Trader Joe's Vs. Whole Foods

[debmidge]

Which has a better selection?

[KirstySF]

I have found the both average....trader joes has a ok selction of brown rice pastas and as far as i know when i asked just one gluten free bread ( which was as hard as a brick) so i thought, ill just not have bread alternatives.

Wholefoods has a gluten free bakery but most of it is frozen....lauras wholesome junkfood for cookies and nibble is good at wholefoods.

Other than that, im just trying to stick to the basics...meat, veg, cheese, no breads (funny the weight is falling off everywhere but my gluten induced bloated belly) wish it would deflate SNIFF

Im lucky enough to have a local corner shop full of gluten free goodies....

Good Luck!

[happygirl]

Deb---

I definitely prefer the Whole Foods (I have both in my area)...mainly because of their gluten free bakehouse items, which I love. I like their selection of other gluten-free foods, too.

But, I do like TJ's french rolls...I cut them into thirds and use them as sandwich bread.

L

[jerseyangel]

Hi Deb--

I prefer Whole Foods--I don't even go to Trader Joe's anymore.

I know you're in Jersey, do you have a Wegman's nearby? I actually like them best

[Lisa]

OOOOOHHHH, to have but one choice. Lucky you!

[bklynceliac]

whole foods much better selection, trader joes much better prices.

I have found very few items at my trader joes (nyc) that are explicitly labeled as gluten-free. And the lines are insane.

[DingoGirl]

wow....I would DIE without Trader Joe's. I get many of my things there, and much cheaper than Whole Foods....but we don't have crazy lines at the TJ's by my house (there are two in town, and I happen to work right next door to one of them). I could die for their rice pudding, gluten-free waffles, the Cantella's sausage, smoked salmon, many sauces, soups, salad dressings.....on and on.

[debmidge]

Hi Deb--

I prefer Whole Foods--I don't even go to Trader Joe's anymore.

I know you're in Jersey, do you have a Wegman's nearby? I actually like them best

No Wegman's nearby....it's in south Woodbridge and I am near Elizabeth. Wegman's is not close enough to make it a regular shopping trip. Where I am in NJ developers are reluctant to build due to high taxes (too close to NYC); no one wants to pay such high taxes-they'll go somewhere else in NJ to open up; somewhere where the taxes are less and the crime is lower. They often commission "feasibility" studies about potential use for land, then all the investors bail out when the study shows that they'll only operate at a slim profit margin if they open up a store or outlet. Conversely, stores around here are closing down or using that location as the place where the "seconds" or "rejected products" go to be sold. The only Whole Foods in my area is in a very wealthy area (Short Hills/Millburn) where houses start at a half million dollars for the 1940's small cape cod type.

They are building a very large "Stop & Shop" in my town but that's because they have govt. funding as it's considered a "depressed" area. Many of the towns surrounding my town are at "half sales tax" to encourage outsiders to come to these areas to do their shopping. So that's why there's no Wegman's here and won't be. I'd love to move southward but can't do so until my mother in law passes away - my husband does not want to be too far from her because he likes to visit her a lot. She's 85 years old and lately she's not doing well - but she's probably going to outlive all of us. She and her kids have been saying "she's not going to live long" for the past 30 years now (drama queen).

[zansu]

Whole foods has lots more gluten-free specialty items, and the bakehouse stuff is great! (it comes frozen from the bakery because the gluten-free stuff goes bad so fast).

TJs has LOTS of stuff that is gluten-free if you ask at the front desk for the list. A lot of the marinated meats and sauces are gluten-free -- which is not the case for similar items in a "regular" store. Whenever both places have something, TJs will be less expensive.

I shop at both, for different things. I miss Wegman's!