Policies and Procedures

Is Amazon Prime No Longer 2-Day Shipping?

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I’ve been ordering from Amazon Prime for many years. But lately, I’ve noticed that my orders often take longer than 2 days. So I wondered, is Amazon Prime no longer 2-day shipping?

Prime is still technically 2-day shipping. However, in 2020, Amazon started prioritizing essential orders over regular orders. It saw a significant increase in orders placed, which also created delays as they struggled to hire enough employees to keep up with demand.

So it’s just that Amazon was overwhelmed at a point, as you’ll read in a bit.

But it has been taking steps to ensure that it’s able to meet customer expectations. After all, the expedited shipping is one reason many subscribed to Prime in the first place. In fact, Amazon employed a huge number of people in 2020 to address the challenge.

But even more common is the dreaded “On the way, but it’s running late” message, I still got on an order even last week. What does this mean and is Amazon working on it??

In this article, I’ll share some vital info about some realities of Amazon Prime.

Let’s get started…

Why did Amazon get rid of 2-day shipping?

Amazon did not get rid of 2-day shipping. It’s still a part of its offering to Prime subscribers. However, starting in 2020, Amazon prioritized essential orders over other orders causing some Prime orders to be delayed.

This is a fact you can easily confirm on its website. It’s just that the company has been having challenges fulfilling its promise.

These were heightened by the pandemic because, as one would expect, there was a huge spike in demand for products, occasioned by the uncertainty that engulfed us all. Amazon simply wasn’t able to keep up with demand!

It had to focus on essential orders during the lockdown.

So, to have realistic expectations about when you’re going to have your orders delivered, it’s important to know how Amazon calculates shipping and delivery dates.

The company explained on its website why you might not receive orders within the 2-day window promised.

If the product ordered is out of stock or is not available to be shipped immediately, a customer would naturally not receive the order within that delivery window.

The 2-day window actually starts counting when the product is shipped, not when a customer placed an order.

This is because Amazon has to ascertain if it’s in stock or if it has to be sourced from another seller. As you’d expect, it takes a longer time when products are sourced from other sellers. And, not all products are Prime eligible.

Sadly, this doesn’t work for most Prime subscribers who have come to expect the 2-day shipping as the standard. They paid for it.

Now, orders that used to take 2 days now take 4 days or even six days!

 

Why is Amazon Prime shipping so slow?

As of 2020, Amazon began prioritizing essential orders over regular orders. So household staple items get moved to the front of the delivery line over non-essentials such as clothing, electronics, and home décor items.

The retail giant classified the following as essential orders:

  • Baby products
  • Health and household
  • Beauty and personal care
  • Grocery
  • Industrial and scientific
  • Pet supplies.

And, to make up for the unexpected spike, it’s been hiring thousands of people.

In fact, techhq.com wrote that “no American company has hired so many workers so quickly.” It reportedly hired 427,3000 people in 2020! A considerable chunk of those employed work as software engineers, hardware specialists, warehouse workers, and delivery drivers.

To put this in perspective, it’s important to recall that even before the pandemic, online shopping has been increasing dramatically.

I devoted a recent article of mine to this theme. In it, I showed, amongst other things, that online grocery shopping increased by 137% in 2020. In fact, most grocery retailers saw 8 year’s worth of online shopping orders just during the 12 months of 2020!

Just click the link to read it on my site.

What happens if Amazon doesn’t deliver by a guaranteed date?

Customers are eligible for a refund if Amazon fails to deliver on a guaranteed date, provided that certain requirements are met. However, the order is actually delivered within 24-48 hours of the original delivery day with no refund issued in most cases.

First off, what’s a guaranteed date? Once we get that, we’ll look at the requirements.

As the name implies, it’s a date the company assuring you that your orders will be delivered. In other words, on certain products (not all), Amazon offers guaranteed delivery dates (at times, there’s an associated fee). Both are clearly displayed on the checkout page and confirmed in the order email.

As shown on its website, the following conditions must be met:

  • The shipping method selected is the shipping option advertised on a product detail page.
  • Order is shipping to the eligible address.
  • Order is placed before the “order within” countdown listed on the checkout page. The “order within” countdown timer provides the window of time in which you must place your order to receive your delivery by the date shown. That delivery date may become unavailable within that window of time due to inventory or delivery capacity changes before you place your order. “Your confirmed delivery date is included in your order confirmation email. Contact us with any concerns.”
  • If your order contains items that aren’t eligible for guaranteed delivery, shipping preference “Ship my items as they become available” is selected.
  • Your credit or debit card must be successfully charged before the deadline displayed on the checkout page.
  • The guarantee does not apply if we miss our promised delivery date because of an unforeseen circumstance outside of our control, such as a strike, natural disaster, or severe winter storm. Also, delivery scans might be inaccurate.

How can I speed up Amazon Prime delivery?

Amazon Prime offers expedited delivery. But they do have a fee-based option to speed up shipping even beyond that.

Here’s how to see what the fastest options are for your orders:

  • Go to your orders and locate your order
  • Click change shipping speed
  • Click select another date and time
  • From the drop-down calendar, select a better date that works for you
  • Click confirm

That’s it.

The below table shows (from Amazon) standard shipping and expedited shipping charges.

Addresses in the contiguous US
Shipping speed
Amazon Prime member price
One-Day Shipping Free
Two-Day Shipping Free
Same-Day Delivery
Free on qualifying orders over $35 in certain cities or $2.99 per order. See Order with Prime FREE Same-Day Delivery.
Two-Hour Delivery Free in eligible zip codes through Prime Now.
Saturday Shipping
Price varies by item size and weight, as low as $7.99 per item.
Amazon Day Delivery Free
No-Rush Shipping Free
Standard Shipping (4–5 business days) Free
Release-Date Delivery (on qualifying items) Free

Addresses in Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico
Shipping speed
Amazon Prime member price
Standard Shipping (3–7 business days) Free
Expedited Shipping (2–5 business days)
Price varies by item size and weight, as low as $5.99 per item.
Priority Shipping (1–4 business days)
Price varies by item size and weight, as low as $11.99 per item.
Note: Expedited Shipping isn’t currently available for Puerto Rico.

Eligible items and addresses
Shipping speed Eligible items and addresses
FREE Two-Day Shipping
  • Items sold by Amazon.com and marked on the product page and at checkout as eligible for Prime.
  • Many items fulfilled by Amazon.
  • Items fulfilled by qualified sellers and marked on the product page and at checkout as eligible for Prime.
  • Nearly all addresses in the contiguous US, except US territories, possessions, and protectorates (other than Puerto Rico).
FREE Same-Day Delivery
  • Items sold by Amazon.com and marked on the product page and at checkout.
  • Many items fulfilled by Amazon.
  • Eligible for shipments to specified zip codes in several cities within the contiguous US. You can check your zip code. Commercial addresses aren’t eligible.
Amazon Day Delivery
  • Many items fulfilled by Amazon.
  • Nearly all addresses in the continental US, except US territories, possessions, and protectorates (other than Puerto Rico).
  • Amazon Day isn’t available for shipments that include Hazmat items or items not eligible for one-day or two-day Shipping.
  • Amazon Day isn’t available when shipping to an Amazon Hub Locker, Amazon Hub Counter, or a P.O. Box.
FREE Release-Date Delivery
  • Items sold by Amazon.com marked eligible for pre-order marked on the product page and at checkout.
  • Many items fulfilled by Amazon.
  • Items fulfilled by qualified sellers and marked on the product page and at checkout.
  • Release-Date Delivery isn’t available to Amazon Hub Lockers, Alaska, Hawaii, international destinations, P.O. boxes, or APO/FPO addresses.
FREE Two-Hour Delivery
  • Available in eligible zip codes through Prime Now.
FREE Standard Shipping
  • Items fulfilled by Amazon that are regulated as hazardous materials.
  • Items fulfilled by Amazon with special shipping characteristics, such as large treadmills, basketball hoops, televisions that are 48″ or larger, and heavy furniture.
  • Addresses in Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico (three to seven business days).
  • P.O. boxes in the contiguous US.
  • APO/FPO addresses with US ZIP codes.

Are Amazon’s estimated delivery dates accurate?

Amazon delivery estimates are accurate about 95% of the time. There are times when orders are even delivered before the estimated delivery dates. The least accurate delivery times will be for non-essential items which may have gotten bumped lower in the priority list.

The company has a lot of staff working on its tracking software and logistics, so its estimates are really good. In fact, before the pandemic, it’s rare for packages to be delivered late.

On a lighter note, they are estimates.

Estimates are often affected by factors that may not have been taken into consideration. Because of this reality, estimated delivery dates are not guaranteed.

The estimated delivery date is a tentative date the order is expected to get to the customer. It’s often displayed in your orders and notifications.

Great. But, is it true that Jeff Bezos owns Whole Foods?

Yes. Check out how “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” became a part of Bezos’ business empire in a recent article of mine. After all, I was part of Whole Foods’ history for decades just before its acquisition, so I know a secret or 2 about the company.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Final Thoughts

In the preceding paragraphs, we looked at the main reason Amazon’s 2-day shipping has left a lot to be desired.

It’s one of the reasons many opted for Prime.

We looked at what you can do if Amazon fails to deliver by a guaranteed date, how you can speed up your shipping, and the accuracy of its estimated delivery dates.

Why Do Some Grocery Chains Not Accept EBT?

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EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) is used by about 39 million Americans and provides much-needed assistance to lower-income people. While many stores accept them, not everyone does, so I wondered why do some grocery chains not accept EBT?

Grocery chains sometimes do not accept EBT if they are unable to meet the criteria set up by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). But they may also want to avoid having to apply for and implement the program or they may not want to have the appearance of catering to a lower-income clientele.

In this article, I’ll share why some stores don’t accept them, what you can buy with them, and other vital info about EBT. And I’ll give you a list of all the top grocers nationwide that do take EBT.

But before we dive in, I think it’s important to clarify some of the terms as things like food stamps, “government benefits” SNAP, and other terms often get thrown around interchangeably.

So the main terms are:

  • Food stamps – Another (older) term for The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) which provides money for groceries to lower-income families
  • SNAP benefits – The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) which provides money for groceries to lower-income families
  • EBT – A SNAP electronic payment system used by all SNAP beneficiaries. All other forms of food stamps were eliminated in 2004.
  • WIC – Similar, but different than SNAP. WIC stands for The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, providing food benefits to lower-income pregnant women, women who recently had a baby, breastfeeding women, and woman with infants and children up to age 5.

Let’s get started.

Are grocery stores required to accept food stamps?

Grocery stores are not required to accept food stamps though most chains do accept them. But beyond providing the service to customers, grocery stores also generate billions of dollars in profits by taking food stamps.

So, it’s more income for them (a CNBC article suggests that retailers could lose an average of $7 billion annually if there’s a reduction in SNAP benefits).

Later in this article, I’ll share a list of grocery stores that accept them.

The fact is that stores have to be approved before they can accept food stamps. They have to be authorized to participate in the program, which is monitored by the USDA.

Specifically, they have to meet one of these criteria:

  • Criteria A- Staple food inventory – A store must (minimally) have 3 units of 3 different varieties for each staple food category on a regular basis. In other words, have staple items on their shelf in a variety of categories all the time as most grocery stores do.
  • Criteria B – Staple food sales – A store must have over 50% of the total gross retail sales come from the sale of staple foods. In other words, an automotive parts store that adds a drink cooler can’t qualify to take government benefits.

What qualifies as staple foods?

They are basic foods that make up a considerable chunk of a person’s diet. They are prepared at home and eaten as a meal. Accessory foods, prepared foods, and heated foods are not regarded as a part of staple foods.

The following are staple food categories:

  • bread or cereals
  • meat, poultry, or fish
  • dairy products
  • vegetables or fruits

There must be at least one perishable variety to qualify under Criteria A.

Most grocery stores are authorized under Criterion A. Its requirements are three stocking units of 3 staple varieties in each of the four staple food categories and three stocking units of 1 perishable food variety in at least two staple food categories.

The criteria are not rigidly adhered to, as some stores may still be approved if they are located in an area where SNAP clients have significantly limited access to food.

Once approval has been granted, within 30 days, all paid and unpaid employees of the grocery store must be trained on how SNAP benefits work.

Stores that meet the criteria are issued a license, which has to be renewed every five years.

Do all supermarkets accept EBT?

Not all supermarkets accept EBT but most do. However, stores whose inventory changes frequently or stores that primarily sell household goods may not qualify to accept SNAP benefits.

As shown above, only those that have met the government’s requirements are eligible to accept EBT. 

It stands to reason that supermarkets whose products and sales do not meet the criteria cannot accept EBT. So, rest assured that the few that do not accept have probably not met the USDA requirements.

The grocery stores and supermarkets that accept EBT are making bank big time.

Naturally, most savvy stores want to have a piece of the cake. Consider that Walmart, alone, gets SNAP sales of about $13 billion each year!

What can’t be bought with EBT?

You can’t buy non-food grocery items because EBT is strictly for food. It’s not for other basic or essential items. So, you can’t use it for the following:

  • Shampoo
  • Lotion, powder, sunscreen, lip balm
  • Cleaning products
  • Haircare products
  • Deodorant
  • Tampon and pads
  • Diapers
  • Soap
  • Detergent
  • Toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss
  • Toilet paper
  • Pharmacy products
  • Energy drinks
  • Beer, wine, and liquor
  • Cigarettes and Tobacco
  • Prepared food
  • Pet food

SNAP’s focus is on helping low-income people get the food they need to be healthy. The following are the categories one must belong to be qualified (just one of the categories):

  • Working for low wages or working part-time;
  • Unemployed
  • Receiving welfare or other public assistance payments
  • Elderly or disabled and are low-income
  • Homeless

Why wouldn’t a grocery store accept food stamps?

A grocery store may not accept food stamps if they are unable to comply with the USDA criteria, or if they don’t want to deal with the possible issues arising from applying for and setting up the program and implementing the SNAP EBT system.

But as we’ve said, most normal grocery stores CAN qualify to accept food stamps.

So if they don’t, most likely the store doesn’t want to go through the “stress” of getting government approval and having government agents coming to inspect whether it’s complying with the criteria. 

It’s also possible that the store owners have an upper-scale clientele and don’t want to be associated with lower-income or bargain shoppers.

I know that’s a little harsh, but I’m certain there are some retailers out there who see it that way.

And it’s not just a 1-time application with the government.

They are issued a license, which has to be renewed every five years. So a grocery store won’t be able to accept food stamps if their license has lapsed, and they’ve yet to get a renewal.

What are examples of grocery stores that accept food stamps? 

The following are some of the best-known grocery stores that accept food stamps:

  • Acme Fresh Market
  • Albertsons
  • ALDI
  • Brookshire’s
  • Costco
  • Dollar General
  • Dollar Tree
  • Fred Meyer
  • The Fresh Market
  • Giant Food Stores
  • Grocery Outlet
  • Harris Teeter
  • H-E-B
  • H Mart
  • Ingles Markets
  • Jewel-Osco
  • Kroger
  • Meijer
  • Piggly Wiggly
  • Price Chopper
  • QFC
  • Raley’s
  • Ralphs
  • Randall’s
  • Safeway
  • Sam’s Club
  • Save A Lot
  • ShopRite
  • Sprouts Farmers Market
  • Target
  • Trader Joe’s
  • Vons
  • Walmart
  • Wegmans
  • Whole Foods
  • Winn-Dixie

Now that you know the stores that accept it, you might wonder whether grocery delivery platforms such as Instacart accept EBT.

This is what I explored in a recent article of mine. In the article, I looked at whether Instacart takes EBT, what food you can buy online with EBT, and if other grocery delivery services work with EBT.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Conclusion

In the preceding paragraphs, we looked at whether all grocery stores are required to accept EBT.

But we also looked at if all supermarkets accept them, why some stores won’t accept them, what items you can’t use them to buy, and we wrapped up with a list of stores that accept them. 

Most stores want to accept them, but they have to meet the criteria before they can.

In some cases, they may not be able to. Or, even when they’ve been approved when the license lapses, they have to wait until it’s renewed before they can continue to accept EBT.

Photo which requires attribution:

20151117-FNS-LSC-0605 (EBT card) by the U.S. Department of Agriculture is licensed under Public domain

Can You Haggle at a Farmers Market?

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Farmers Markets often have the freshest food you can get, literally fresh from the farm. And it’s great to support local growers too. But since the atmosphere is very different from a traditional grocery store, I’ve wondered can you haggle at a farmers market?

You can haggle at a farmers market, as haggling is not against any rules, but not every farmer will be willing to lower prices. However, the best time to negotiate is towards the end of the day, as most farmers would rather sell it than pack it back up.

But of course, there will be some exceptions.

And, as I implied, supply and demand also factor in heavily. Most farmers simply don’t want to haul a bunch of stuff home at the end of the market hours. After all, every time a piece of produce gets touched, it increases the possibility of becoming bruised and unsellable.

So in this article, we’ll explore the right way and the wrong way to haggle, so you can get the best prices. Let’s dive right in!

Is there a specific farmers market etiquette?

There isn’t a specific farmers market etiquette, but there are some common expectations such as only handling items you intend to purchase, asking for samples rather than taking one and reading signs before asking questions that may get asked hundreds of times.

The first tip I’ll offer is that you’ll have to relax when you are there. The culture is different. It’s unlike dashing in and out of a grocery store. Relax and interact with the farmers.

You might be wondering what the primary purpose of these markets is?

After all, there are world-class grocery stores all over the city. That’s precisely what I explored in a recent article of mine. It’s the ultimate guide.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Here are additional tips:

  • Make sure you get to the market early. This tip might seem super-obvious, but it’s helpful. The market is not likely to be crowded at this time. So, it’ll be easy to navigate. And, the produce will still be in their freshest state.
  • Read the signs. Farmers are open to talking about their products and prices, and even about your personal projects. But most have signs which indicate vital info about their products, which they won’t really want to keep repeating over and over again.
  • Be considerate. Respect the queues and have your change ready. Yes, try to bring relatively small notes. Vendors easily run out of change. These markets are not staffed like your mammoth grocery store. So, try and also keep the small talk short. If there are a lot of questions you would like to ask a farmer, it’s better to wait until you notice a lull.
  • Be careful about touching the items. Except if it’s absolutely necessary, avoid touching or picking up the items. This is more important considering the times we are in, seeing as we have to be careful of viral infection.

Do vendors frown on negotiation at the farmers market?

Most vendors don’t frown upon negotiation at a farmers market, but because the vendors are often the grower or owner themselves, they will take lowball offers more personally. So when haggling, always be respectful and only make reasonable offers.

Why? A lot of farmers are highly hardworking folks who put in a lot to plant, nurture, harvest, and transport high-quality produce from their farms to the city.

They are not really making a lot of money at the end of the day.

Like all of us, they have bills to pay and would have calculated what they deem is a reasonable margin for their effort. If you’re buying in bulk, it makes sense to negotiate for a lower price, but if you’re just buying a few items, asking for a reduction on these might seem unreasonable.

But there’s really no harm in politely testing the waters.

Some farmers or markets might be more open to the idea than others. The key issue is being sensitive enough to discern if the vendor won’t feel insulted by your offer.

How much do vendors usually go down on prices at a farmers market?

When haggling at a farmers market, expect vendors to discount between 5%-10% off. Discounts above that are rare as most vendors’ profit margins are low to begin with. However, vendors with large amounts of remaining product at the end of the day may discount further.

Farming is highly challenging, so it’s not as if farmers are making money hand over fist. But, if you follow common-sense practices, you could get them to give you discounts. 

The key is to buy when the produce is in season.

At that time, there will be a lot in the market, so there’s a healthy competition. And, do walk around, don’t buy at the first stall. You might get products cheaper if you walk around and compare prices.

In other words, if you’re buying watermelon in December, many vendors won’t have it since it’s out of season. The ones that do will be less likely to negotiate because they know you don’t have many options.

However, if you’re buying tomatoes in early summer, and every other vendor has great-looking tomatoes, expect that competition to drive prices down.

Another thing is that you could buy in bulk and share with some friends.

Most farmers would be inclined to give you discounts when they know you’re saving them time. They won’t have to spend as much time waiting for buyers if many people are buying a lot at a time.

You could also opt for some “ugly” produce.

Bruised produce may not be attractive, but it’s the same quality and taste. If you know how to negotiate in a considerate manner, you could get about 10% off the price.

What should you not buy at a farmers market if you want to save money?

Avoid buying clothing, maple syrup, meat, or seafood at most farmers’ markets as they are less apt to be competitive on price. Also, some organically-grown produce, such as corn, pineapple, cabbage, and onions, isn’t always worth the extra cost as pesticide use tends to be very low.

Firstly, the key is to be a bit “scientific about it.

How? By comparing the quality and prices of what you could get at your local grocery store with what’s available at the farmers market. It’s also better to focus on items that you buy a lot and those that are expensive. After all, you don’t want to spend hours that you could spend having a good time just to save a few dimes.

Secondly, don’t buy the first things you see when you get to the market. Walk around. It’s quite possible you’ll get them at a cheaper rate, at other stalls.

Thirdly, you don’t really need to always buy organic produce as I mentioned above. Really? Yes. Here are the produce items that typically contain the least amount of trace pesticides.

If money is no object, sure, buy all organic. But if you’re on a budget, skip the following organically-grown items:

  • Sweet Corn
  • Avocado
  • Pineapple
  • Cabbage
  • Onions
  • Frozen sweet peas
  • Papaya
  • Asparagus
  • Honeydew melon
  • Mango
  • Eggplant
  • Cantaloupe
  • Cauliflower
  • Kiwi
  • Grapefruit 

Some of these fruits and vegetables might contain negligible traces of pesticides.

But, the quantities are not harmful at all. Most of the fruits have thick, protecting covering, so only an insignificant portion (if any at all) of pesticides seep in. And, there are even cases, such as Onions and Asparagus, where pesticides are not used at all.

Both have substances that naturally ward off pests.

Frozen vegetables are blanched before being refrigerated. This process helps reduce the number of pesticides to a negligible and healthy level.

If you’re buying veggies that are not frozen, you could remove the outer layer before washing and preparing them.

Curious about the difference between the cost of organic relative to inorganic products?

I explored it in a recent article of mine. I looked at the actual costs of dozens of items to see where the cost difference was huge, and in some cases, where organic was actually cheaper.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Do farmers lower their prices at farmers’ markets shortly before closing time?

Yes, most farmers’ market vendors lower their prices shortly before closing time, especially fruits, vegetables, and anything perishable. Most farmers would prefer to sell it for something above their cost, rather than pack it up and bring it home.

The farmer’s aim is to sell as much as possible before they close. In fact, to sell everything if it’s possible.

They won’t like the idea of hauling the produce back to the farm. So, as the day draws close to the end, they’ll most likely be more open to the idea of selling at a lower price.

If you’re interested in saving money, you could check the market out later in the day. And, it stands to reason that most farmers would be more open to the idea of a discount if you’re buying in bulk.

As I hinted at earlier, it’s not that these farmers are exactly making out like bandits. You might decide to support your local farmers market and buy at the rates offered in the morning.

Conclusion

In the paragraphs above, I shared a ton of helpful tips, such as what’s expected when you’re at the market, and if it’s okay to haggle.

But we also explored the kind of discount to expect, and even what not to buy if you’d like to save money. I also shared links to two in-depth- guides that’ll provide you with more details.

How Do Supermarkets Store Fruit?

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How grocery stores keep fruits fresh is a mystery to a lot of people.  After all, stores order large quantities of things that might go bad quickly for us at home. So how do supermarkets store fruit?

Supermarkets store most fruits in large refrigerated coolers in the back room. The fruit is pulled from the sales floor each night, and placed in the cooler to extend shelf life. Then it’s restocked, & rotated the next morning. Some fruits & vegetables do not require refrigeration and are left on display overnight.

However, there could be a few more burning questions on your mind, like:

  • Why the bananas always look fresh at the grocery stores (and why do plantains always look almost spoiled?)
  • Is cold storage is necessary for most fruits?
  • How is the cut fruit stored?
  • Which grocery stores have the freshest produce?

No worries!

Having worked as a general manager at Whole Foods Market for twenty years, you could say that I know a thing or two about this domain. And so I’ll answer all your questions.

You’ll find some really surprising stuff in this short article.

How old are fruits in grocery stores?

A lot of them are quite old.

Truth be told, most fruits are not as fresh as you think. By fresh, we mean: just been harvested. The reality is that they are often harvested in large quantities and then preserved over time, and are gradually offered in the stores and supermarkets.

In some cases, they’re chemically treated to keep them looking fresh.

Apples typically get waxed to enhance the appearance and slow deterioration. Some of the fruits are preserved for up to 6 or 12 months. The time needed for the preservation process varies from fruit to fruit. It could be days, weeks, or months, as well.

Sometimes apples even get coated in a soy-protein mixed with pullulan (a polysaccharide polymer) (source). That sounds a little yucky to me. But luckily you shouldn’t find that with organically-grown apples.

Ultimately things like that reduce spoilage and increase profits.

Fresh fruits, as you know, start to decay or rot after some time if they’re not preserved. It’s simply the most practical thing to do, to ensure year-round availability. In fact, even before modern refrigeration technology, folks had evolved different strategies for preserving food.

After all, as you know, most fruits are seasonal.

And yet, we’ve become accustomed to buying most fruits and vegetables all year, even out of season. As the demand for things like watermelon in winter has increased, supermarkets have found ways to provide their customers with what they want.

There’s a disconnect.

This is the reason for ensuring that they are bought and stored in large quantities. They are refrigerated to slow down the process of ripening. You know what’ll happen if all the fruits were to ripen naturally. It’ll lead to massive decay and waste!

The above triggers two questions that I’ll address.

  1. Are fresh fruits bought in supermarkets truly healthy and safe to consume?
  2. How does the preservation process affect nutrients?

Yes, they’re indeed safe to consume, and experts say that the loss in nutritional value is not significant. So, you need not worry.

I know what you might be thinking, but what happens to fruits and other items that remain unsold after some time?

This is what I explored in-depth in a recent article of mine. How stores deal with unsold items is something many smart folks find interesting. Just click the link to read it on my site.

Do you like bananas? Great. That’s what’s next.

How do supermarkets keep bananas fresh?

I must provide some context before answering the question.

One fact that a lot of people are probably unaware of is that bananas, despite how inviting and fresh they look, are actually from far-away lands. (I’m not being dramatic. It’s the truth.)

They do not grow in most areas of the United States.

The obvious implication is that what we produce is not enough to meet the demand. I’ll tell you where most are imported from and how they are kept fresh, once they get here.

Costa Rica, Columbia, Honduras, Ecuador, and Guatemala are the leading exporters of bananas to the US.

In fact, in a particular year, these nations together supplied 94% of the bananas we consumed! (And, for what it’s worth, last year, we consumed the highest number of bananas in the world).

After they’re harvested, and before they’re sent over here, they’re washed and stored in boxes.

The boxes are then sent in ships or trucks equipped with refrigerators. Both processes: washing and refrigeration, help ensure that they don’t become ripe in transit.

However, when they’re near the destination, where they’ll eventually be sold, they are forced to ripen. How? There’s a gas called ethylene that’s used for the process.

During this process, they’re stored in sealed rooms.

After some time, the gas is removed, while the room is heated. The heat ripens them. They’re then delivered to the supermarkets and grocery stores where they’ll be sold. At the risk of repeating the obvious: the bananas are forced to ripen. The ripening process is not natural.

Now you know how bananas are kept looking fresh. Does this process apply to all kinds of fruits? We’ll see in the next paragraph.

Is all fruit at the grocery store kept in cold storage?

No, not all the fruits are kept in cold storage.

Some fruits won’t ripen if they’re refrigerated. Refrigeration, as you know, is a highly-developed technology. So over time, we’ve learned what can be kept in cold storage, for how long, and also those fruits that should not be kept there.

But sometimes refrigeration is used to slow down ripening if a store bought too many avocados for Cinco de Mayo, for example. Before the avocados start to get mushy, they might put them in a cooler to slow that process down.

And, there are fruits such as lemons, lime, oranges, plums, clementine…citrus fruits, in general, that are kept on the sales floor displays.

Berries, apples, avocados, and pears do not need to be refrigerated.

But they can be. Some fruits that shouldn’t be refrigerated would still ripen when you refrigerate them, but they may become softer, and the flavor may not be as great as it should be.

It’s interesting also to know why you never see fruit flies at the store, right?

Even though some fruits are not kept in cold storage, they are free of fruit flies. In a recent article of mine, I explained in detail what attracts them and the steps supermarkets and grocery stores take to prevent them. It’s interesting and instructive.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

How do supermarkets keep cut fruit fresh?

Most are refrigerated.

But let’s put this in context first. Cut fruit is usually made from fruit culled from the display tables that were bruised or overripe. In other words, turning it into cut fruit (and raising the price per pound) is mainly a way to slow down the amount of fruit that gets thrown away.

So most cut fruit is already a little past it’s prime.

Refrigeration ensures that the natural process of ripening and then rotting is slowed down so that what would have taken days now stretches over weeks or months. As you know, different fruits ripen at different rates.  Some do not need to be refrigerated.

But most cut fruit is kept in upright refrigerated display cases on the sales floor. Since it’s already refrigerated, they don’t do anything other than daily checks for out of date products, or signs of mold.

However, it’s worth noting that some cut fruit, such as apples, are treated with edible coatings and anti-browning agents. These are essentially chemicals the FDA has deemed acceptable to eat (citric acid is often involved), that enhance the appearance of freshness. (source)

Now, you know how fruits are kept fresh.

But where can you get the freshest produce? That’s what I explore next. Before you read on. You’ve probably experienced that small frustration that comes with opening plastic grocery bags, right. In this recent article of mine, I offered highly effective tricks that’ll make it a breeze.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Which grocery store has the freshest produce?

In the paragraphs above, I’ve shared with you how fruits are kept fresh.

If you often shop in different stores, and you have a keen eye, you must have noticed that some stores do have better-looking produce than others.

Interestingly, there are consulting companies that track such details. I’ll let you know which stores are the top contenders, those that consumers rate low, and of course, the numero uno.

Here are a few of the top companies:

  • Wegman’s
  • Gelson’s
  • Heinen’s
  • New Season’s Market
  • Lunds and Byerlys
  • Fresh Thyme Farmers Market
  • Whole Foods Market

Places like Walmart and Target, consumers say, are not the best places to shop for fresh produce. But, of course, fruits and vegetables also aren’t what those stores focus on.

And, Central Market is rated the best. But unless you’re in Texas where I am, you probably don’t know them. Central Market is basically the gourmet wing of the huge Texas grocery chain HEB.

Now, you know the best places to go for the freshest produce. But, to be honest, some stores can be a tad difficult to navigate.

This is why in a recent article of mine, I wrote what’s effectively a detailed guide on how grocery stores are laid out. You’ll find it highly informative, especially the parts about how the layouts are designed to influence your purchases and maximize profits.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Final Thoughts

That’s it, folks.

In the preceding paragraphs, we looked out how fruits are kept fresh? How Bananas are kept in stores, whether the preservation methods are harmful, the best stores to shop for produce.

You know that fresh fruits are indispensable for a healthier life. And that they’re alluring and sweet to boot. So the grocery stores ensure that their customers get the freshest of produce, all the time, through efficient storage.

Why Do Grocery Stores Ask for Donations? (tax breaks?)

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It seems to happen at every grocery store. A cashier asks you to donate a dollar or two when you’re just trying to pay for your groceries. So why do grocery stores ask for donations?

Grocery stores often partner with non-profit organizations that are aligned with the values of their target customer and the company itself. They may receive tax benefits too. But they also get the PR benefits that come from publicly giving back to the community.

But that’s just the beginning!

In this article, we’re taking a look at grocery stores and their requests for charitable donations.

We’ll look at why they do it and what to do and say if you’re tired of asking. But we’ll even get into what the best and worst regarded charities are out there.

That way you can at least put your money in the right places and where they align with your values.

What charity did you just donate to? Are they even reputable? Why do they ask you on the spot like that for donations! It’s so frustrating!

I have some tips to help you handle what to do in this situation.

Just keep reading.

Are you sick of being asked to donate at the grocery store?

I get it.

It is super frustrating being asked to donate to charity when you’re just trying to purchase your groceries. And especially if you shop 1 or more times a week, it can get annoyingly repetitive.

You just spent an hour comparing prices on products and checking off things on your list. And even put back items that you either couldn’t afford or just thought were too expensive.

After all, you have a budget to stick to. Even if the store is trying to get me to buy 10 cans of tuna by putting them on sale.

In fact, you should read more about how stores entice you to spend more money, by reading this recent article on my blog. There’s a whole science behind how items are chosen to go on sale and how, despite getting discounts, you WILL spend more when you shop the sales flyers.

Just click that link to read that article on my site.

But I digress…

Now you’ve been asked to donate money to help feed the children. There is a line of people behind you, waiting to checkout. You have no time to really think about the charity. You’ve been put on the spot and you don’t like it.

The thing is, people love doing business with companies that give back.

They are more likely to support socially responsible businesses. (source) One easy way for grocery stores to give back is to partner with a charity and collect money for them at the register.

Just like with the placement of candy, magazines and other impulse buys, they ask at the register so you say yes without much time to change your mind.

I go into more detail about the psychology behind how your grocery store is laid out in this recent article. Just click that link to read it on my site.

What to say when you don’t want to donate?

Love it or hate it, asking for money at the checkout is very effective at collecting donations. As a result, charities are going to keep doing it.

It is perfectly acceptable to give a polite, “No, thank you” when you don’t feel comfortable donating.

Also, think about it from the cashier’s standpoint.

You’re possibly one of the dozens of people they will ask in a single day. It gets old for them too, so they certainly aren’t going to pressure you to donate or give you a hard time if you say no.

Donations can be very personal decisions.

People who donate to St. Jude’s do so because they love children or have battled with cancer themselves. People who donate to the ASPCA do so because they love animals.

People who donate regularly have typically researched the charities as well. And considering there are so many scams out there, it’s perfectly reasonable to do so.

How much of that dollar will actually get to the recipient of the donation? How does it help? Is this even a real charity? There is simply not enough time to thoroughly investigate when you’ve been put on the spot.

It’s OK to say no at the register. The cashier will not judge you. Lightning will not strike you down. You are not a bad person.

Are grocery store donations tax-deductible?

You can deduct charitable donations, but the donation has to be to a recognized 501(c)3 charity, like the American Red Cross. And in case you get audited, you’ll need some sort of receipt or confirmation of the donation.

Without that receipt, chances are you won’t even remember to deduct it, and if you get audited, you’ll have no way to prove to the IRS that you even donated.

Hint: that’s bad for you!

But, if the donation is to send your local high school marching band to band camp, it is not tax-deductible.

You also need to make sure you didn’t get anything in return for the donation. If you bought a raffle ticket or got discounted tickets to an event, it likely won’t be tax-deductible.

Unless you regularly itemize your taxes and spend a lot of money on donations, it’s probably not really worth claiming grocery store donations.

Also bear in mind that under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the amount you have to list on your itemized deductions just got a lot higher to get a tax deduction on charitable donations.

Under that ACT, which went into effect in 2017, individuals need total itemized deductions to be above$12,000. Previously it was $6,350. Married couples need deductions to exceed a whopping $24,000. That is up from $12,700.

So it has gotten harder to write off charitable contributions, but it can still be done.

Not sure if who you donated to is a 501(c)3 charity? The IRS has a free tool where you can do a search and check. 

Do grocery stores get a tax deduction for donations?

Maybe, is the short answer.

The PATH Act (Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes) took effect in 2015. Under it, all businesses became eligible for an “enhanced tax deduction for donations”. They just have to meet certain criteria.

Ultimately, though, the IRS gives the tax deduction to whoever has the receipt.

So if you donate at the register and that’s printed on your receipt, unless the store is doing some sort of matching, they likely can’t claim any deduction.

But if you just plop a dollar bill in a container, while it’s possible they just give that container to the charity, they might also tally all the donations up and take a deduction.

Even if they are just donating food, they can still claim a more general tax deduction for the amount they paid for the food. The law was originally designed to be an incentive for grocery stores to donate more of the food they were throwing away.

Beyond asking you for donations, many grocery stores also donate unsold food to local food banks and other organizations. But sadly, there is still a TON of food that gets thrown away every day from grocery stores.

Head over to this article where I talk about what grocery stores do with unsold food and look at the sad truth about many chains. Just click that link to read it on my site.

What are the worst charities to donate to?

People like donating to charities because it makes them feel good to do so.

As a result, charities are booming. Unfortunately, not all charities treat our money they way we would expect them to. Oftentimes, this means money is going to CEO bank accounts, being mishandled or misappropriated in some other way.

According to Consumer Reports, good charities spend at least 65% of their expenses on their charitable programs, and no more than 35% on fundraising or administrative costs (ie: big salaries for those in charge), among other things.

Here are just a few of the worst charities to donate to, according to Consumer Reports, that you may see at the register:

  • Cancer Fund of America is supposed to support families of cancer victims and to fund cancer research. However, only 2.5% of its donations actually go to this cause.
  • Children’s Wish Foundation. At first, I was surprised to see this one on the list, but as I looked closer, I realized I was thinking of the much more reputable Make-a-Wish Foundation. Charity Navigator gives them a 1-star rating out of a possible 4 as they spend 49% of their earnings to raise money.
  • Disabled Veterans National Foundation spends 4% of its expenses on its programs. They spend $82 to raise $100. This means they are spending an awful lot of money on advertising and raising funds, but not actually doing much when it comes to providing the services they advertise. (source)

What are the most reputable charities?

Not all charities are trying to line the pockets of their CEOs, though.

  • Breast Cancer Research Foundation donates an average of $91 for every $100 they raise. They spend 88% of their budget on their mission to prevent and cure breast cancer.
  • Children’s Health Fund donates an average of $89 in advertising and fundraising for every $100 they raise. They spend 79% of their budget to ensure high-quality health care to underserved children.
  • Gary Sinise Foundation donates an average of $96 on fundraising and spends 89% of its budget on its mission to provide support to veterans, first responders, and their families.

To learn more about the best and worst charities to donate to, take a look at Consumer Reports, Charity Navigator or Charity Watch.

While Whole Foods may ask for donations at the register occasionally, you can rest assured that they fully vet the community-based non-profit organizations they work with.

Those partners have to meet certain eligibility guidelines and be a registered 501(c)3 organization in the US.

Final Thoughts

In this article, we took a look at why grocery stores ask for donations.

We discussed the reasoning behind asking at the register and how to say no if you don’t want to donate. We also looked into whether grocery store donations are tax-deductible. And we went over some of the best and worst charities to donate to.

Ultimately, we answered the question of why grocery stores ask for donations at the register.

People usually want to feel good about making donations. Being asked to donate on the spot may not feel good. But now you have to tools to decide in advance. If you’re still uncomfortable donating at the register, just say no.

What Happens to Unsold Food in Supermarkets?

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Having worked in grocery stores for more than 20 years, I know the answer, but many shoppers wonder what happens to unsold food in supermarkets??

Every year, more than 43 billion pounds of food from grocery stores gets thrown away. Much of the food is still technically edible, but most large grocery chains severely limit what food gets donated once it’s no longer able to sell it. The reason is out of fear of litigation due to poor or vague laws and regulations.

But there’s a lot more to say about grocery stores and how much expired or damaged food gets thrown away.

So in this article, we’ll get into what the laws say and how much food actually gets donated, tossed or composted. But we’ll also answer whether or not food banks and shelters will even take expired or damaged food items.

Let’s dive in!

How much do grocery stores throw away?

Grocery stores throw out 43 billion pounds of food each year. This includes wilted, moldy produce, spoiled meat & seafood, dented and damaged canned and boxed goods, as well as baked goods that are stale or moldy.

(source)

Beyond that, the Center for Biological Diversity recently conducted a survey where they looked at specific grocery chains and how well they fared in terms of food donation.

They looked at the following criteria:

  • Committing to move towards zero waste
  • Tracking of expired foods and their donations
  • Systems in place to prevent or limit food waste

Then after examining each grocery by those standards, they came up with a report card grade. Check out that here:

Do supermarkets throw away food?

Yes; grocery stores throw-away billions of pounds of food each and every year. While some of it could be given to food banks, food safety laws actually prevent much of it from being donated.

In the 20+ years I worked for Whole Foods Market, many spent in middle or upper management positions, I can tell you that the majority of expired food and damaged packaged goods do indeed get thrown away.

Now, I don’t say that to make anyone mad or make it seem like the grocery industry is hiding a secret.

And I also don’t want you to think that all grocery stores are the same and that nothing gets donated. There’s actually quite a bit of food that gets donated.

But there’s a lot that just ends up in the landfill.

A recent report by Harvard Law School looked at the laws on the books in all 50 states as far as food safety regulations regarding food donation.

Their report concluded that:

  • “Guidance regarding food safety for food donations vary widely from state to state”
  • “Many states have no regulations or guidance”
  • 12 states have laws or regulations pertaining to food safety for food donations
  • 14 states have issued public “statements” regarding food safety and donations

In short, in terms of legislators encouraging, supporting, and protecting retailers in donating more of what’s currently being thrown away, we have a long way to go.

Can grocery stores give away expired food?

The short answer, especially if you mean legally, is yes. Grocery stores can legally donate food that is past its expiration date according to the USDA.

To be specific, they say:

“Yes. The quality of perishable products may deteriorate after the date passes but the products should still be wholesome if not exhibiting signs of spoilage. Food banks, other charitable organizations, and consumers should evaluate the quality of the product prior to its distribution and consumption to determine whether there are noticeable changes in wholesomeness”

That being said, in our litigious society, many large corporations are hesitant to donate some items that could be deemed questionable in terms of food safety out of fear of getting sued.

So while it’s sad in a way that some grocery stores don’t donate all they could out simply due to fear of being sued by a food bank or charity,

That being said, there is some legal protection for those who donate under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act. That act was put into law to encourage the donation of “food and grocery products to nonprofit organizations for distribution to needy individuals”.

The problem with the law, and why it didn’t cause as much donated food as they hoped is that it also states “This immunity does not apply to an injury to or death of an ultimate user or recipient of the food or grocery product that results from an act or omission of the donor constituting gross negligence or intentional misconduct.”

Since a large national grocery chain can’t control the process in each of their hundreds of stores, many would rather simply avoid any possible claims of negligence or misconduct.

After all, they are risking millions of dollars and putting that risk in the hands of employees likely making between $10-$15 per hour. Many companies simply would rather risk criticism over their policy than spend millions on lawsuits.

Will grocery stores donate food?

Yes, is the short answer.

At all of the 10 different Whole Foods stores I worked at over the years which ranged from east to west coasts, we donated the following:

  • Day-old bread and pastries
  • Dented cans and boxes
  • Damaged (but not moldy) produce items

We did not, however, donate deli foods from the hot or cold salad bars, much of which got tossed on a nightly basis. Also, it’s worth noting that many Whole Foods stores (and probably others too) do a good job of repurposing food that is still good (and not expired) but isn’t up to display standards.

By that I mean, bruised apples might be transferred from the Produce department to the Juice Bar. Or a bag of rolled oats with a torn label might be cut open and put into the bulk bins.

We also know from the above report card, that the most donation-conscientious retail grocery chains (of the ones surveyed) are:

  • Kroger
  • Wal-Mart
  • Whole Foods
  • Target
  • Aldi

And the flip side, we see that the worst-performing grocery chains (again of the ones surveyed) include:

  • Trader Joes
  • Costco
  • Publix

The real irony here is that Trader Joes and Aldi are owned by the same family (different parts of that family though).

Of course, there are countless other grocery chains and local stores that likely weren’t part of that survey. So when in doubt, ask your local grocery what their food donation policies and programs include.

Do homeless shelters or food banks take expired food?

Of course, every shelter or food bank across the globe may have different policies.

That being said, many only take shelf-stable non-refrigerated canned, boxed, or bottled items as a safeguard against food-borne illness.

Feeding America is a nationwide network of over 200 food banks. Chances are the one in your town is affiliated with them. But even their site says to check with your local branch to see if they will take donations of perishable (fresh, refrigerated, or frozen items).

And surprise, surprise, all the local branches I checked either didn’t take those things or were vague about it.

Do homeless shelters or food banks take expired food?

Yes. Most homeless shelters and food banks will accept expired food products. But most prefer to only take non-perishable items packaged in cans, boxes, or bottles.

Of course, every shelter or food bank across the globe may have different policies.

That being said, many only take shelf-stable non-refrigerated canned, boxed, or bottled items as a safeguard against food-borne illness.

Feeding America is a nationwide network of over 200 food banks. Chances are the one in your town is affiliated with them. But even their site says to check with your local branch to see if they will take donations of perishable (fresh, refrigerated, or frozen items).

And surprise, surprise, all the local branches I checked either didn’t take those things or were vague about it.

Why do grocery stores order more food than they can sell?

Grocery stores do not over-order with the intent of throwing away products. With profit margins as low as 2%, they can’t afford to do that. Instead, they try and balance having their shelves full and abundant while meeting and not exceeding set shrink targets that are often about 3% of the total.

But the reason here might surprise you unless you work retail.

In short, displays of food items sell much better when they look full. Now sometimes good merchandisers use dummy risers and other things to give the appearance of fullness without over-committing to too much product.

But ultimately, if stores only had on display what they would actually sell, their sales would go down as many stores would look like a coastal store after a hurricane warning was announced. In other words, the shelves and displays might look kind of barren and empty.

Psychologically we, as consumers, tend to respond poorly to that.

Think back to when you were at a store and saw that they were almost sold out of an item and you mostly saw a big empty shelf.  Did you buy that last one?  If you’re like most people, unless you were desperate for that 1 thing specifically, you probably didn’t.

So grocery stores, within reason, order to make the store look full and abundant.

Then they balance that with not tying up too much cash in inventory that might sit there for months or spoil. There’s a fine art to merchandising a grocery store.

So if you want to learn even more about the mentality of grocers, and why they are constantly moving the aisles around, check out a recent article where I break it all down.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Final Thoughts

In this article, we took an in-depth look into the world of grocery stores and what they do with out of date or damaged food items.

We explored the truth about how much gets thrown away compared to donations or composting.

Ultimately, we answered the question of how much do grocery stores throw away. Running a successful grocery store requires wearing a lot of hats. After all, you are balancing customer service, merchandising, employee relations, and trying to stay profitable so you can pay everyone.

Learn more about grocery store profit margins, including why some grocery stores only earn 2% while others make 10% or more, in a recent article, where I explain it all.

Just click that link to read it on my site.