by Midwest Mom

Created on: May 30, 2008   Last Updated: December 13, 2011

Trader Joe's is a specialty, private label store with more than 250 locations across the U.S. Many products are produced and packaged exclusively for Trader Joe's. I shop at Trader Joe's primarily when I'm having company, when I'm looking for something a little different, or if I want some really cheap wine.

I do find the prices at Trader Joe's to be slightly more expensive especially on meats and dairy. However, in those instances you are paying for a superior product. Many of Trader Joe's meats and dairy products are hormone and pesticide free, and many are certified organic. I find the prices for Trader Joe's nuts, snacks and wines to be exceptional. If you have your favorite brands, you probably won't find them here, but you could love to grow just about everything Trader Joe's has to offer.

There's a big display at the front of my store that shows two grocery receipts one from Trader Joe's and one from the large store at the other end of the strip mall. The receipts show specific Trader Joe products and their counterparts at the other store. Trader Joe's is always a little bit cheaper.

I love going to Trader Joe's because I always find something a little different - peppermint flavored chocolate sandwich cookies, sparkling pomegranate juice, chili-spiced dried mangos, tortilla chips with sesame seeds. I just love their corn bread mix, pico de gallo, and tomato sauces.

Trader Joe's is doing a great job working to be a good global citizen. In addition to organic products, you'll also find some fair trade products and products made with sustainable ingredients. Trader Joe's also has a line of "green" cleaning products with less chemicals and biodegradable ingredients.

But I have to say, every time I go to Trader Joe's, I have to buy some wine. Some of the best wines I've had I've gotten at Trader Joe's for less than $6 a bottle. I'm primarily a white wine drinker and I've found some fabulous Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Grigios. I probably won't be giving any of the "cheap" wines as hostess gifts, but for me they are just perfect.

Another bonus at Trader Joe's is that something is almost always being sampled. On one Friday, they must have had 15 cheeses out that you could sample, plus wine. In the winter, there's always a pot of coffee or soup ready for tasting.

My kids love Trader Joe's, too. There is always a stuffed bird hidden somewhere in the store. If the kids can find it, they get an organic fruit leather as a reward. Someone in the front of the store is usually pretty willing to give a hint.

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