Costco is getting backlash again in 2024 for its not-so-good fresh fruits and vegetables. Customers are mad that they spoil fast and are not consistent. People have been complaining about this for a long time and now social media is full of more complaints.
The renewed complaints began with a Reddit post from a shopper noting a visible decline in Costco’s produce quality. “Is there a reason for this, or is it just bad luck? Lots of moldy, soft stuff, and the prices aren’t all that great either,” they wrote. This observation sparked over 450 comments from fellow members sharing their frustrations, with many agreeing that the produce quality has been “meh” for a while.
Customer Complaints: Mold and Spoilage
Many Costco customers said their fruits and veggies went bad faster than they thought. One person said they bought strawberries and raspberries that went bad in less than 2 days. Another person joked about moldy grapes being sold for $5.99 last week
Customers are worried about paying for fruits and vegetables that spoil fast or have mold on them when they buy them. Many customers feel that fresh items are too expensive for how quickly they go bad, especially when compared to other grocery stores.
Mixed Experiences: Some Defend Costco’s Produce
Even though some people are upset, not all Costco members have had bad fruits and vegetables. Several shoppers chimed in to defend Costco’s produce section.
One customer stated, “I have had a great experience with Costco produce pretty much across the board. I get good quality fruits/vegetables that last forever in my fridge.” These positive experiences, however, appear to be less frequent as the number of complaints continues to grow.
The ‘No Produce’ Rule
With frequent issues of spoilage and inconsistent quality, some customers have resorted to avoiding Costco’s produce section entirely. “We have a ‘no produce’ rule from them.
We’re lucky if it lasts five days after we get it home,” one Redditor commented. Many loyal customers are getting frustrated and going to other stores for their fresh food needs, which is making Costco less popular as a place to shop for everything.
Wider Criticism of Costco’s Food Items
The frustrations with Costco’s fresh produce come on the heels of criticism over other food products, like the retailer’s new butter chicken meal kit. Customers thought the $5.99 per pound meal was just okay and too costly for what you get. People are starting to speak up more about how Costco’s fresh food is expensive but not great quality.
Can Costco Improve Its Fresh Food Game?
People are saying that Costco’s fruits and vegetables may not be as good as before. While Costco is good for buying a lot of items at a low price, some people are concerned about the quality of their fresh food. Costco may need to reconsider how they source and store their produce to regain customer trust.
Costco needs to have fresh and good quality items to stay ahead in the grocery market. Customers expect fresh fruits and vegetables when they shop there. If the quality of these items is not good, even Costco’s good deals may not be enough to keep customers coming back.
Conclusion:
Costco is having trouble with its fruits and vegetables because many customers are not happy with the quality. Some people are saying that the produce is moldy, soft, and spoils quickly. While some customers think the produce is okay, most people believe that Costco needs to improve. If Costco doesn’t solve these issues, they could lose customers looking for high-quality produce.