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The pain of going all the way to Trader Joe’s only to discover that your favorite spice, sauce, or frozen meal isn’t on the shelf is a particularly intense one. No one, after all, likes running out of their TJ’s favorite. Thankfully, a Reddit AMA by an employee at the biggest Trader Joe’s revealed exactly when customers can expect to see one of their most cherished seasonings back in stores—just in time for barbecue season.
In May, Trader Joe’s BBQ Rub and Seasoning With Coffee and Garlic (currently on sale for a staggering $89.99 on Amazon) will return to stores, where it can be acquired for a much more reasonable price of just $1.99 per tin. Containing a blend of coffee, garlic, paprika, brown sugar, and salt, this seasoning is recommended for steaks, burgers, and grilled chicken. According to Amazon reviewers, for optimal flavor, don’t skimp on the seasoning or the marinating time.
That’s not all that was revealed in the Reddit AMA, either. Below, find out three key things we took away from this deep dive into all things Trader Joe’s.
The floral section has a feel-good strategy
Trader Joe’s roses, mums, peonies, and more are sourced from local supplier florists to ensure the buds are as fresh as possible. Better yet: Bouquets that aren’t sold at peak freshness are donated to pantries, nursing homes, and more.
You can request discontinued products
Now this is perfectly democratic: Trader Joe’s takes into consideration consumer demands when reviving previously discontinued goods. This employee recommends emailing corporate or calling your local Trader Joe’s store to give your input on what products you’d like to see back on shelves (Starfruit Sparkling Water, anyone?). Over the past few years, a few products have been resurrected exactly this way.
Things go out of stock to cut down on food waste
Ever run to Trader Joe’s at 9 am only to discover, to your chagrin, that the kale you were looking for is totally out of stock? There’s a reason for that: The store uses a “truck to shelf” ordering system that ensures that there’s not too much of any one product to reduce food waste. So don’t be too discouraged about the minor, occasional inconvenience—it’s helping save the planet.
See more Trader Joe’s intel: 16 Trader Joe’s Secrets That Will Change the Way You Shop From Frozen Dumplings to Avocados: What a Chef Buys at Trader Joe’s Trader Joe’s Just Released Its Best Seller List—This Product Is a Clear Winner