Spoiled food at Union Market? Anyone else?

Nearly every time I go to Union Market I end up with soemthing spoiled, moldy, or otherwise past its date. Today it was Cashews–I opened them up; they taste like mold. I frequently end up with moldy berries, onions, and garlic which has turned green and is about to sprout. I’ve also been sold scallops that were bad. How is it possible that this problem persists? This is supposed to be a high end place (the prices certainly seem to indicate as much). Why can’t they solve the basic problems that every other grocery store deals with? When things go bad, it’s time to take them off the shevles.

brian.spinks

in Stores 12 years and 5 months ago

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boredatwork | 12 years and 5 months ago

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Re: Shrimp.  With very few exceptions all shrimp is farmed in Asia and frozen then thawed for retail sale.   Re Union Market.  I live very near to the Court Street store and have not had an issue with quality.  Their prices, however, are so consistently above all neighborhood stores that I refuse to shop there.  While with their prices their margins are probably much higher than most other markets, (other than reputation) it is not worth the cost and effort to remove past date products from the shelves.  Most customers will not check and/or make the effort to return them.  If you are spending $5 on a container of strawberries which you can get across the street at K and Y for $2.50, you will just throw out a spoiled one.

rh | 12 years and 5 months ago

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I stopped shopping there over a year ago because something from the deli counter would also be spoiled. At those prices, I’d expect freshness.

slopemope | 12 years and 5 months ago

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i’ll be honest, everything i get there has been good.  i could imagine with the focus on the manhattan store opening they have their eye off the ball.  every time a restaurant i really like opens a second or third location the first one gets the shaft.  like clockwork.

kidbklyn | 12 years and 5 months ago

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Going to each specialized store takes time, but usually the quaity is better. I’ve never been in love with the over priced Union Markets chain. One should shop cautiously there.  Fairway’s reopening affords some relief with a greater item selection, but isn’t a total pancea. Their breads and produce need improving. Fish Tales is first class for fish store freshness. However, for the freshest fish, other than the ones you’ve caught yourself, try The Green Market’s fish purveyors. They are competively priced, but, of course, have a much more limited selection. I can’t wait until their springtime return.

daveinbedstuy | 12 years and 5 months ago

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People who obsess about buying organic are just targets for higher prices in most cases.

webby1000 | 12 years and 5 months ago

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Okay, I guess my link didn’t load.  Just google the phrase   “fake organic meat sold at union market.”  Exposed by the NY Post for selling regular meat as organic etc.

webby1000 | 12 years and 5 months ago

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One time I went to buy shrimp there.  They were out, so the guy behind the counter grabs a bag of frozen shrimp and pours them out on the ice–the same kind of bag you can get at Trader Joe’s or even many local supermarkets.  I guess I was deluded in thinking they were somehow of better quality.  The place is basically an illusion–looks nice but the same crap as any other place, unless it’s something canned or bottled that you can’t get elsewhere.  But HERE’s the kicker:   http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/all_natural_butcher_gives_buyers_VWYR2KELC248GY8QxHW42M

daveinbedstuy | 12 years and 5 months ago

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Can get everything they sell at better quality and lower prices elsewhere within walking distance

needmtg | 12 years and 5 months ago

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I don’t go there anymore after witnessing the ‘manager’ berate a client who complained (rightly) on waiting 10 mins at the butcher counter while one very (very!) slow person sort of worked. After listening to this, I interrupted and was told if I don’t like it, I could shop elsewhere. The amazing thing to me was that about 8 others, also waiting, didn’t say anything. Does anyone know who owns this market?