Sent: Monday, May 31, 2010 1:15 PM To: Web Customer Relations Subject: Trader Joe's General Feedback Form
Comments:Hello there, This month, I have been conducting a personal experiment where I attempt to buy only produce grown in North America. (Doesn't seem like it would be too hard, right?) We eat a lot of bananas, and we grocery shop at Trader Joe's weekly. Unfortunately, all your bananas (organic and non) are grown in Ecuador. And your organic garlic is from Argentina! Can't you find produce that is at least grown in North America? Thanks. Renee
Renee, Thank you for your feedback. We understand your concerns with some of our products being imported and/or farm raised. Whenever possible, Trader Joe's will try to source our produce from suppliers in the United States. However, often times domestic producers cannot supply us in the amounts that we need and at the prices we are looking for, based upon our customer demands. That is when we will source out products from other countries and sources.
All of the produce that Trader Joe's sells is grown in accordance with all current USDA and FDA regulations. Moreover, our buyers go to great lengths to ensure that we are receiving seafood that is coming from sustainable, legal sources that have a minimal effect on the environment. Our vendors work with the regulatory agencies directly involved, ensuring that the product is legally caught or harvested. Should we ever receive verifiable evidence to the contrary, we will discontinue business with that particular vendor.
Ultimately, it is our customers that determine what we carry in our stores. They vote with their dollars, letting us know directly through their purchases what they wish for us to carry. This policy applies to every product that we carry. If the volume of sales should ever drop on any item, it would stand the risk of being discontinued and no long brought into our stores.
Waiting for response from TJ's Contact Form I filled out.
ReplyDeleteMY EMAIL AND TJS' RESPONSE:
ReplyDeleteSent: Monday, May 31, 2010 1:15 PM
To: Web Customer Relations
Subject: Trader Joe's General Feedback Form
Comments:Hello there,
This month, I have been conducting a personal experiment where I attempt
to buy only produce grown in North America. (Doesn't seem like it would
be too hard, right?) We eat a lot of bananas, and we grocery shop at
Trader Joe's weekly.
Unfortunately, all your bananas (organic and non) are grown in Ecuador.
And your organic garlic is from Argentina! Can't you find produce that
is at least grown in North America?
Thanks.
Renee
Renee,
Thank you for your feedback. We understand your concerns with some of
our products being imported and/or farm raised. Whenever possible,
Trader Joe's will try to source our produce from suppliers in the United
States. However, often times domestic producers cannot supply us in the
amounts that we need and at the prices we are looking for, based upon
our customer demands. That is when we will source out products from
other countries and sources.
All of the produce that Trader Joe's sells is grown in accordance with
all current USDA and FDA regulations. Moreover, our buyers go to great
lengths to ensure that we are receiving seafood that is coming from
sustainable, legal sources that have a minimal effect on the
environment. Our vendors work with the regulatory agencies directly
involved, ensuring that the product is legally caught or harvested.
Should we ever receive verifiable evidence to the contrary, we will
discontinue business with that particular vendor.
Ultimately, it is our customers that determine what we carry in our
stores. They vote with their dollars, letting us know directly through
their purchases what they wish for us to carry. This policy applies to
every product that we carry. If the volume of sales should ever drop on
any item, it would stand the risk of being discontinued and no long
brought into our stores.
Sincerely,
Amy
Trader Joe's
Customer Relations