I buy blueberries and blackberries from Stop & Shop all the time, and more often than not, I am able to spot a few moldy fruits buried at the bottom of the plastic container. This is why I always inspect the containers from all angles. If there is visual evidence of mold, then I will avoid all adjacent containers or that type of fruit altogether. In a way, their inconsistent quality has pushed me to explore new types of fruits I wouldn’t have otherwise tried.

One time, a bag of almonds (Stop & Shop brand) I bought had evidence of some type of bug infestation. The almonds had unusual holes (as if something bored into it). Cracking it open, I found fluffy, cobweb-like substances inside. Threw out the entire bag, and now I will only buy their almonds if they are stored in see-through containers, so I can do a careful inspection before purchasing.

I also stopped buying their store-brand chicken. Had to throw out an entire tray of chicken breast one time because it was rancid. For a poor student, discarding an entire tray of chicken breast is a huge blow to not only my wallet but also to my nutrition and overall morale that week.