Inside Trader Joe's
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Trader Joe's
From our humble beginnings as a small chain of eclectic Southern California convenience stores, Trader Joe’s has grown to become a national chain of 552 (and counting) neighborhood grocery stores, employing more than 65,000 Crew Members. How? By being comfortable with being different. Every episode takes you Inside Trader Joe’s in a podcast series only Trader Joe's could deliver.
Are you a Trader Joe’s fan? Want to know what keeps people coming back? Hungry for all the new and exciting stuff coming to your neighborhood store? Let's go Inside Trader Joe’s. Thanks for listening.
Episode 80: What Makes a Neighborhood Trader Joe's?
We all know that every neighborhood is unique. And because Trader Joe’s is a national chain of neighborhood grocery stores, every Trader Joe’s is as unique as the neighborhood of which it is a part. In this episode of Inside Trader Joe’s, we’re taking you inside two distinctive neighborhood Trader Joe’s stores, that just so happen to be in the same neighborhood. (Right? It’s amazing what a few blocks can do!) Starting with our original Back Bay store in Boston – the smallest Trader Joe’s in the known universe – and traveling almost five blocks away to Boston’s newest TJ’s (also in the Back Bay), it’s plain to see that every store is a reflection of its surroundings – the customers, the Crew, and the physical space it inhabits. And a super-exciting bonus – we’re learning about stand pipes and rack rooms! Yes! Transcript (PDF)
20:1704/11/2024
ICYMI: How Do I Get a Trader Joe's in My Neighborhood
We get a lot of questions at Trader Joe’s. One of those we hear the most is, “Hey, when are you opening a store in my neighborhood?” And “How do you decide where to put a Trader Joe’s?” – that comes up a lot, too. As you can imagine, like Trader Joe’s stores themselves, choosing store locations isnot a one-size-fits-all approach. Truth is, we’d like to be in thousands of neighborhoods all across the country – and it’s going to take some time. Tune in to the latest in our series of bite-sized episodes, ITJ ICYMI, to get the scoop. Transcript (PDF)
06:4821/10/2024
Episode 79: What's In Your Trader Joe's Shopping Cart
In this episode of Inside Trader Joe’s, we’re taking you inside our customers’ shopping carts to find out what keeps them coming back to Trader Joe’s again and again. For this inaugural iteration of our Customer Cart Conversations, we go to Trader Joe’s number 122 in Studio City, California, where our store Captain Jay Jay gets up close and personal with the contents of customers’ carts, with questions about favorites. Along the way, we get some insights into how Trader Joe’s brings a little joy and deliciousness into their busy lives. We’ll get answer to pressing questions like: Savory or sweet? Snack or dessert? And even, Regular Fries or Sweet Potato Fries? What’s in YOUR cart? Transcript (PDF)
18:4507/10/2024
Episode 78: Fall Into the Season with a Shopping List from Trader Joe's
It’s September at Trader Joe’s. That, of course, means the Pumpkin-palooza is underway. You’ll find more than 70 pumpkin-forward products on our shelves this season – including new entries like Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate and the much-anticipated Pumpkin Mini Sheet Cake. And despite the plethora of pumpkin, this season is also about so much more. Like Apple (Shortbread Cookies), Maple (Brown Sugar Butter), Vanilla Cardamom (Cold Brew Coffee), and Butternut Squash (Mac & Cheese). There are returning faves and new finds filled with fabulous flavors in every corner of your neighborhood Trader Joe’s. Listen in to this episode of Inside Trader Joe’s to get the scoop on a few of our favorites. Check out traderjoes.com and @traderjoes on Instagram for more on what’s new and what’s back (finally!) in your Trader Joe’s. Transcript
28:2809/09/2024
Episode 77: Trader Joe's Goes Back to School with Chocolate and Mustard
When we think about back-to-school, we immediately think of chocolate and mustard. (Doesn’t everyone?) Specifically, we think of Belgian chocolate and Dijon Mustard. Just in time for back-to-school shopping – as well as classes like History, Geography, Chemistry, and Culinary Arts – this episode of Inside Trader Joe’s takes you to the source of these longtime favorites. Travel along with us as we go inside a chocolate factory – outside Brussels – talking to the folks who make some of our favorite chocolate (we’re looking at you, Pound Plus Bars!); and to the very (aromatic) room where the mustard magic happens, getting the inside scoop on how Dijon, France came to be home of the world’s most iconic mustard. Transcript (PDF)
24:0326/08/2024
ICYMI: What Do the Bells Mean at Trader Joe's?
Do you ever feel like you’re hearing things when you’re shopping at Trader Joe’s? You’re not alone. The bells are ringing at Trader Joe’s – nearly all the time. They act as a kind of intercom system, and they keep us attuned to what’s happening in the store. Ever wonder what they mean? Come on, ring those bells, and tune in to the latest in our series of bite-sized episodes, ITJ ICYMI, to get the scoop. Transcript (PDF)
04:2119/08/2024
Episode 76: Growing People at Trader Joe's
When you ask folks why they shop at Trader Joe’s, they’ll usually mention the “Three Ps” – Products, Prices, and People. In this episode of Inside Trader Joe’s, we’re diving deep into the third P – People. As we continue to open more stores around the country, ensuring we have the right people in those stores is a top priority. And it doesn’t happen by accident. We’re always on the lookout for great people, and we’re constantly at work developing tools to help those folks cultivate their skills and strengths. More Trader Joe’s stores means more than just new buildings; it means more opportunities for more people to grow right along with us. Transcript (PDF)
22:5905/08/2024
Episode 75: Trader Joe's Store Recipe Contest Winner
Fact number one: nothing generates excitement like a contest. Fact number two: when we announced our Store Recipe Contest, we could not have predicted the level of excitement it would generate. Fact number three: the Crew Members in our stores are culinary creative in countless ways, and the recipes they submitted for this contest were exciting, interesting, and most of all, delicious. In this episode of Inside Trader Joe’s, we get a behind the scenes look into how the winning recipe was chosen, and we have a chat with the curious and creative Crew Members behind the winning recipe. And speaking of recipes… fact number four: you’ll find the contest champ at traderjoes.com. Transcript (PDF)
17:5515/07/2024
ICYMI: How Do I Find Great Trader Joe's Recipes
Looking for something interesting – and easy to prepare – for dinner? An appetizer to wow a crowd? A cocktail or mocktail to satisfy even the most critical companion? Or even a creative way to use up the very last bits of peanut butter or jam? We turn to our resident recipe developer for help, and share some tips to help you find recipes that are sure to make you love your favorite TJ’s products even more. Tune in to the latest in our series of bite-sized episodes, ITJ ICYMI, for all the delicious details. Transcript (PDF)
11:5524/06/2024
Episode 74: A List for Summertime Shopping at Trader Joe's
Trader Joe’s is ready for summer! Our shelves, freezers, refrigerators, and bakery racks are brimming with new and returning favorites to make the season really shine. Bet you didn’t know you needed Eggs & Bacon Gummies… but you do. And your dog needs Surf’s Pup Dog Biscuits just as much. Two new ready-to-pop-on-the-grill burgers will have all your friends on the lookout for your next cookout. A new Boba kit, Coffee Mochi Ice Cream, and Organic Freezer Pops… listen in for all the delicious details, and then swing by your neighborhood Trader Joe’s and fill a cart with your faves. Three, two, one… summer! Transcript (PDF)
28:5710/06/2024
ICYMI: How Does Trader Joe's Set Prices (Spoiler Alert: It's About Value)
At Trader Joe’s, we more or less obsess over value, that magical place where top quality and excellent prices meet. From Olive Oil to Almonds, and a few thousand other products in between, we do the work to ensure we’re offering the best products at the best prices, every day. So, how do we do set our prices? Tune in to the latest in our series of bite-sized episodes, ITJ ICYMI, to get the scoop. Transcript (PDF)
09:1713/05/2024
Episode 73: Trader Joe's Air Fryer Faves
The air fryer. Depending on who you listen to, it’s either the best thing to hit kitchens since the microwave, or it’s a silly waste of space. Once you listen to this episode of Inside Trader Joe’s, we think you’ll be happy to walk into the light of the humble air fryer. We asked some Crew Members in our office to share their favorite Trader Joe’s products, air fryer style. We head to the kitchen and enjoy some appetizers, entrees, breakfast treats, and even a vegetable! #babybroccoli Transcript (PDF)
24:5915/04/2024
ICYMI: What's Up With Trader Joe's Mini Tote Bags
Mini Tote Bags? Those are a thing? Apparently, yes. And we knew we loved them – that’s why we decided to sell them. We absolutely did not predict how much our customers would love them. So what’s up with these adorable little tote-lets? Tune in to the latest in our series of bite-sized episodes, ITJ ICYMI, to get the scoop. Transcript (PDF)
04:1413/03/2024
Episode 72: It's Springtime for Shopping List at Trader Joe's
Ah, spring. Birds singing, trees blooming, and products arriving, at your neighborhood Trader Joe’s. In this episode of Inside Trader Joe’s, we’re getting up close and personal with some of our favorite new and returning products for spring. Chocolate Donut Holes? OMD yes. Orange Wine? We spend some time with our resident wine expert to talk about wine of many colors. We’ll take a peek at – and a taste of – Piquant Popcorn. Can we talk about the Cinnamon Twist Danish Pastry? Yes we can, and yes we do, with our Bakery Category Manager. There’s always something new, delicious, and exciting at your neighborhood Trader Joe’s – this episode is loaded with all of these. Have a listen, then make your own springtime list and pay a visit to your neighborhood store... Transcript (PDF)
30:5511/03/2024
Episode 71: Inside – And Outside – Trader Joe's in Providence, RI
There are things that tie every Trader Joe’s together – delicious products, terrific everyday prices, and phenomenal Crew Members to name a few. Yet every store is also different. How can they all be different? That’s easy – we’re a neighborhood grocery store, and every store is in a unique neighborhood. The Crew reflects the neighborhood, the layout of the store reflects the neighborhood, and there are often signs and murals that reflect the neighborhood. Our store in Providence, Rhode Island is a great neighborhood store, with lots of only-in-Providence features to celebrate – let’s go, Parcel six! In this episode of Inside Trader Joe’s, we’re going both inside and outside our store in Providence, Rhode Island, to get up close and personal with this quintessential neighborhood store. If you're in Providence, check out the store and their one-of-a-kind mural in person. And if you're not in Providence, you can check out images of their gorgeous mural in the images below, courtesy of The Avenue Concept. And click here for more information about the mural and its incorporation of Providence's history. Good stuff, indeed! Transcript (PDF)
21:5528/02/2024
Episode 70: Trader Joe's 15th Annual Customer Choice Awards
The votes are in, and the time has come to reveal the winners of the 15th Annual Trader Joe’s Customer Choice Awards! (Can we stop for a moment to consider that this is the 15th Annual Customer Choice Awards? Seriously, we never saw this coming…) We’ve changed things up a bit this year, adding a couple of new categories for consideration – and that’s resulted in some new products in the winners’ circle. Excellent! Get ready for a (not-so) surprising upset in the Bath, Body & Home category and a delicious discussion of your favorite Breakfast & Brunch options. We even have some sneak peeks at a few new products, coming soon, that could just find their way on to the Awards stage next year… Click here for the complete list of winners. Transcript (PDF)
25:4322/01/2024
Episode 69: Trader Joe's Rings in the New Year... with Bubbles!
Year’s end is a wonderful time for remembrances and reflections… it’s also an excellent time (some may say the best time) for toasting to what’s to come, for raising a glass to a hopeful future. We’ll drink to that! And we can’t think of a better drink for that toast than La Burgondie Crémant de Bourgogne, a crisp and easy-drinking sparkling wine from the Burgundy region of France. In this episode of Inside Trader Joe’s, we take you inside the winery where this stellar sparkler is styled, and we get the inside story of how this classic Crémant is crafted, directly from the winemaker. We hope you’ll join us on this idyllic journey to a most magical place, just in time to ring in the New Year. Transcript (PDF)
20:1326/12/2023
Episode 68: It's a Holly Jolly Trader Joe's Holiday Shopping List
When the holliest and jolliest of holiday seasons is on the agenda, Trader Joe’s should absolutely be on your list of must-visits. In this episode, we celebrate some of the best we have to offer this holiday season. Danish cookies and delightfully decorated pretzels; candles redolent of chocolate croissants and 12 Days of Beauty to make your skin and spirit shine; cinnamon bun inspired coffee accoutrements and baking mixes… and SO. MUCH. MORE. To make your season merry and bright, have a listen, then, with a Jingle and a Jangle, pay a visit to your neighborhood Trader Joe’s. Transcript (PDF)
27:2127/11/2023
A Mini: A Happy Thanksgiving Wish from Trader Joe's
In this mini episode of Inside Trader Joe’s, we spend just a few minutes with our Chairman and CEO, Bryan Palbaum, and our Vice CEO and President, Jon Basalone, to talk about the things we’re thankful for this year. Friends, family, customers, Crew Members, favorite products being in-stock… And thanks to you, as always, for listening. Transcript (PDF)
06:4620/11/2023
Episode 67: Inside the Trader Joe's Holiday Tasting Panel
Before most of the world has even packed away its holiday decorations, Trader Joe’s is busy developing new products for the following year’s holiday season. How do we decide which products you’ll see in stores during the holidays? Our Tasting Panel is at the heart of it, and in this episode of Inside Trader Joe’s, we’re taking you inside the Holiday Tasting Panel, a days-long event where our product developers put forth their best ideas for future holiday fare, and The Panel tastes and questions and ponders… and ultimately comes to consensus on which products will fill our shelves in the holiday season ahead. As an added bonus, we revisit the origins of one of our most beloved holiday sweet treats – Jingle Jangle – and chat with suppliers making a couple of this year’s new creations. Transcript (PDF)
22:4506/11/2023
ICYMI: What's Not In Trader Joe's Products
You can see what’s in a product just by looking at the ingredient listing on the package. What you might not know is that Trader Joe’s has a long list of ingredients we don’t use in our products. There are reasons we use certain things, and reasons we don’t use other things. What’s what, and more importantly, why? Tune in to the latest in our series of bite-sized episodes, ITJ ICYMI, to get the scoop. Transcript (PDF)
08:2216/10/2023
Episode 66: A Trader Joe's Shopping List for Fall? Heck, Yes!
Are you ready to fall in love? With fabulous faves like Fall Harvest Salsa and Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese? Or maybe new, destined-to-be-faves like Mini Maple Marshmallows or Maple Fudge? (Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention some returning Maple marvels as well.) This fall-forward episode of Inside Trader Joe’s is a harbinger of the season, and a surefire way to whet your appetite for all things cozy and comforting. Honeycrisp Apple Granola? Wicked Good Mini Chocolate Bars? (Yes!) Have a listen, and have a pencil ready… you’re going to want to make a list of your own! Transcript (PDF)
30:4812/09/2023
ICYMI: What the Heck is a Tasting Panel
Did you know that every product on the shelves at your neighborhood Trader Joe’s goes through a rigorous tasting process before we decide to sell it? Rigorous tasting? What the heck does that even mean, Trader Joe’s? In a nutshell, it means we don’t just offer something for sale because we can; we only offer those things that taste great and represent a great value. To make those decisions, we taste everything – and tasting is, perhaps surprisingly, not the same as eating. It’s careful, it’s considered, it’s… rigorous. Tune in to the latest in our series of bite-sized episodes, ITJ ICYMI, to get a taste for yourself. Transcript (PDF)
09:0228/08/2023
Episode 65: Q&A with Trader Joe's CEO and President
Every Trader Joe’s has a few things in common – delicious products, excellent everyday prices, and really terrific people. In this episode of Inside Trader Joe’s, we’re talking to some of those people. We had the opportunity to chat with a group of Trader Joe’s Crew Members in Chicago, and then we sat down with our CEO and President/Vice-CEO so they could answer some of the insightful questions that came out of that conversation. As Trader Joe’s continues to grow, it’s the Crew working in your neighborhood store who make the magic happen, every day. Have a listen, then make your shopping list and come say “Hi!” to the Crew at your Trader Joe’s. Transcript (PDF)
26:2514/08/2023
ICYMI: What is a Private Label, and Why Does Trader Joe's Use Private Labels
Private label? What on earth is that? A label you can’t see, a hidden tag, a marker wearing a mask? Perhaps unsurprisingly, “Private Label” is none of these things. What it IS is enormously important to what makes Trader Joe’s, well, Trader Joe’s. Listen in to the latest in our series of bite-sized episodes, ITJ ICYMI, to get the scoop. Transcript (PDF)
05:4217/07/2023
Episode 64: Trader Joe's Splendid Summertime Shopping List
This episode of Inside Trader Joe’s is dedicated to sandwiches and salads in the sun, snacks in the shade, frozen treats in the sand (seaside or lakefront, of course), and all manner of food fabulousness in between. In other words, we are 100% ready for summer. How ready? Oh, we’re Lemon Pesto ready. We’re Strawberry Lemonade Ice Bar ready. We’re S’Mores Ice Cream ready. Listen in, then come on in and stock up on all the super summertime stuff your neighborhood TJ’s has to offer. Transcript (PDF)
27:0812/06/2023
ICYMI: Why is Trader Joe's a Bricks and Mortar Store
Why doesn’t Trader Joe’s have online shopping? Why don’t you deliver? The answer is, we believe the store is our brand, that what happens within the four walls of your neighborhood Trader Joe’s is a huge part of what makes Trader Joe’s special. Our business is built on people – the people who shop in our stores and the people who work in our stores – and a constant flow of new and exciting products, offered at excellent, everyday prices. In other words, we’re a bricks and mortar store on purpose, and with purpose. Tune in to the latest in our series of bite-sized episodes, ITJ ICYMI, to get the scoop. Transcript (PDF)
06:1315/05/2023
Episode 63: Trader Joe's Knack for Hacks
In this episode of Inside Trader Joe’s, we’re back at the hacks, with delicious and often unexpected ways to use Trader Joe’s products throughout the store. Pizza Dough and Biscuits on hand but not in the mood for Pizza or Biscuits? We’re here for you. We’re considering all the possible ways of using Everything But The Bagel Seasoning… what’s your favorite? Meals out of mezze? Yes. Got an empty jar from a favorite TJ’s product? You could recycle, but you can also reuse! And just wait ‘til you hear what we’re doing with pasta water… Transcript (PDF)
29:1017/04/2023
Episode 62: It's a Spring Shopping List from Trader Joe's
The vernal equinox is near, days are getting longer, and we have high hopes for higher temperatures day by day. All these things point to spring’s arrival as surely as this latest shopping list episode of Inside Trader Joe’s. There are so many fun new products to try – from Bananas! Bananas! Chocolate (that’s one product, and it’s delish) and a Chromatic Celebration Cake (trust us here), to our most verdurous candle yet and a Mini Sheet Cake that delivers a punch of puckery pleasure… did we mention there’s So. Much. Good. Stuff? Have a listen, then make your list, for a trip to your neighborhood Trader Joe’s that’ll put a spring in your step. Transcript (PDF)
27:4913/03/2023
Episode 61: The Trader Joe's Club
On this episode of Inside Trader Joe’s, we take you to a super-secret, underground, high school club – the Trader Joe’s Club! What, your high school didn’t have one? Neither did ours… but we found out about some high schools that do, and, well, how could we resist? We really couldn’t, so we sat down with some cool kids (it’s hip to say, cool, right?) to cover all things Trader Joe’s. Listen in… it’s totally bussin’. Transcript (PDF)
26:5127/02/2023
Episode 60: Trader Joe's 14th Annual Customer Choice Awards
We’ve tallied the votes (all 18,000+ of them!), and the winners of the 14th Annual Trader Joe’s Customer Choice Awards have been decided. When it comes to sweets and desserts, what takes the cake? What’s the favorite for folks feeling snacky? And what do you love most overall when you walk our aisles? On this episode of Inside Trader Joe’s, we’re announcing this year’s winners, and shining a light on some old favorites being honored in a whole new way. Transcript (PDF)
25:2223/01/2023
ICYMI: Why Doesn't Trader Joe's Have a Loyalty Program
We get this question all the time, and it’s a good one. The truth is, once you start to think about “loyalty programs,” you quickly realize there’s nothing in them to promote loyalty. They’re just ever-so-slightly-disguised ways to collect data about your purchases. We look at loyalty with a significantly different lens. Tune in to the latest in our series of bite-sized episodes, ITJ ICYMI, to get the scoop. Transcript (PDF)
04:2002/01/2023
Episode 59: Looking Forward, Looking Back, with Trader Joe's
Phew! What a year! The end of one year, the start of another… there’s a reason folks get reflective at this time of year. Trader Joe’s is no different, as it turns out. In this episode of Inside Trader Joe’s, we’re looking back at the year that was, and forward, to the year ahead. Stores have opened, Crew Members have been hired – and promoted! – and millions of meals have been shared with our neighbors… We’re excited about what’s to come, and we look forward to seeing you at your neighborhood TJ’s in 2023! Transcript (PDF)
20:1426/12/2022
Episode 58: It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like a Trader Joe's Holiday Shopping List
Chestnuts (roasting on an open fire)? Check. Peppermint Hold the Cones? Check. Cedar Balsam Candles? Check. And check. This is a big, bold holiday season shopping list episode of Inside Trader Joe’s, filled with the fun and festive fare you count on us to deliver. Join us as we peruse the aisles and take a foray through the freezers, finding returning favorites and some exciting new discoveries along the way. What’s that? Carolers at the door? Check. Transcript (PDF)
33:5628/11/2022
Episode 57: Trader Joe's Wine Wonderings
Wine makes people nervous. We get it. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Like the rest of your TJ’s shopping experience, we think buying wine should be a fun and feel like an adventure. So, when you go to your neighborhood Trader Joe’s looking for a bottle of wine, and you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for… don’t panic! There are knowledgeable Crew Members there who can help. They taste the wines, they know which wines taste great with which foods, and they’re always happy to make suggestions. We had the opportunity to chat with a couple of those folks, who shared bunches of information about how we approach wine at Trader Joe’s. Have a listen, then head to your TJ’s and find the ideal bottle of vino for that party next weekend, a gift for a special someone, or dinner tonight! Transcript (PDF)
28:5907/11/2022
ICYMI: What's Up With Trader Joe's Parking Lots
If there’s a question we get more than “When are all the holiday products coming back?” it’s definitely “What’s up with your parking lots?” We get it. They’re small. Which kind of makes sense when you think about it. Which we do. A lot. Tune in to the latest in our series of bite-sized episodes, ITJ ICYMI, to find out everything you ever wanted to know (and let’s be honest, probably a whole lot more) about Trader Joe’s parking lots. Transcript (PDF)
05:2010/10/2022
Episode 56: Inside the Trader Joe's Captains' Meeting 2022
Aloha shirts as far as the eye can see, new products for everyone to taste, and So. Much. Energy! It’s the Trader Joe’s Annual Captains’ Meeting, and you have a front row seat, so to speak. Have a listen to find out about our plans for the future, the return of Demo (yes!), your store Captain’s favorite product, and what the heck is a Golden Potsticker Award! Transcript (PDF) Golden Potsticker Award Winners: Store # Location 8 Fresno, CA 26 Hillcrest, San Diego, CA 46 Orange, CA 59 Santa Barbara, CA 82 Reno, NV 85 Glendale, AZ 100 San Francisco, CA 101 Fairfield, CA 135 Queen Anne Hill, WA 164 Spokane (North), WA 167 Albuquerque, NM 211 Templeton, CA 215 West Los Angeles, CA 249 San Juan Capistrano, CA 250 USC, CA 284 Summerlin (West), NV 404 Fort Worth, TX 460 Tulsa, OK 510 Boston (Back Bay), MA 519 Portland, ME 552 Oceanside, NY 559 Staten Island, NY 571 Bridgemarket, NY 637 Media, PA 654 Centreville, VA 657 Willamsburg, VA 663 Knoxville, TN 678 Ann Arbor, MI 685 La Grange, IL 692 Brentwood, MO 715 Woodbury, MN 735 Buckhead, GA 744 Charlotte (Midtown), NC 781 Coral Gables, FL
21:0003/10/2022
ICYMI: Why Did Trader Joe's Discontinue My Favorite Product?
Ever walk into your neighborhood TJ’s to find your favorite product is no longer on the shelf? It happens to us, too! A big part of shopping at Trader Joe’s is finding new things to love, and because our stores are small, making room for those new favorites means some old standbys may have to make way. Tune in to the latest in our series of bite-sized episodes, ITJ ICYMI, to get the scoop. Transcript (PDF)
05:2219/09/2022
Episode 55: Fall for Trader Joe's Autumn Extravaganza
Autumn is in the air… and your neighborhood Trader Joe’s is filled with the finest that fall has to offer – for a limited time, of course! In the mood for maple? Marvelous. Craving caramel apples and cinnamon rolls? What a coincidence; so are we! Sweet on squash? Super. Pining for pumpkin? Perfect timing! Listen in to the latest episode of Inside Trader Joe’s for all this and a gathering of wine, beer, and spirits that will lift the spirit of any gathering. Transcript (PDF)
26:4712/09/2022
Episode 54: Trader Joe's Product Hacks, The Sequel
What’s the difference between a “hack” and a “recipe”? We honestly have no idea, but whether you call them “hacks” or “recipes,” we have some more to share. We heard from customers and Crew Members from around the country about fun, easy, delicious ways to enjoy so many Trader Joe’s products. A sweet use for pizza dough? Yes! Scallion pancakes as taco shells? Yes, please! A cake made with sparkling fruit juice? Excuse us while we head to the kitchen. We have some hacking to do… #traderjoesproducthacks Transcript (PDF) Cinnamon Monkey Bread Pizza Dough Hack As this is more of a hack than a recipe, think of these as guidelines rather than hard and fast rules. A little more of this, a little less of that… it’s gonna be good! Ingredients: 1 ball of fresh pizza dough 1 cup of brown sugar 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1 stick of salted butter, melted (Optional but recommended: 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract) Instructions: Remove dough from refrigerator 20-30 minutes before use and place on a lightly floured surface Preheat your oven to 350ºF Mix the cinnamon and sugar together in one bowl Pour the melted stick of butter into a separate bowl, mix in vanilla extract (optional) Divide dough into 1-inch round pieces – roll dough balls first in melted butter then in the cinnamon sugar mixture Layer coated dough balls in a lightly greased 9x5 loaf pan (can be doubled to fill a larger Bundt pan) Bake in the oven at 350ºF for 30-40min or until lightly browned and cooked through Let cool at least 15 minutes but best served when still warm To serve, flip the loaf pan on top of your serving platter of choice
25:4629/08/2022
Episode 53: How to Make a Trader Joe's, Part Two
That empty building from Part One? It’s a whole lot less empty now. Crew Members are working hard, designing the look of the store – spoiler alert, it looks like its neighborhood! – from wall murals to shelf signs, stocking shelves with your favorite TJ’s products (and some new stuff you haven’t seen yet), and establishing relationships with community organizations focused on ending hunger, so when we open, we’re ready to be a neighborhood store in every possible way. We have a great Crew, in a fantastic location… so let’s open those doors on the Trader Joe’s in Parker, Colorado! Whew! Transcript (PDF)
17:4908/08/2022
Episode 52: How to Make a Trader Joe's, Part One
Fade in on an empty building. Four walls, some windows, not much else. How does that empty space become a bustling neighborhood grocery store? It’s a good story, and one that involves a whole bunch of hard-working, super talented people. In Part One, we’ll talk to the folks who find the perfect location and the folks who get stuff built. We also get to chat with some Crew Members getting the store ready to welcome their neighbors. It’s a lot of work, and these folks are having a great time doing it. Have a listen, and look out for Part Two, coming next week to a podcast app near you. Transcript (PDF)
26:4701/08/2022
Episode 51: Trader Joe's Spectacular Summertime Shopping List
Summertime… and the shopping is delicious… It really is. Our shelves are stocked with returning favorites like Jalapeño Limeade and Dill Pickle Mustard, plus exciting new arrivals like Jalapeño Lime Crunch and Seasoning in a (Dill) Pickle (we’re sensing a theme here). Discover a new favorite while you’re listening? Make haste to your neighborhood Trader Joe’s, because like the season itself, many of these summertime products will only be around for a limited time. Check out the whole list: Brazil Nut Body Scrub Cashew Butter Cashews Cherries Dill Pickle Mustard Horchata Ice Cream Jalapeño Lime Crunch Jalapeño Limeade Nectarines Peaches Pineapple Sparkling Water Seasoning in a Pickle Seedless Watermelons Sparkling Pineapple Juice Beverage Strawberry Basil Vinaigrette Ube Ice Cream Ube Spread Watermelon & Peach Macarons Transcript (PDF)
22:2013/06/2022
Episode 50: A Trader Joe's Journey from Portland (ME) to Portland (OR)
When we set out to produce a podcast, our goal was a five-part series to take listeners Inside Trader Joe’s, literally and figuratively. Now here we are, episode 50! In this episode, we take you truly inside, traveling to Trader Joe’s stores in Portland, Maine and Portland, Oregon, where we get the inside scoop about what makes Trader Joe’s a special place to shop and to work, from the folks who really know all the inside info – our Crew Members! Transcript (PDF)
31:3023/05/2022
ICYMI: What's It Like to Work at Trader Joe's?
We get questions all the time. Questions like, why are your parking lots so… unique? Why did you discontinue my favorite product? What’s it like to work at Trader Joe’s? We have this tendency to just assume people know this stuff, because we live it, every day. So we’re launching a series of mini episodes we’re calling ITJ ICYMI: Inside Trader Joe’s In Case You Missed It. For the first ICYMI, What’s It Like to Work at Trader Joe’s? Transcript (PDF)
07:4319/05/2022
Episode 49: Trader Joe's Trips the Light Hacktastic
This is, without a doubt, our most hacktacular episode yet! What does that even mean? It means this episode is chock-full of inspired uses for your some of your favorite TJ’s products. How to make your flowers last longer and stand straighter… check. How to make simple meals in minutes using ingredients you might not have thought to put together… check. Delicious and unexpected dessert ideas… check, check, check! We’re sharing creative ideas shared with us by Trader Joe’s Crew Members from around the country… these folks know their stuff! Do you have favorite hacks for your favorite Trader Joe’s products? Share them with us at [email protected], and we may just feature them in a future Hacktastic episode. Transcript (PDF)
26:5011/04/2022
Episode 48: Spring Has Sprung at Trader Joe's
Everyone loves a list, right? And if that list leads to deliciousness, then even better. Right? Yes. This episode of Inside Trader Joe’s delivers a shopping list packed with some of our favorite offerings for the season. From sparkling tea to serious wine, and custard tarts to truffle crunchies, spring is in full bloom in every aisle… Listen in and you’re sure to have a spring in your step as you spring into action and spring forward to your neighborhood Trader Joe’s. Transcript (PDF) Video Link: How to Build a Choc-uterie Dessert Board Shopping List Sour Cream & Onion Rings Fancy Cheese Crunchies Spring Cupcake Mix Organic Poppyseed Dressing Grapefruit Scented Candle Retinol Night Serum When Life Gives You Lemons Make Ice Cream Portuguese Custard Tarts 4 Cheese Pastry Rolls Springle Jangle Ricotta and Lemon Zest Ravioli Grain Free Cheeseburger Dog Treats Sparkling White Tea w/ Pomegranate Trader Joe's Reserve Oak Knoll Merlot Trader Joe's Reserve Edna Valley Pinot Noir
22:0014/03/2022
Episode 47: Trader Joe's Designs Delicious
In this episode of Inside Trader Joe’s, we get to chat with the folks who design the packages and labels for your favorite Trader Joe’s products, as well as one of the people who makes sure all the information on that package or label is accurate. Ever wonder where the inspiration for the design on the Instant Cold Brew Coffee jar came from? Whose pets are on the treat packages? Or who the heck decides what a serving size is? This, podcast friends, is the episode for you! Transcript (PDF)
21:0028/02/2022
Episode 46: 13th Annual Trader Joe's Customer Choice Awards
It’s awards season, and time for our products to walk the red carpet. The votes have been counted, and on this episode of Inside Trader Joe’s, all the winners are revealed. Favorite Entree? Check. Vegan and Vegetarian faves? Check. Favorite Overall? Check. It. Out. Listen in to find out if your favorite is a winner, or just honored to be nominated! Transcript (PDF)
17:0324/01/2022
Episode 45: Hummus a Few Bars with Trader Joe's
From the humble garbanzo bean, the unassuming chickpea, comes the most delicious of dips, hummus. In this episode of Inside Trader Joe’s, we’re humming our favorite tunes, and they’re all about hummus! Listen in as we get a little history of hummus, learn about the state of the hummus at TJ’s, and visit two of our trusted hummus suppliers to find out how the heck they make all that hummus – 85,000 pounds of Mediterranean Hummus a week? You bet your garbs! Transcript (PDF)
26:3910/01/2022