Saturday, June 20, 2009

Boycott Trader Joe's? A Mortal Sin!

Today is World Refugee Day, according to the UN.

I suppose the poorPalis are demonstrating, hurling missiles and invective in Israel’s general direction. I haven’t looked at the news, but since this is Shabbat, what an opportunity, hmmm?

The American way? Why, a good old fashioned boycott on the poorPali’s behalf. In the interests of accuracy, that should be “the Marxist way”, since boycotting seems to be a collectivist notion from way back (actually, I believe it began with the Irish, but that’s another story).

The Palestinians are “refugees” because that’s what the Arab Middle East wants them to be. As unsettled people, these Arabs are a useful, disposable tool to be employed against the existence of Israel. That they know this is demonstrated by their chaotic, degraded cesspool culture of death. What do they produce? In what fields of endeavor do they lead? They teach children and women to blow people up, using their own bodies.

It’s obscene.

But here in the US, the leftist sympathizers have chosen to descend on Trader Joe’s:

The anti-Israel groups behind the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement effort have called for concerted action on June 20 (World Refugee Day) to “de-shelve” Israeli products from Trader Joe’s. Somehow, the Arab regimes that have kept their Arab brethren locked in refugee camps for 60 years avoid any responsibility for this-I don’t see Lebanese, Egyptian or Jordanian products being targeted.

Now, I only know of 3 ways to “de-shelve” a product- you get the store to pull it off the shelf, you buy it, or you steal/vandalize it. Given that the first has already proven a failure (Trader Joe’s refused to stop selling Israeli products), and I don’t think they plan to BUY a whole bunch of couscous, that leaves stealing and vandalizing.

You’ve probably seen this one before. In fact, we may have run it here. If so, it’s still worth repeating:


Boycotting Trader Joe’s is like boycotting the best candy store for grown-ups that you can imagine. Sure, the aisles are a teensy bit narrow, people stand there blocking your way while they talk interminably on their cell phones, the end caps are a bit precariously stacked. But…
- - - - - - - - -
It’s Trader Joe’s! Where you can find your heart’s desire - even the one your heart didn’t know it was desiring. See that rice infused with a slice of truffle? Go on, buy it. You only live once. Or the frozen mango? How about some ready-to-go escargot? Chocolates to die for? House brand lemon curd that is as good as anything in the UK?

I could go on…but if you’ve never been to Trader Joe’s, and I’ve only been twice, just google the name and look at their items.

So these dumkopfs want to boycott TJ’s because it has the temerity to sell Israel-made products? A real smart move, one sure to enrich the refugees of the world and to make their lot easier.

A supporter of TJ’s and of Israel says:

Purchasing Israeli-made products at Trader Joe’s isn’t a hardship, by the way. The Israeli products it carries are excellent ones, and can comfortably fit in any kitchen and pantry. A non-inclusive list of products is Dorot Crushed Garlic (one of my freezer staples), Dorot Chopped Cilantro, Dorot Chopped Garlic (also a freezer staple), Holyland Matzos, Pastures of Eden Feta Imported (many people consider this to be one of the best Feta cheeses around), Trader Joes Israeli Couscous (ditto for best couscous) and Trader Joes Harvest Grains Blend.

Heck, purchasing anything at Trader Joe’s is definitely not a hardship. I am fortunate that there is not one near us or I would fall into temptation for sure.

Bring on the black bean dip…the fire-roasted corn chips…the horrible parking lot. I love it all.

Y’all be sure to shop a bit for me. Try those Israeli tomatoes. Or the wine. Or the feta. Eat to my health!

Mazel Tov!


Hat tip: Brutally Honest

9 comments:

The Rational Fool said...

I am a regular at Trader Joe's, but other than the couscous, I haven't tried any of the other products in your list. This certainly gives me an opportunity to try them.

Does it count as a "mortal sin" if I helped this deshelving movement with option #2? I guess not. What a disappointment!

Jack Steiner said...

I love Trader Joes. Really the only significant problem there is the parking issue, it is always bad.

Whiskey said...

Parking is TERRIBLE at Traders. Because they have terrific bargains on:

Coffee: both the Mocha Java and the Columbian are outstanding values. Their coffee filters are very good and cheap too.

Wines: Two Buck Chuck!

Charcoal -- one of the best buys out there -- all natural charcoal, only corn starch as the binder, far better than Kingsfords (which has lots of carcinogen chamicals for binders).

Pecans and other nuts -- terrific value. Also cookies, frozen fish, and eggs at $1.49 a dozen.

Olive oil -- another great buy. REally if you are in SoCal, you should go there. They're not great for everything, but are for lots of things.

Jedilson Bonfim said...

When my wife and I used to live in the US, we had the privilege of living five blocks away from a TJ's. Needless to say, we usually went there already prepared to walk back home uphill with a few heavy paper bags in our hands.

There were seasonal items, such as frozen roasted chestnuts, we could only get from mid-fall until a few weeks after Christmas. There was cheese and chocolate imported from Switzerland which were cheaper than in their country of origin. And so many other great things at prices one wouldn't see any cheaper at other major grocery-shop chains.

TJ's boldness in not giving in to those moronic, morally-blind, Hamas- and Hezbollah-loving leftards is one more reason for shopping there. Too bad I'm living thousands of miles away from the nearest one.

Unknown said...

Israeli garlic? Does that keep the islamo-vampires at bay?

Dymphna said...

@Jedilson Bonfim...

You could walk to Trader Joe's and you left??? omg.

I would've gone with one of those rolling carts they make and...

oh, never mind. It doesn't bear thinking about.

I just did a location search and there is one not far from my son's house. Oh my. Time for a visit, even if my cracked ribs have to endure a car ride.

What's a little pain when Trader Joe's is the destination.
________

Islam O'Phobe

I wish it worked. We could smear Israeli garlic on everything. Put it in a base of schmaltz (chicken fat) and it would adhere.

Dymphna said...

Oh, btw, Whiskey, thanks for the shopping list.

"Two buck chuck" is something I'll have to get for the enologist in our family.

BTW, when I went to the locator, I noticed there are stores that don't carry alcohol. Interesting.

Zenster said...

Trader Joe's is sort of like the Ross Dress for Less of grocery chains, except with an organic twist. One just opened up within walking distance of my home and I am a regular shooper there.

Many of their non-house brands are remainders that they sell out. Another major issue I have with TJ's is the overpackaging of their vegetables. That said, it is due to their business model that they do not sell vegetables in bulk.

All that aside, I am a patron of TJ's for the following reasons:

● Their cheese selection is outstanding. Especially so for a store of its size. They occasionally stock a wood-boxed Rustique Camembert that is simply fabulous. Look for a trio of flavored crottin goat cheeses. They are delightful. Their grated Parmesan is better quality than all national brands and comes at a lower price.

● TJ's prices on dairy, butter & eggs usually beat the tar out of major supermarkets, and many of those staples are organic or hormone free. Among these products is their new "Lebni" style kafir cheese yogurt which is a passable facsimile of the real thing. (Real lebni has cream as its first ingredient.)

● The house brands, while not always price competitive, usually do not have the alphabet soup of preservatives, agents and stabilizers found in bulk produced goods. The flavor profiles of TJ's own products can be hit or miss but they make a good effort. Their pork gyoza (pot stickers) are a decent value.

● One place where TJ's shines in is their wine department. Their beers are slightly overpriced but the selection is good and of reliable quality. Be sure to try the 2007 Valréas "Cuvée Prestige" Côtes du Rhône Villages from the Enclave des Papes area of the Rhone Valley in France.

L'Enclave des Papes - This history goes back to when the Popes had their seat in Avignon. In 1316, the Sacred College of Cardinals purposely chose a sickly weak man as the second Pope of Avignon. The Cardinals hoped they had elected a Pope whose reign would be short. In fact, John XXII left this world in his 89th year after 18 years of pontifical reign. Thanks to a conscientiously followed course of Valreas wines, he earned himself good health and longevity. To be certain he would always have access to his elixir on Sept. 27, 1317, John XXII purchased the seigniorial rights to the Valreas estate to which he soon added the Villages of Visan, Grillon & Richerenches. The Enclave des Papes was born. This convergence of quality is founded throughout the whole estate; Valreas, Visan, Grillon & Richerenches all have the appellation "Cotes du Rhone Villages." The winegrowers of the Enclave are so conscious of this that they have deliberately defined, toughened & controlled their own production rules (governed since 1937 by the Cotes du Rhone) to guarantee the quality of the "Enclaves des Papes" thanks to the association of Producers of the Enclave des Papes. [emphasis added]

At a lousy $5.99 per bottle this blend of 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah is easy on the palate yet possessed of a remarkable mineral finish more common in wines many times its price. I have shared numerous bottles of this delightful vintage and the flavor profile is consistent. An outstanding bargain by any definition. Excellent with lamb, beef or marinara pasta dishes, it also goes well with numerous cheeses.

That TJ's is resisting any call to abandon their sale of Israeli products is just icing on the cake and will only strengthen my loyalty to their organization.

Anonymous said...

We just got a TJ's here in Nashville, and I am one very happy grizzly-bear! The coffee selections are great, the bread is the best "store-bought" you can find, the help is courteous.

For those of you who are cereal eaters, "Joe's-Os" are the closest non-Cheerio there is to Cheerios, and all of the cereal prices are cheap cheap cheap!

- the friendly grizzly