Food Store in a strip mall in Ft. Myers, Fla. Blogfinger photo. 2020. (I guess this article isn’t fresh)
By Paul Goldfinger, MD. Editor Blogfinger.net. (“Signs of the Times Department”)
In the past convenience stores offered a minimum amount of ready-to-eat food. Most of their edibles were pre-packaged like bagels or buttered rolls.
But lately such stores have been selling hot foods like pizza, cooked eggs, and certain sandwiches. And now they are promoting “hand crafted fresh subs,” as seen above in Florida .
A Grover I know loves to go the the 7-11 outside the Grove’s entrance. He says that they create good sandwiches for a few dollars. He also enjoys going to the Pathway Market where they have an actual cook on-site making a variety of hot and cold selections. He says that their “fresh” foods are quite good. This Grover has no car, and there are no super markets nearby.
“Fresh” food is dictionary-defined as “food that is not preserved by canning or dehydration or freezing or smoking.” So spoiled food can be considered “fresh?” They also promote “fresh breakfast to go.” What is a “fresh breakfast?”
Maybe they need to say “subs and breakfast made to order.” That way they avoid the confusing “fresh” word. And let the buyer beware.
And since when does one “hand craft” a sandwich? Were they machine made before?
Once again we see abuse of language by businesses trying to turn something ordinary into something extraordinary by the word usage on their signs. So, what do they mean by “fresh?”
Stores like this used to be called “convenience stores,” but now they are “food stores.” But of the “fresh” foods, how are they defining “fresh?”
Memo on the fridge door. Be wary of anything made with mayo. Blogfinger photos.
If they made the potato salad that morning can you call it fresh 8 hours later? 24 hours later? Can they call it “fresh made” if it’s still in the cooler the next day? Are they labeling such items with dates? And what do the dates mean—date prepared? sell by? use by? Discard date after opening?
These stores are just convenience stores with a microwave and a willingness to make sandwiches to order. Can we trust them for freshness? Who is protecting the public?
Wegmans, certainly not a convenience store like 7-11 brings in”fresh” fish daily. They will keep it overnight one night and then dispose of it the next day if it doesn’t sell by the end of that day.
If the fish was caught the day before it arrives on ice, then it is one day old when Wegmans gets it. Maybe they should label their fish as “one day old” or “two days old.”
Their sushi is never kept over-night. And they never say “fresh sushi.” A store like Wegmans is meticulous regarding freshness, but the public needs to be better informed about freshness at all food stores.
Typically when it comes to sea food, unfrozen fish is called “fresh.” And frozen fish when it is defrosted is called “what?” “Defrosted?” Public needs to know. If there are no signs to clarify, ask some questions. Be careful where you buy “fresh” foods.
I heard that Japanese tuna fisherman slice off a piece of sushi grade meat as soon as the fish flops on the deck. I would say that that is definitely “fresh.”
But, for those who have limited funds, disabilities, and no cars, these sorts of food stores provide some appreciated sustenance, so the Township needs to protect such citizens. There is literally a “food chain” when it comes to stores selling food. It’s like healthcare. On top is Mt. Sinai and on the bottom are urgent care facilities.
Some, like Wawa can be trusted, but if you are driving on the Parkway and stop for gas and a snack, take a hard look at the ready-to-eat display inside, usually a few feet from the “rest rooms.”
So since we do not have a clear definition of “fresh” whoever uses that word needs to find something more precise to say. Hopefully the Township is keeping an eye on convenience stores which are self-proclaimed purveyors of “fresh” food.