Introduction
Costco is one of the most popular retailers in the United States, and its produce section is no exception. However, many Costco members have recently been voicing their concerns about the quality of the produce they are receiving. From wilted greens to moldy fruits, it seems that the produce at Costco is not up to par with what customers expect. In this article, we will explore the issues that Costco members have been having with their produce and offer some tips on how to make sure you get the freshest produce possible. We will also discuss some of the healthier alternatives to the produce that Costco offers.
Costco’s Produce Has This Big Issue, Members Say — Eat This Not That
Costco is known for its unbeatable prices and wide selection of products, but some members are saying that the store’s produce section has a big issue. According to recent reports, many shoppers are finding that the produce at Costco is often not fresh and is often past its expiration date.
One Costco member, who wished to remain anonymous, told Eat This Not That that they had purchased a bag of spinach from the store only to find that it was already wilted and past its expiration date. “I was so disappointed,” they said. “I had been looking forward to making a salad with the spinach, but it was already too late.”
Other shoppers have reported similar experiences with other produce items, such as apples, oranges, and tomatoes. Some have even gone so far as to say that the produce at Costco is often not as fresh as it is at other stores.
So what can shoppers do to ensure that they are getting the freshest produce possible? The best way to ensure that you are getting the freshest produce is to buy it from a local farmer’s market or grocery store. These stores often have produce that is picked and sold the same day, so you can be sure that it is as fresh as possible.
If you do decide to shop at Costco for produce, make sure to check the expiration dates on the items and look for any signs of wilting or discoloration. If you find any of these signs, it’s best to avoid the item and look for something fresher.
At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that fresh produce is essential for a healthy diet. So if you’re looking for the freshest produce possible, it’s best to shop at a local farmer’s market or grocery store.
One of the many reasons the 100+ million Costco members love the warehouse chain is the size of the products sold. Convenience is key, and stocking up the house with cleaning and other staples, the pantry with beloved snacks, and the freezer with popular items is Costco’s specialty. But there’s one section of the warehouse some members say should be approached with caution—the produce.
At one time or another, we’ve all discovered a forgotten bag of fresh greens in the back of the fridge a few weeks after buying it, but imagine the bag is bulk-sized. That’s a lot of food that can go bad quickly, and a reason some members don’t buy produce at the warehouse chain.
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One member on Reddit brought up the debate in a post on May 10, noting they bought a container of around a dozen peaches but only five were not covered with mold on the inside.
Fruits and vegetables go bad, of course, but this isn’t the only instance of concern from members. Even during the cooking-at-home phases of the pandemic, they were noticing this issue. Last fall some explained why produce does not make it on their grocery list when shopping at Costco.
“We very rarely buy fruit & veg because it’s just the two of us and we don’t go through it before it goes off,” one said.
“Finally smartened up (after about a dozen bags) and stopped buying the refrigerated broccoli because we can’t go through it fast enough. Starts getting slimy and gross. Picked up the frozen on my last trip,” another noted.
Swapping for frozen alternatives is a great strategy to ensure the fruits and vegetables you buy at Costco will last. But if you want to stick to fresh, this route can be avoided if things like potatoes, bell peppers, apples, carrots, and garlic are stored properly. Doing so can expand their freshness for quite a bit longer than other fruits and vegetables like berries, peaches, apples, bananas, and lettuce.
Unfortunately, produce isn’t the only item that should be avoided in the warehouse. Here are 18 Foods You’ll Regret Buying in Bulk at Costco.
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Amanda McDonald