Has anyone noticed a problem with meat purchased at Wal-Mart?

[lib2DaBone]

I dont like to shop Wal Mart if possible.. but being unemployed I have no choice but to try and save..

The last 2 weeks I bought a Beef Top Round Roast and a Pork Roast (1.5 lb). (I like to buy small roasts,,, that way what is left over I can grind up and and make Tacos or Chile during the week.

Both purchases at Wal-Mart had a terrible texture, salty flavor and a terrible taste.. my family refused to eat. I ended up putting them down the disposal... not good in these economic times..

I talked to my neighbors.. and they said they have also quit buying meat at Wal-Mart.. (except for ground beef)

Wal-Mart meat is just awful ... could it be horse meat or some other substitute that they are selling as beef? Just curious..

[hippywife]

1. I don't know where you are or what your budget is like,

but please find a local coop or CSA for your meats. It costs more but it is so worth it in so many ways. Our taxes already subsidize the crap in the store, so we're paying for quality already but not getting it and the lack of hormones, anti-biotics, and garbage feed is so important. I feel much better and more secure in what I'm eating. I've gotten to know the people raising my food very well and they've become friends. I can go to their farms any time I want and know what I'm going to encounter in terms of how the animals are raised.

You can start out slow if you need to and just kind of work it into the budget a little at a time. You won't ever be sorry.

Try looking here:

www.localharvest.org


:hi:

[hippywife]

9. I'm so sorry, I somehow missed

the fact that you are unemployed. Our farmer's market vendors accept food stamps as do some many around the country in order to provide healthy food for everyone.

Hope things get better for you soon. :hug:

[lib2DaBone]

15. Thats a good idea. I didnt know they took food stamps at Farmers Market.

[hippywife]

17. I wish you all the best, hon.

I hope your employment situation turns around in a big way really, really soon. :hug:

[Retrograde]

2. Horsemeat's expensive (where it's legal)

It's most likely beef, but cheaper cuts. Beef has a number of different grades, ranging from Grade 1 - Prime (the best, and I've never seen it in groceries) down through Grade 8 - Canner. Most stores sell Choice or Good (grades 2 and 3, respectively). The higher the number, the tougher the meat; most stores sell Choice, Walmart typically sells Good.

Did you save the label by any chance? Or do you remember what it said? My guess based on your description is older, lower grade meat: pork especially develops a particular smell when it starts to get old. It may also have had water or "broth" added; I've seen this with poultry but not with beef. I'm with your neighbors: don't buy meat at WalMart. One of the ways WalMart keeps its prices low it by allowing (or encouraging) suppliers to provide a lower-quality variety of their goods: I wouldn't be surprised if this applies to food as well.

BTW, the one time I've had horsemeat it was rather sweet.

[lib2DaBone]

16. I think you have the answer.

It is cheaper grade of meat with broth and salt added. I noticed it has a much saltier taste. (the added salt and the broth would account for the change in texture)

I think the meat is probably older.. thats how Wal-Mart sells it cheaper. It is not out-of-date on the label.. but I wwonder how long Wal Mart has had it in their warehouse?



Tthank you for the good idea on casserols and I am going to shop at the farmers market.

[kestrel91316]

3. I'd go vegetarian before I'd buy meats from Walmart.

[hippywife]

4. Ditto!

I totally agree. :thumbsup:

And it's not about being snobby about food. It's a matter of putting safe, real, wholesome, nutritious food in your body. People here have gotten put off with me before for being so adamant about this but it is so important.

[GoCubsGo]

30. Speaking as someone whose latest temp job ends on Thursday...

...I have found that vegetarianism is just plain cheaper. I'm pretty much an "economic vegetarian", as an old friend once put it. Dried beans are a good, cheap source of protein. So are eggs and peanut butter. I also stock up on canned tuna and salmon when it's on a good sale and/or if I have coupons. And, I've been seeing lots of deals on cheese lately. The shredded stuff in the bag freezes well, so if you find a real good deal, you can stock up.

I hope you have better luck getting out of this situation than I've had, lib3DaBone.

[Warpy]

5. Instead of buying meat there

why not buy less at a union grocery with a good reputation and use it in stir fries, in gravy over biscuits or rice or noodles, in pies, soups, and stews chock full of veggies? Using meat as a flavoring instead of a large slab on a plate makes nutritional as well as monetary sense.

Cutting down on the meat to the point a piece of cheap chuck will last a whole week is the quickest way to cut the food budget that I know. Add beans to the chile, grate potatoes and chop onions for hash, stretch it six ways from Sunday.

Buying inferior stuff that just goes down the disposal is false economy, as you now know.

It's likely not horse meat. It's very likely second grade stuff that's been rejected by other chain buyers, hydrated and heavily salted to increase its shelf life.

[grasswire]

6. Americans are being chizzled on their meat purchases.

Supermarkets are filled with tough cuts of beef, pork injected with fluids, etc. I can't even imagine how a succulent pot roast could be made with the crappy meat I see on the shelf at the local Kroger.

Believe me, I have a lot of sympathy for those of us who are trying to provide nutritious meals in today's economy. But I would rather have spaghetti than play their chizzling game.

It really makes me furious that they are foisting this stuff off on hard-working people.

Best of luck, friend.

[Tesha]

7. How do they provide a lower cost?

That's the question everyone should ask before they buy anything at Walmart.


Cheaper meat means cheaper meat - period.
And you always get what you pay for, even when you can't see the difference.


Seriously...
When times are tight, don't buy lower quality - buy less.

[hippywife]

8. Not to mention

lower wages and crappy treatment for the poor folks who work there...always. :cry:

[pengillian101]

40. Exactly, but a friend that used to work there still defends Walmart.

Me, I've never been inside one and never will. My friend was brainwashed, I am certain. She rose through the ranks and bought all their corporate baloney.

Funny, we just talked about this the other day at lunch, and she still gets kinda huffy about it. Guess we should just drop it. :silly:

[elleng]

10. Contrary to others, sounds like something particular and peculiar.

'terrible texture, salty flavor and a terrible taste.. my family refused to eat' doesn't sound related to 'grade,' but rather something other. Don't know what it would be, sorry.

[Arkansas Granny]

11. I don't buy meats at Wal-Mart. If you look at the label, nearly all of them

have "solution added" listed on the label. It makes the meat look moist and juicy in the wrapper and may even contain something to help it keep it's fresh color. I'm sure it's just salt and water, but I don't want to pay for salt water. Besides, if you try to fry the meat, is just steams and boils instead of browning.

[madmax]

12. Budget Friendly Casseroles

Under 10.00
http://www.bhg.com/recipes/quick-easy/casseroles-under-ten-dollars/?sssdmh=dm17.466578&esrc=nwwr06_11tbt&email=2057353320

Healthy and budget friendly
http://www.bhg.com/recipes/food-slide-shows/healthy-eating/healthy-recipes-on-a-dime/

Never shopped at Walmart until we moved here, it's only 1/8th of a mile from the house so it's tempting. We don't buy meat at Walmart - except for ground burger in a tube type thing, haven't had any problems with that and you can select how lean. One is I think 83% lean another 92%.

:hug:

[grasswire]

13. I want to give you a hug...

...and tell you how sorry I am that you are unemployed and trying so valiantly to make do. So many of we-the-people are struggling. I'm sorry over each one. I hope things go better for you soon.

[hippywife]

14. You're da best, E.

Really. :hug:

[madmax]

18. I feel terrible

having just spent money on a food processor when people are having a hard time buying food.

To assuage my guilt it's time to make a contribution to the local food bank. They're really being stretched to the max.

[hippywife]

19. That was a good idea.

We all do with what we have, and help others along the way. I used to feel horrible about going out to dinner or to have a good time with friends with the war going on and so many innocent people being hurt and killed, but it soon drove me into a depression. We all need the happy moments in life, or we'll not be here to fight injustice another day. Absolve yourself. :hug:

[GoCubsGo]

28. You have no reason to feel terrible

Your purchase may have helped to keep some store worker employed. Part of the problem with our unemployment situation is that people aren't buying anything. It's okay to spend money if you have it. Really.

[pengillian101]

31. local food bank

How odd is it that my local food bank that I donate to, just quit?

I guess I'll have to go state-wide. I'd rather help my neighbors.

[spinbaby]

20. It's low quality meat...

...from older, tougher animals than sold elsewhere. It's packaged off site, injected with saline and other stuff, and packaged with carbon monoxide to keep it nice and red. No lie.

It's possible to buy quality food at Wal-Mart, but you really have to watch what you buy. I used to drive my in-laws to Wal-Mart regularly, so had a lot of time to hang out in the store and look around. They have lots of cheap, highly-processed food that's really tempting if you're on a budget--unfortunately, the in-laws have a weakness for packaged cookies, candy, and snack food. Produce can be a good deal, but can be iffy as far as quality goes. Rice, beans, oatmeal, dairy, and baking supplies tend to be good buys there.

[hippywife]

21. If one can avoid it altogether it's really better.

Those cheap prices come at the cost of American jobs and on the backs of the poor employees who work there.

The Waltons, through Arvest Bank, have been trying to get congress to pass new banking regulation so they can easily get into the payday loan business on their own terms as if these loans weren't already a trap for the poor and they sponsor charter schools instead of helping recreate free quality and equitable public education in this country.

Every penny they get supports their sick agendas. They're driven by the philosophy of competition, instead of compassion.

[Monique1]

22. I found buying at Fresh and Easy

had great prices on meat especially if you learn when they mark down their meats. They have good meats.

[hippywife]

23. Must be a local chain in your area.

:shrug:


:hi:

[Denninmi]

24. Here in the Great Lakes, Meijer mocks Wal-Mart meat and seafood in commercials.

They're kind of cute, actually. Meijer is a regional superstore chain based in Michigan, with stores in IL, IN, OH, KY and MI of course.

They have one ad mocking Wal-mart's "enhanced" meat, which is what the OP ran into. The other ad mocks their frozen seafood.

Yup, that stuff is nasty. Avoid at all costs.

Personally, I try overall to never buy the stuff that's been "brined" or whatever. I'd rather have less real meat and find creative ways to extend it than buy that crapola.

[MajorChode]

25. I don't buy meat from Wal-Mart and it's simply a matter of choice

Their meat is pre-packaged at large centrally located plants and then distributed to their stores. So it's a matter of what-you-see-is-what-you-get. At my local market, the butchers there aren't what I would call full service, but at least they can cut you a steak made to order or do other limited custom orders. I don't eat that much beef in the first place, but when I do buy I want it to be at least pretty decent quality and you can't get that at Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart is also the last place I would buy ground beef. When beef is ground, the exposed surface area is increased many times over. This exposed surface area allows bacteria to grow much more rapidly. So if you're getting your beef which has been pre-ground at a factory and then shipped across the country, you're simply increasing your chances of those bacteria multiplying to hazardous levels. When you buy beef which has been ground locally, your odds of getting bad ground beef is less. Personally I don't even buy that. If I want ground beef, I buy a roast and grind it myself right before using it.

[Coyote_Bandit]

26. Decades ago

when I was a starving college student I made the mistake of purchasing some ground burger at Wally World. Made some chili. Had to throw it all out as it was inedible. The meat had large nasty chunks of gristle in it. I haven't purchased meat from Wally World since.

I now eat semi-vegetarian and limit my meat consumption. But I still buy meat - and I prefer that it be high quality. I usually buy in quantity and keep the freezer stocked. Usually I visit the local butcher - not the local grocer or mega store. You even may find that your butcher obtains his meat locally from the same folks that supply local food co-ops.

[GoCubsGo]

29. Not sure where y'all live, but...

If you live in an area where hunting is at all popular, find the local processors. Sometimes, they have people who bring in a deer to be butchered, and then never come back for the meat. The butchers will frequently sell that meat to anyone who is interested. I'm willing to bet you could get venison for a couple of bucks per pound. You might not have much choice on the cuts, however. If you find one that does that, let him know you are interested in some unclaimed meat if he happens to have any at any point during the hunting season.

[morningglory]

27. 2 acquaintances who were butchers at local grocery stores, that were put

out of business by Wal Mart, told me NEVER buy meat at Wal Mart. It is months old. They do something to it to make it look fresh.

[Lugnut]

32. I really hate Walmart.

My husband and I are on fixed incomes so saving money is our top priority. With careful comparative shopping and coupons we've been able to avoid Walmart for everything other than health and beauty items. Walmart is the grocery store that's closest to our home but it usually doesn't offer the best deals. We are fortunate to have two regional chain stores that offer very nice produce and quality meats. A local butcher shop's prices are a bit high but the meat is very fresh. There's no bargain in having to toss putrid meat.

If you have an Aldi's store nearby it's a good alternative for produce, dairy and meats. All of the local farm stores near us accept food stamps. The nearby farmer's market will be open through October and they accept vouchers and food stamps.

I hope you find employment soon. My daughter was laid off in early April and she's starting to get very nervous. :hug:

[old mark]

33. We are regular Walmart shoppers, but don't buy meat there - they regularly add salt

and other spices to the beef, which I don't like or want. The pork seems OK, but several other local markets have better quality at nearly the same price. We find a lot of good buys at Walmart, but avoid the meat.

mark

[morningglory]

34. Two butchers who worked for local grocery stores, who lost

their jobs and had to go to work at Walmart, told me and a friend NEVER buy meat from Walmart. They wouldn't say more, but said it is months old.

[Lucinda]

35. I have NEVER bought good meat from Wal-mart...or canned pet food.

The human stuff always tasted "off" - and when I still did canned cat food, it always made the cats sick. I rarely shop there, but avoid all meat and canned meats...though the deli stuff and fresh produce has always been excellent. I tried it in both Arkansas and TN and was the same in both states.

I have a friend working there now and he says that our local grocery stores actually have better prices than our local Wal-Mart. (He's a big bargain hunter and has done the legwork, so I take his word for it!)

[astral]

36. I had a couple weird things happen at Wallmart.

#1 -- I bought a dozen 'organic' eggs. I couldn't eat them, they were weird, like the whites almost had a texture like they were made of flower and water, and they were absolutely NOTHING like any organic egg. I forget the brand name. Had to throw them out.

#2 -- I thought I was getting a great deal on "Challenge" butter, and it wasn't butter at all! It was whitish, gassy-tasting MARGARINE. I had bought two pounds of it on sale and couldn't even eat it.

I don't bother buying their produce as it seemed strangely tasteless the few times I did.

[whyverne]

37. I'm lucky in that when I take my kid to his teen group on Saturday

mornings, there is a Wallymart, a ShopnSave (middle range grocery) and a Giant Eagle (higher end grocery) all within a mile. I keep track and I know that the WalMart saves me about $20 a week in staples. But I seldom buy any perishables at the WalMart. I don't like the meat or the veggies and even their bananas seem to turn black faster. After the WM, I go to the SNS for most perishables and then to the GE for the weird stuff like canned octopus and red lentils and vegetarian stuff. I have learned in my poverty to eat more beans, though being a busy single dad I usually get the canned ones. Still cheaper than meat.

The funny thing is how many other people I see doing the same thing. We wave.

[NashVegas]

38. With Meats, You Pretty Much Get What You Pay For In Large Markets

Wal-Mart has to contract with MASS MASS meat producers. They work for speed, not quality.

One thing you might try, if you live in a smaller city or one near a rural area, is scope out smaller grocers, like IGA, where you're more likely to find a half-way decent deal on a better product, maybe even local.

[pscot]

39. Costco meats are much better quality

than what's available at local markets. The beef cryopaks are a good buy for both price and quality. The added processing at home is time well spent.