Trader Joe's changes it pasta supplier

[y_p_w]

I've been buying pasta from TJ's for decades and they always had their standard pasta (99 cents) in blue bag packaging with an Italian supplier. I was looking for it on the shelf and couldn't spot it other than maybe one kind. Then I looked more carefully and they've changed the packaging along with their supplier (says made in Egypt). Different shapes come in different color packages. Not quite sure why other than they're probably in a cost cutting mode and the Egyptian supplier met their standards. Not sure why not an American supplier, but I guess they have their reasons.

 

[dishdude]

How does the quality compare?

 

[y_p_w]

How does the quality compare?

I'm trying it now. Got the penne and it's got a decent al dente texture after cooking it about 10 minutes. I've tried all sorts over the years and Trader Joe's was a pretty good combination of quality and price. I've cheaped out and bought off-brand, house brands, and even Mexican pasta. The latter was kind of sad - just kind of way too gloopy after it was cooked, but it was only one brand I tried.

 

[GSCJR]

I'm not surprised. A Canadian store brand of pasta is made in Turkiye and no longer made in Canada. Only reason I noticed is the packaging changed. I only buy pasta Made In Italy.

EDIT: Further, 365 by Whole Foods Market (Made In Italy), is reasonably priced for certain cuts.

 

[Lubener]

There's more food recalls associated with Trader Joe's which is why I stay away from that store.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

I wish TJs would change their sauce supplier

 

[Cropduster172]

I think Trader Joe's and Aldi's often share the same suppliers for many products.
I've found Aldi's Italian food line...pastas, sauces, etc... to be fairly good quality especially the higher priced line.

 

[John105]

I think Trader Joe's and Aldi's often share the same suppliers for many products.
I've found Aldi's Italian food line...pastas, sauces, etc... to be fairly good quality especially the higher priced line.

I can say that I've dealt with both companies through work, and both are top notch. Their employees act like you are working for the same employer, alongside of one another.

As a shopper, I prefer Trader Joe's. I don't go enough to notice so I basically assume their products are good and they are affordable for the most part.

 

[Cropduster172]

I can say that I've dealt with both companies through work, and both are top notch. Their employees act like you are working for the same employer, alongside of one another.

As a shopper, I prefer Trader Joe's. I don't go enough to notice so I basically assume their products are good and they are affordable for the most part.

You understand their relationship and history. Most folks don't.

 

[y_p_w]

You understand their relationship and history. Most folks don't.

They’re not the same company though. They might share a few similarities in business style.

https://www.traderjoes.com/home/FAQ/general-faqs​

Who owns Trader Joe’s?​

Trader Joe's is owned by families that also own part of Aldi Nord. Trader Joe's and Aldi Nord operate independently. Trader Joe's has no business or ownership relationship with Aldi Sud (including Aldi U.S.).​

 

[Cropduster172]

They’re not the same company though. They might share a few similarities in business style.

https://www.traderjoes.com/home/FAQ/general-faqs​

Who owns Trader Joe’s?​

Trader Joe's is owned by families that also own part of Aldi Nord. Trader Joe's and Aldi Nord operate independently. Trader Joe's has no business or ownership relationship with Aldi Sud (including Aldi U.S.).​

Never said they were. I said they share the same or similar corporate history and likely use the same suppliers for certain products.

 

[Nessism1]

If the Trader Joe's stuff falls short, Costco sells some nice Italian made pasta that I think is pretty nice.

 

[GSCJR]

If the Trader Joe's stuff falls short, Costco sells some nice Italian made pasta that I think is pretty nice.

Garofalo; good pasta!

 

[PandaBear]

I love TJ and their pastas. The 99c stuff is typically commodity non bronze die fast drying pasta that taste the same as the Safeway low cost stuff. For that grade I really won't care who they OEM from anyways.

For the organic $2 to $3 / lb bronze die stuff, I want them from Italy and they definitely taste much better, IMO slightly if not much better than De Cecco. TJ is the only place I can get the square spaghetti I like to use as ramen substitute at a good price ($2.5 vs $5.5 from Safeway).

Why Egypt? Probably someone want to export to US from another country for money moving between countries. Hard to do this if you source from and sold both within US.

 

[y_p_w]

I love TJ and their pastas. The 99c stuff is typically commodity non bronze die fast drying pasta that taste the same as the Safeway low cost stuff. For that grade I really won't care who they OEM from anyways.

For the organic $2 to $3 / lb bronze die stuff, I want them from Italy and they definitely taste much better, IMO slightly if not much better than De Cecco. TJ is the only place I can get the square spaghetti I like to use as ramen substitute at a good price ($2.5 vs $5.5 from Safeway).

Why Egypt? Probably someone want to export to US from another country for money moving between countries. Hard to do this if you source from and sold both within US.

There are dozens of bronze die extruded dry pasta available, and a lot is super pricey.

I wouldn’t normally buy it, but I got some Barilla Al Bronzo for free once. Weekly free item at a supermarket. It was OK. Was imported from Italy.

 

[GSCJR]

I would be surprised if Barilla Al Bronzo is Made In Italy, Barilla has been made in the USA for sometime now. I must admit, finding Italian pasta is getting harder in the USA, unless you hit a specialty shop and pay through the nose. The easiest to find is DeCecco or Rao's while at WM, but cuts are limted. Years ago, WM would carry Sam's Choice, but that has now been replaced by Bettergoods (both Made in Italy), again, with limited cuts. Further, years ago, Publix would carry Pasta Anna (non-bronze) which was 99c. but it's nowhere to be found now. FYI, Iberia Foods pasta is also made in Egypt.

Spaghetto Quadrato is aka, Spaghetti Alla Chitarra (easier to find).

I've been buying Soba noodles lately, that are Made In Japan.

 

[y_p_w]

I would be surprised if Barilla Al Bronzo is Made In Italy, Barilla has been made in the USA for sometime now. I must admit, finding Italian pasta is getting harder in the USA, unless you hit a specialty shop and pay through the nose. The easiest to find is DeCecco or Rao's while at WM, but cuts are limted. Years ago, WM would carry Sam's Choice, but that has now been replaced by Bettergoods (both Made in Italy), again, with limited cuts. Further, years ago, Publix would carry Pasta Anna (non-bronze) which was 99c. but it's nowhere to be found now. FYI, Iberia Foods pasta is also made in Egypt.

Spaghetto Quadrato is aka, Spaghetti Alla Chitarra (easier to find).

I've been buying Soba noodles lately, that are Made In Japan.

My bad. I was under the impression it was imported like some of Barilla’s premium priced items. Found a photo and the US-sold ones say they’re US made.

 

[PandaBear]

I would be surprised if Barilla Al Bronzo is Made In Italy, Barilla has been made in the USA for sometime now. I must admit, finding Italian pasta is getting harder in the USA, unless you hit a specialty shop and pay through the nose. The easiest to find is DeCecco or Rao's while at WM, but cuts are limted. Years ago, WM would carry Sam's Choice, but that has now been replaced by Bettergoods (both Made in Italy), again, with limited cuts. Further, years ago, Publix would carry Pasta Anna (non-bronze) which was 99c. but it's nowhere to be found now. FYI, Iberia Foods pasta is also made in Egypt.

Spaghetto Quadrato is aka, Spaghetti Alla Chitarra (easier to find).

I've been buying Soba noodles lately, that are Made In Japan.

That's why I love Trader Joe's. They don't gouge on Italian bronze die pasta. Yes I can tell the difference and they do taste better than Barilla Al Bronzo, probably not as good as the more famous brand from Italy but I can definitely taste the difference.