Trader Joes began as a small chain of convenience stores, but now it’s one of the most popular grocery stores in the United States. In fact, in a recent Consumer Reports survey of over 75,000 shoppers, it was the highest-ranked national chain.
John Karolefski, grocery store analyst and editor of Grocery Stories, says that the chain, which has almost 500 stores across the country, stands out from the rest because it has a lot of deals and unique items that you won’t find anywhere else. Not to mention the friendly employees, hand-designed signs, and of course, the free samples.
Still, not everything sold there is going to be a great deal for you. Here are five mistakes to avoid next time youre shopping at Trader Joes to maximize your savings.
Trader Joe’s has become a popular grocery chain known for its unique and affordable food offerings. Many health-conscious shoppers flock to Trader Joe’s for their selection of organic and natural products including grass-fed beef. But is the grass-fed beef at Trader Joe’s 100% grass-finished as some labels claim? Let’s take a closer look.
What Does Grass-Fed Mean?
The term “grass-fed” simply means that cattle were fed a diet primarily of grass and other forages like hay and silage. However the grass-fed label alone does not guarantee 100% grass-finished beef. Grass-fed cattle may still be “finished” on grain feeds or other supplements during the last weeks before processing.
Why Grass-Finished Matters
Grass-finished beef comes from cattle that have been fed a 100% grass and forage diet their entire lives, right up until processing. This grazing approach is better aligned with a cow’s natural diet and lifestyle. Grass-finished beef is shown to be lower in fat and calories while higher in omega-3s, CLA, vitamins A and E compared to grain-finished beef. The pasture-grazing approach also supports more sustainable farming methods. For these reasons, many consumers specifically seek out grass-finished beef.
Is Trader Joe’s Grass-Fed Beef Grass-Finished?
The answer is: it depends. Not all of Trader Joe’s grass-fed beef selection is 100% grass-finished. Certain labels do indicate when their beef is both grass-fed AND grass-finished from start to finish.
Specifically, look for the labels “100% grass fed AND grass finished” or simply “grass-finished.” Only these products are guaranteed to come from cattle fed nothing but grass and forage their whole lives.
On the other hand, some Trader Joe’s beef is just labeled “grass-fed” without the grass-finished distinction. This means they may have been finished on grain feeds or supplements before processing. To ensure you’re getting 100% grass-finished beef, look for the specific grass-finished labels.
Trader Joe’s 100% Grass-Finished Options
Trader Joe’s does offer some 100% grass-finished beef options. This includes their grass-finished ground beef and grass-finished beef burgers, both made from pasture-raised cattle. Their grass-finished steaks are also exclusively grass-fed and finished. You may pay a bit more for these 100% grass-finished products compared to just grass-fed options, but you can trust that these cows lived on nothing but their natural diet.
Other Grass-Fed Options at Trader Joe’s
Even if not 100% grass-finished, Trader Joe’s does have an extensive selection of grass-fed beef including steaks, roasts, brisket, ribs, corned beef, sausages and more. Just check the labels and descriptions carefully. While some may not be grass-finished, they are still guaranteed to follow grass-fed practices for most of the cattle’s life. This makes these products a convenient and affordable grass-fed option for shoppers on a budget.
Understanding the Labels
With so many grass-fed labels, it can get confusing for consumers. Here are some tips when shopping grass-fed beef at Trader Joe’s:
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Look for “grass-finished” or “100% grass-fed and grass-finished” to guarantee life-long grass diets.
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Products just labeled “grass-fed” may have grain finishing.
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“Grass-fed, grain-finished” means they were finished on grain before processing.
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Choose “pasture-raised” for cattle allowed to roam and graze freely.
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“American Grass-fed” beef must meet standards of the AGA (American Grassfed Association).
The Benefits of Grass-Finished Beef
Grass-finished beef offers unique health, environmental, and ethical advantages. Since the cattle eat a 100% natural grass diet, the beef is higher in omega-3s and CLA. The pasture-grazing methods also support biodiversity and sequester carbon in the soil. Further, grass-finishing allows the cows to exhibit their natural behaviors. By seeking out 100% grass-finished beef, thoughtful consumers can feel good about supporting regenerative agriculture and getting the highest quality meat.
Is Trader Joe’s Grass-Finished Beef Worth It?
Paying a little extra for 100% grass-finished beef directly supports ethical and sustainable ranchers. If your budget allows, consider choosing grass-finished options whenever possible. That said, Trader Joe’s “grass-fed” beef still follows ethical practices and is more affordable. While not guaranteed to be grass-finished, Trader Joe’s grass-fed beef still offers an excellent nutritional profile and conscientious sourcing compared to conventional grain-fed beef.
At the end of the day, Trader Joe’s provides quality choices for any budget. Just be sure to read the labeling closely and understand the differences between grass-fed and grass-finished beef. Knowing what those terms mean allows you to choose the best option for your needs and values.
You buy all your dairy at Trader Joe’sTrader Joe’s offers a wide range of milk, but you may find better prices at other grocery chains.Megan Leonhardt | CNBC
Some of Trader Joes dairy products are a bargain, such as their specialty cheeses. For example, the chains Unexpected Cheddar Cheese, which regularly earns praise, is only $3.99 for a 7-ounce package. The cheese was even voted a favorite in the chains annual customer choice survey.
But make sure youre comparing prices on other dairy items. Aldi sells its 16-ounce package of Countryside Creamery stick butter for $1. 99, a dollar cheaper than Trader Joes similar product. While Trader Joes sells name-brand butter, Kerrygold Irish Butter, for $3. 19, the same product is cheaper at both Target and Walmart. A study by CNBC Make It found that Target has better prices on things like sour cream and half-and-half.
Another item to price check: Trader Joes organic milk. The chain sells its organic variety of 2% milk for $3. It costs $4.99 for a half gallon, which may be a little more than what you would pay elsewhere. In Northern New Jersey, for instance, a half gallon of Great Value Organic 2% milk costs $3 at Walmart. 12, while Aldi and Target both sell their organic store brand varieties for $3. 29.
Its worth noting that Aldi U.S. and Trader Joes are independently operated companies with distinct but once-related corporate parents.
You don’t use couponsTrader Joe’s does sell some name-brand products, such as Kerrygold Irish butter.Megan Leonhardt | CNBC
Trader Joe’s sells a lot of items under its own private label store brand, which means you can’t use coupons on these items.
But savvy shoppers know that not all the goods sold at Trader Joes are private label. Each store typically has a limited selection of name brand items on its shelves and the chain does accept manufacturer coupons for these products.
For example, on a recent trip to Trader Joes in New Jersey, the location had not only Kerrygold butter, but also TruMoo chocolate milk. Store employees have noted that some locations carry Amys and Stonyfield products.
Some locations stock FAGE yogurt for 10 cents less than the local grocery store, the Krazy Coupon Lady site finds. So if you have a coupon, you can score big deals.
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FAQ
How do you know if beef is grass-fed and finished?
Does 100% grass-fed beef mean grass finished?
Is Trader Joe’s meat grass-fed?
Where does Trader Joe’s get their ground beef?
Is Trader Joe’s meat GMO free?
Some of the antibiotic-free options include beef hot dogs, beef roasts, and lamb loin chops. When it comes to GMOs, Trader Joe’s cannot guarantee that their in-house meats have been fed non-GMO feed unless the meat has an organic label. While all of this information is helpful, the website doesn’t tell us where the meat is actually sourced.
What is the difference between grass-finished beef and grass-fed beef?
Grass-finished beef comes from cows that exclusively eat grass and forage their entire lives. Grass-fed beef, on the other hand, can mean cattle that started on the grass and then were fed a supplemental grain diet or ended their lives eating grain.
Does Trader Joe’s sell meat?
If you were hoping to have specifics, you’re going to be disappointed. According to The Grocery Store Guy, Trader Joe’s meat products are purchased under an undisclosed name from various companies such as “Kayem Foods, Teva, and Empire” along with some others, and are packaged with the Trader Joe’s label.
Is grass-fed beef healthier than grain-fed?
Grass-fed and grain-fed beef do still contain important nutrients like vitamin B, protein, iron, and zinc, but grain-fed beef contains four times more saturated fats than grass-finished beef, which is not healthy. And now, onto grass-fed’s rightful superior, grass-finished. What is grass-finished beef?