A sign of hard times??

[WV_mom_of2]

I've posted before that I live in a pretty rural area. We only have one small locally owned grocery store in my area and to find a larger chain grocery store you have to drive 35-60 minutes. This local store is expensive, but he runs pretty good sales at times and in the past he's always been sure to have really fresh produce and meats, etc. He goes out of his way to take something back if you need him to, to special order items for you,etc.

In the last year or year and a half the store is really going down hill, fast! His produce is always rotten. You pick up a head of lettuce and it's slimy and black on the bottom. The apples and cucumbers are shriveled and soft. Last week his tomatoes had black rotten spots in them, etc. He wants to charge 1.89 for a head of rotten letttuce!

Lately the meat dept. is horrible. EVERY time I go in there I find something rotten in the meat dept. Week before last there was a package of green bologna hanging there. Last week it was a package of hot dogs. This morning I went in to get a couple of packs of bacon. Dh is off this weekend and I like to cook a big country breakfast on those weekends. I found TWO packs of bacon that were very obviously spoiled(two different brands)! I went to a different brand and sorted through every single package to be sure none of it was spoiled and then bought two.

Last week he had bread on sale. I picked up two loaves and when I got to the checkout line and started to put them up on the belt, both loaves were ripped open clear down the side! It's getting where I am afraid to shop there anymore. I worry that it might be a health hazard for my family. But that's really going to put me in a bind as it's hard to get to the bigger towns sometimes and I hate to drive that far when I only need a few things. I guess I will just have to bite the bullet and do it!

I'm guessing this is a sign of hard times for the guy who owns the store. Trying to keep things and sell them before ordering more, although he'd never sell someone something that the knew was spoiled. But I think he needs to keep a closer watch on his meat guys, etc. I've pointed out things to him several times and he apologizes but it seems nothing changes. I feel really sorry for the elderly in my area who have no where else to shop!

[fixer]

I am really afraid that a lot of the small businesses we have come to depend on will not make it. We have already seen one that has closed it's doors. It's is amazing how much people who were "spenders" supported. I told Dw that we were getting the benefit of people who supported businesses much more than we did. Things are going to look a lot different when the dust settles.

[Lady_V]

What about calling the board of health?

I understand this is the only local store, but there is a big difference between being local/expensive and local/lethal.

[perSue]

wow this is not good.
is it possible to make one really big trip into town and buy a lot of food?
i know produce doesnt last long.
what about local growers? farmers? neighbours?
can you grow your own produce?
do you have appliances at home to help out, like a bread machine?

i'd see about making a co-op of sorts with your neighbours if at all possible. i'm sure they feel the same as you do about this town market... and no technically you're not competition, because you (and your neighbours) aren't running a business... just supplying foods for trade, or small sale (say a dime per tomato or something).

Otherwise, I'd agree about contacting the local health board... that's not good on any level. I sure hope people aren't eating that food.

good luck!

[carlitasway]

If it were me I would start thinking of making the trip to the other stores and shop for 2 weeks or even longer. Have you talked to the local store owner about your concerns?

[Milly]

I feel really sorry for the guy if he's struggling, but SHEESH! He can't be oblivious to what's going on.

Maybe he could get out of the contracts he has (Heaven knows he has cause) and start acting as the clearing house for the co-op perSue suggested. People could bring their home-grown produce, home-baked bread, eggs or whatever and trade it for what they need. He could make a trip to the larger town once a week for everything else at a co-op there.

Just a thought.

[PrairieRose]

I would talk to him about b/c I know the man that owned our local store and the suppliers work with them on outdated stuff. It's not like they have to pay full price and then if they don't sell it, are stuck with it. Maybe he's having health or personal problems himself....?

[WV_mom_of2]

wow this is not good.
is it possible to make one really big trip into town and buy a lot of food?
i know produce doesnt last long.
what about local growers? farmers? neighbours?
can you grow your own produce?
do you have appliances at home to help out, like a bread machine?

i'd see about making a co-op of sorts with your neighbours if at all possible. i'm sure they feel the same as you do about this town market... and no technically you're not competition, because you (and your neighbours) aren't running a business... just supplying foods for trade, or small sale (say a dime per tomato or something).

Otherwise, I'd agree about contacting the local health board... that's not good on any level. I sure hope people aren't eating that food.
good luck!

I do try to make it to the bigger towns once every week and a half or so. But we eat alot of produce and it just doesn't keep long enough for me to buy two weeks or a month at a time. I also have small crisper drawers in my fridge that just don't hold much. There is a fridge in our camper but I'm not sure it would be worth it to keep it plugged up all winter just to use the fridge.

I do garden in summer, but we live in an area with the four seasons so there is a very limited growing time. There is one small produce stand here and her prices are so high I can't even afford to look LOL.

I have talked to the guy who owns the store several times. I always bring things to his attention and he apologizes but he makes me feel like I'm a pest. I think my best bet is just to bite the bullet and shop in the other towns.

I might look into taking out the two small crisper bins in my fridge and replacing it with one larger rubbermaid type thing that would go all the way across the fridge.

[perSue]

also, i know this was mentioned on a different thread... but i use the Grean Bags (debbie myers) and they keep my produce longer.
we eat lots of produce here too and there are times when sometimes something gets forgotten... and as long as i remembered to put it in the bag, i know it'll be good for a few more days.

otherwise, i wish you the best of luck. i know it's not easy...
i hate shopping and end up having to go about twice a week during warmer months... but during winter, i try to make it once every 2 weeks (w/a small trip to get stuff like milk or bread). so i understand.

i say keep talking to the store manager, even if he does think you're pestering... you deserve quality foods - as does everyone else. And the more you and everyone else complains, the more incentive he'll have to do something about it... otherwise, and i'd even say this to him, you'll shop elsewhere.

[WV_mom_of2]

I feel really sorry for the guy if he's struggling, but SHEESH! He can't be oblivious to what's going on.

Maybe he could get out of the contracts he has (Heaven knows he has cause) and start acting as the clearing house for the co-op perSue suggested. People could bring their home-grown produce, home-baked bread, eggs or whatever and trade it for what they need. He could make a trip to the larger town once a week for everything else at a co-op there.

Just a thought.

As far as I know there are no co-ops around here anywhere. He does buy some home grown produce in summer and he buys eggs from farmers to sell but man the prices are nuts! I'm positive that he couldn't sell homemade breads and things unless it was made by someone with a food handler's card and a permit.

I think I'm going to just have to rethink my storage problem and maybe plug up our camper and use the fridge in there for produce. A friend suggested to me that I just buy canned stuff, and I do buy some corn, peas and green beans. But we all prefer most of our fruits and veggies to be raw and I hate to deprive my family of something that is so good for them!

[homeschoolmom23]

I would make the longer trip.Look at all the money that you will throw away if you brought something home that was spoiled.

[rainbowgc]

Time to start stockpiling. Frozen vegetables retain more vitamins than fresh - maybe you could find a good produce stand to buy fresh?

[Debbie-cat]

Time to start stockpiling when you go into the city. That is the only way how you are going to be sure to get what you want and know it is not spoiled. We face the same problems around here as it is quite a ride into town. I can't wait for summer and a garden full of fresh produce!

[WV_mom_of2]

Time to start stockpiling when you go into the city. That is the only way how you are going to be sure to get what you want and know it is not spoiled. We face the same problems around here as it is quite a ride into town. I can't wait for summer and a garden full of fresh produce!

I do stockpile canned goods, meats, hba, etc. but there is no way to stockpile fresh produce that I know of. My family doesn't like frozen fruits or veggies or many canned fruits. I do stockpile canned green beans, corn and peas though.

[MommyBliss]

Try frozen fruits and veggies. My hubby and kids LOVE them and they have more nutrients than fresh veggies. I am not a big fan of canned anymore either.