Has Aldi's gotten better?

[oscamaya]

When I was in my early teens, my mom used to shop at Aldi and the only thing I remember about them is that you had to pay for a shopping cart, they don't give you bags (both of which I can deal with or work around), but the main thing that sticks out in my mind when someone mentions Aldi is that we had worms/larvae in our food on more than one occasion. Off the top of my head i remember the brownie mix and ramen noodles in particular. This is what has turned me off of shopping there, but they have such good prices on some things that you can rarely get coupons for. Has anyone else run into these problems before at Aldi? Like I said it has been probably 9 or 10 years since the last time I was there. I know there are some new ones being built in the area so I would like to check them out, it just sends chills up my spine to think about those gross little things crawling around in my food.

[Jenna26]

I've shopped off and on at Aldi for about 10 years now, and have never had a problem with any of their food. Some of it's not the tastiest for sure, but I just avoid the things that don't compare (like their fake Velveeta). They have a newer line, called Fit + Active, that it just awesome! Dried fruits, nuts, healthier chips, yogurts, fat-free broth, delicious turkey meatballs, fat-free whipped cream, etc.

[momtimesfive]

I have never had a problem with Aldi's. I used to do a majority of my shoppping at Aldi's until I started couponing. Now I usually just have to go in to get Produce. They have fantastic prices on their produce and it is all really good. About the only other things I buy there are items I may not have at home (since discoveringstockpiling, this isn't very often).

I think if you return to Aldi's you may be pleasently surprised. If I remember correctly, they were bought out a couple of years ago and that is why some of their lines have expanded and improved.

[faeryedark]

Originally Posted by oscamaya

When I was in my early teens, my mom used to shop at Aldi and the only thing I remember about them is that you had to pay for a shopping cart, they don't give you bags (both of which I can deal with or work around), but the main thing that sticks out in my mind when someone mentions Aldi is that we had worms/larvae in our food on more than one occasion. Off the top of my head i remember the brownie mix and ramen noodles in particular. This is what has turned me off of shopping there, but they have such good prices on some things that you can rarely get coupons for. Has anyone else run into these problems before at Aldi? Like I said it has been probably 9 or 10 years since the last time I was there. I know there are some new ones being built in the area so I would like to check them out, it just sends chills up my spine to think about those gross little things crawling around in my food.

You're not the only one who had these problems, haven't shopped Aldi's since.

[marvholly]

I have been an Aldi shopper for >30 years, even in Europe. You do NOT pay for a cart at Aldi. You put a quarter/euro in to use the cart and get it back when/if you return it to the rack at the store entrance.

That said & done I find I am buying less & less at Aldi. their prices have skyrocketed, many basic products are now only available in their pricey premium line (Grandessa) or fit n active. I watch sales, compare prices & uses coupons.

Things I still buy regularly at Aldi are the nonfat plain yougurt in 32 oz, some flavored yougurt, cat food, salsa, chips, nachos, pretzels, cookies. Specials I regularly check out (baby carrots week of 3/9), watching for sauerkraut, black & garbanzo beans (should be coming soon, by early May). things I used to buy but I have found cheaper elsewhere are tissues, paper plates (0.99/92 pkg at WAGS this week), toilet paper, speghetti sauce, cottage cheese, Triscuit type crackers (Target & use coupon on MP crackers available on this site), aluminum foil....It does vary weekly/monthly.

I generally use Aldi prices as a comparison to deals at other local stores. Bought smoked sausage today for $1/lb, Aldis is $2/lb. Did NIOT buy the balogna for $1 from the same mfg as I do prefer the Aldi for the same $$. Bought 8 oz grated & bar sharp cheddar for $1.67, Aldi is >$2. Bought paper towel last week at Aldi for 0.59, other stores OUT OF SIGHT.

You need to comparison shop. You need to know rock bottom sale prices. Then Aldi MAY work for you. I do use Aldi as a cheap comparison price for anything I am seeking. Aldi whole chicken has been o.69/lb, However, my local certified store has run tyson whole organic chicken for 0.69/lb several times in the past few months. Many are items are really good buys. junk foood like chips, nachos, & pretzels. I also do like their salsa at 1.49/24 oz.

I probably would do more of their breads BUT I have outlet stores for Sara Lee & Entemans (Brownberry for $1.09/16-20 oz loaf) and buy day olds at my Food$less (Kroger). I do still buy their english muffins.

I do like their salad dressings (use italian & ranch) but have had GREAT deals on Kens, Kraft & Kroger brands at my local stores. There is a $2 Kens coupon in the weeks newspaper inserts.

[tunkany]

The reason I stopped shopping at Aldi is the fact that they don't accept coupons and credit cards. I have a Bottom Dollar store (formerly Food Lion) that has pretty much the same prices as Aldi plus they accept MFR AND Food Lion coupons!
But if I wasn't into couponing and had cash, I would probably still shop at Aldi's for produce cheese, butter and eggs as they are pretty cheap. The meat prices are not as good.

[Jenna26]

That reminded me about the credit card - I never carry cash and just swipe my debit card and enter my pin at Aldi. Well, I misplaced my card inside our house recently, so I was using my husband's card till my new card arrived in the mail. But I totally forgot about only using the debit function at Aldi, and I didn't know his pin! So I got to the front with a belt full of groceries, and had to quickly call DH. Guess what? He couldn't remember his pin either! LOL. Without looking at the keypad he couldn't think of it. I was seriously getting nervous, when he finally remembered it. Whew!! I get so accustomed to just using the credit function and signing.

[klystone]

I love Aldi's for certain things, but like some of the pp's, I've found that I can get name-brand stuff cheaper/free by using coupons and sales at regular grocery stores. I've never once had an issue with their food being bad, not even their produce. I love their Fit and Active line; their price on ground turkey (Honeysuckle brand) can't be beat at other stores even on sale. I also love their microwave popcorn (fit and active)--it's the best light popcorn I've ever had! They also have name-brand cheeses at times for a very good price, and I've heard really good things about their ice cream.

[aimeebee]

I have shopped at Aldi's since the early 90s and never had a problem with any kind of bugs there. But, I think some of those little buggers are worse when you live in a warmer climate, so in Southern or Western states may be where you would find more of those problems?? Last summer I did find one box of pasta with larvae and it came from Kroger's...it is the ONLY time that I have ever found them in anything in my life! It was also in late August and the box had been in my pantry a long time- it didn't spread to anything else. I think cold weather kills that stuff off here.

[WillyWonka]

We've shopped at Aldi's for well over 10 years and have never had a problem with any kind of bugs - yuck! But we also are finding that we are buying less and less there. We had a Price Rite open recently and they have a much better produce selection. We do continue to shop at Aldi's for a handful of items that I haven't found cheaper elsewhere.