Miller Farm in Clinton, MD

Many large retail stores use secret shoppers to review their stores, staff, and customer service. The store I used to work at used this service - they make sure the staff are doing their jobs well, and you can be reviewed at any point, without knowing it until the results come back to your boss. I think it’s time for Whole Foods Union Square to use this service. Over the past few weeks, every time I go into this location I’m less and less impressed. Now it’s hit a new low. Sure, it was great to be able to wander the aisles and not have to compete for the salad tongs. But first, the fishmonger could not get my order right. NIce man, no English. It took me 4 tries to get half a pound of Tilapia when I had asked for 1 pound, and had received 3 other tries before I even got that close to my order. I also asked for half a pound of the cleaned squid - I was handed a pound package of shrimp in shell. I gave up and walked away after 15 minutes with less fish than I needed. I was also not impressed with the mussels that have been on special, which basically inspired my seafood craving. We’ll see how many are usable. At checkout, the cashier and her friend, who I assume worked there, although by the conversation they were having I wasn’t sure. The friend then loudly commented that my fish choices were going to make her vomit, and left. THEN, the remaining cashier takes my arugala bag and asked ME if it was the same prices as the spinach - am I supposed to know the price of all their produce? But, to my benefit she ended up charging me less, as did the cashier the other night who charged me for garlic when I bought mushrooms, which saved ME money. So, the results this week are only slightly skewed. After consistently shopping this store for several weeks, I’ve sadly come to realize this store, not necessarily Whole Foods in general, does not value my hard earned money. Down the street at Trader Joe’s people were helpful, and the cashier chatted, as they usually do, and packed my purchase in the bag I had brought-what service! They have been a company I’ve shopped around the country and have consistent staffs, food, and customer service. BRAVO! Other notes from this shopping trip: I bought frozen shrimp from Trader Joe’s since I’m doing 2 meals this week with shrimp and needed quite a bit. All the other fish I bought was fresh. I also bought an artisnal loaf of bread from TJ’s rather than my usual Green Market bread to save money for the fish as well. I also bought a cheaper cut of beef from TJ’s for the steak tacos since they’re going be wrapped up with a bunch of other goodness anyway. Lastly, I caved and bought the 2 for $6 strawberries at Whole Foods - there’s going to be a great dessert this week! Johnathan and I also stopped at the Miller Family Market while on a day trip to the DC area. Great seasonal produce, grown right where the store sits, and lots of busy shoppers and great peach pie! Here are the receipts and totals for this week - let’s see how we go!

Union Square Green Market

Big bunches of Basil, Parsley, and Cilantro - $5

Red Leaf Lettuce - $2

Miller Family Market

Onions - $2

Zucchini - $.62

Ripe Tomatoes -$2

Potatoes - $3.06

Total Groceries for 2ppl: $101.25

10 meals - $5.06/person/meal

That’s less than last week!

Tags: Miller Family Farm, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods