small for the cat litter.

    The number of bizarre and inaccurate definitions of vegetarian never ceases to amaze me. Is it really that hard? I feel like I need the internet in my pocket when I go shopping, to make sure about some of the more obscure ingredients, because who knows what the manufacturers have decided vegetarian means?

  2. Candace
    06 March 2007, 2:18 pm

    Tying knots is a great idea (for me anyway, don’t think I’d take a chance with my kids doing it – too risky 😉 ). It certainly seems that someone is making it more difficult than necessary. Do they think we’ll just decide it’s easier to purchase than tie? I hate double bagging!

    I’m tired of reading labels too but it’s all we’ve got for now. And it’s not just “vegetarian/vegetable” but had a look at anything labelled ‘organic’ lately? It’s another word with multiple meanings. And then there’s genetically modified/frankenstein foods. In Canada, labeling about GM-ingredients is not allowed either but stamping certified organic from regulating bodies that regulate that is so it can be really hard to know what you’re eating. But that’s a whole other post…..

    Amazing that we can still find healthful and delicious food to eat!

  3. jacqui583
    06 March 2007, 3:20 pm

    I agree about the bags, and I do tie knots in them when there’s holes to do litter-duty. It does make the bag quite small and you may need more than one depending on how often you scoop.

    As far as the self-serve lanes, I refuse to use them. I figure they are eliminating good paying jobs with benefits by having a computer serve me. I suppose I’m a little hipocritical as I do use bank machines, but I’ll happily wait in line for a “live” clerk in the grocery store.

  4. Candace
    06 March 2007, 4:46 pm

    But sometimes the attended lanes are too long, the clerks are miserable, and they back bananas under potatoes in the grocery bins!

    Since I’m keen for societal reform I’m okay with computers doing what they can to free up our time for other pursuits. I don’t think it’s a good use of human potential to stand for 8 or even 4 hours scanning groceries and packing bags. I understand that people need money and benefits to live in this world but wouldn’t the world be different if we didn’t?

    What else could we do if we had those hours back each week? Anything that might meet our basic needs for shelter, food, and clothing?

  5. fisherwoman
    22 March 2007, 3:24 pm

    We went to that great Tai place that we went to on Robson Street on St. Patrick’s Day. I saw that they had curry sauces for sale so Girl picked one out, then read it carefully at the table to find that it had fish sauce. It is hard being a new vegitarian and a new vegan. You have to be so careful, it is annoying.

    Jill

  6. Taunia
    24 May 2007, 11:39 pm

    I thought I was the only person who noticed this Zehrs bag conspiracy. I can no longer use them for scooping kitty litter. I’m a fan of the paper bags, but always have to hunt through the store asking for them and get treated like a thief who’s trying to steal the bags. I also like to bring cloth bags, but it’s a bit annoying to have to notify the self serve person everytime.
    I really like the way Zehrs is trying to gear itself towards a certain demographic, but at the same time it’s kinda like the’ve got your number. They know your gonna shop there, so they can get away with inconsitancies in customer service levels and food availability.

  7. Candace
    25 May 2007, 8:08 am

    I’ve noticed recently that Zehrs is now selling their own cloth bag and they’ve moved the bins into the shopping section of the store instead of just having them at the checkouts. I wonder if the holes in the bags are to push people into buying the cloth ones?

    It’s great to promote the reusable cloth option but as long as they are also offering plastic bags, they should be reuasable too. How long do you think until plastic bags are discontinued here?

  8. Zehrs Employee
    25 March 2009, 7:11 pm

    Well, effective April 22, 2009, all Loblaw Companies Corperate stores (Zehrs, Real Canadian Superstores, Loblaws, etc) will no longer provide plastic bags for free. They will be 5 cents each. Also, paper bags have been “discontinued” from stores. Please use “Green Bags” or any type of bag other than PLASTIC!!!

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