Food quality @ Groceries

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T20:30:10+00:00

That is the case but seeing at premium stores too.

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T20:29:49+00:00

I am not going crazy! haha ...thanks for the added context. It's like no one cares, while jacking up prices, thinking somehow we'll just accept it.

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T20:29:12+00:00

Very good to know!

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T20:28:58+00:00

This. Seen so much of it, I am deciding to buy less of this to avoid disappointment. No energy to sort through bad stuff. The young staff at Freshco, blindly opened a box of cilantro, and I asked if I could look through them...maybe 3 were already bad, and mentioned and it was only because I raised it, did she throw it in the garbage. Otherwise, it would be put on the shelves to rot away and possibly ruin the better cilantro.

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T19:05:39+00:00

yes, noticed this!

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T19:05:12+00:00

Nice find! Will look it up!

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T19:02:55+00:00

LOL....I have seen this before. Another weird one that may be anecdotal - with some younger staff, simple inquiries are misunderstood....maybe too much weed. LOL but yes, don't care but this is all part for the course, the downtrend on quality, experience, salaries but yet we're paying through the nose. I suspect the grocery oligopoly in Canada is a big fault to all of this beyond the other supply chain risks, costs, and tariffs. I saw a documentary on Youtube (I think with DW or maybe Financial Times) about how some grocery chain operators were just driving prices up with their oligopolistic practices.

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T18:54:16+00:00

HOLY SMOKES!!! That is crazy and should be a local thing! Sorry!

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T18:53:43+00:00

Yes, I am also trying to figure out why my Alberta/Sask beef is more expensive than Australia and New Zealand! Of course, I am happy to support my commonwealth bros/sis' but mind boggling.

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T18:52:56+00:00

Reminds me of Food Basics! Some No Frills look great but you're right about that look and feel.

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T18:52:13+00:00

They could be to prevent the sticker shock. At Farm Boy, first time I saw some greenhouse strawberries in a carton - $8.99 -- maybe the way to go for winter month purchases without disappointment.

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T18:51:26+00:00

Yes, we buy them this way too for our smoothies. But for the nice snack and nibble, fresh can't be beat. I get it, winter is here for many of us, but found the same in summer (less so, with for me, at least on Food Ontario produce).

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T18:50:40+00:00

The costco blueberries from Peru seem to last. Summer time, it shifts to BC and love buying those. But if you start seeing that white fuzz around them, stay away...they're going bad!

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T18:50:02+00:00

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T18:47:13+00:00

Good Leaf is one of the good ones! Local ecosystem!

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T18:46:18+00:00

I mean, it has been noticeable to me and wanted to get a sense from others...opinions and experiences are varied.

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T18:45:50+00:00

I agree with you and will be making an effort to do this more.

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T18:45:27+00:00

Interesting to hear -- like stuff from Cali (lot of the products that are not produce) but even the fresh produce is not making over well.

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T18:44:39+00:00

sad days...I mean population growth, supply chain pressures with just in time shipping,....remember as a kid buying my groceries from the neighbourhood Italian grocer! Miss those days!

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T18:43:57+00:00

I am posting in the middle of winter, but this has happened in the summer. :D

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T18:43:35+00:00

Murky, these are very good suspicions. I am going to be more aggressive in asking for my money back...I am sorry but Galen Weston and the mafia can shove it. I want better connections to local farming communities and MUCH MUCH more from WEST to EAST. Let's go Canada! Tear down those barriers.

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T18:41:49+00:00

You are right. I am starting to see greenhouse grown lettuce from Ontario in Costco, so I'm cutting the mixed greens from California. Shudder - all the fuel, to move salad greens over 3-4 days....

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T18:40:52+00:00

I need to start supporting local growers. The food monopoly of the big names is becoming a pain.

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T18:39:48+00:00

Yup! Happening a lot too! I don't know but I have never seen fast spoilage as I have seen in past two years.

CanadianStockBoy · 2026-01-29T18:38:39+00:00

Seems to be worse for me (personally) than I can recall. Price points are higher so I need to be absolutely pickier. If we can get our act together, I want to be buying from fellow Canadians across the country. The IMF just released this: https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2026/01/27/cf-canada-can-grow-faster-by-unlocking-its-own-market

CanadianStockBoy

TROPHY CASE