I just had to check on that “funeral” tab. What, no plain pine boxes??? An interesting take on Cosco. I have bought prescriptions there, which you don’t need a membership for, and I did get a good price. Maybe I should go for the membership

Enjoy the CSA. Initial research suggests that when I move to New Haven, no CSA delivery. Someone correct me on this, PLEASE!

Hi, Mom! I guess I won’t be buying your casket from Costco; where does one obtain a plain pine box, anyway? Can you get Dad to make a couple of them in advance? In fact, now that I see the prices of these things, even at the warehouse discount, have him make enough for the whole family! As far as membership goes, I would think you would lean more toward Costco than Sam’s; Costco is sometimes called the “Anti-Walmart”, I guess because they treat their employees more fairly. But you wouldn’t want to have a membership in both and don’t you already belong to Sam’s?

Abby, I hadn’t realized you were definitely moving, or to where, now I’m bummed! But I have you and Lindy to thank for my finally making the move to the CSA delivery. I’m guessing, although I don’t know for sure, that if you can’t find CSA delivery in New Haven you’ll at least find a thriving farmer’s market or food coop scene.

From May to October, New Haven has four farmer’s markets a week, and they’re good. Besides all the normal produce, they have meat, cheese, eggs, and milk. More info here: http://www.cityseed.org

Thanks for the advice, I’ll be the one acting all indecisive at the market. Sometimes I’ve got a shopping phobia (and the Kretschmann’s delivery in Pittsburgh totally enabled it) . . . Or maybe I’ll track down the somewhat mysterious CSA Rebecca informed me about.

I can’t wait to read about your CSA cooking adventures, in my absence, Rebecca. Sad, but exciting, too.

And I guess I’ll start following your blog, Toby. A food blog is a very good way to learn more about a place, and its seasons. And its shopping. Ack.

i get my glasses/contacts at costo. the best deal yet…

Rebecca – Costco/Homestead does have gas pumps. If you’re looking at the front of the building, the gas pumps are to the right front corner, at the side of the property bordering the Mon.

On another subject – if I recall correctly, you and Leland recently discussed smoked paprika and not being able to find it in Pittsburgh. I was at Penzey’s in the Strip yesterda and bought a jar of Smoked Spanish Paprika.

I thoroughly enjoy your blog.

Jeannie, I saw the optical department and they really have some nice-looking frames. We have been loyal to one particular store but I may just get a new pair of sunglasses or something in there.

Thanks, Lisa! It was so nasty the day I was out there that I didn’t really look around outside but that’s good to know.

Regarding the paprika, probably when we said that Penzey’s still didn’t have it, I believe it’s a fairly recent addition. I also see that McCormick’s and Spice Hunter now carry it and McGinnis Sisters have it on their shelves, so I no longer have to have Leland bring it to me from New York.

I LOVE Costco – the things they have are, overall, much better quality than other (evil empire) warehouse stores. (Also, Costco is a great employer and a good corporate citizen, so I feel better about giving them my money!)

I like the capers, the anchovies, and the olive oil there too. We cook with all extra virgin (though, of course, it’s not the fabulous bread-dipping type, it’s good) b/c it’s as cheap at Costco as plain old chemically extracted leavings from first-press olive oil is elsewhere.

Oh, and the dried shiitakes in the 5 lb bag – also good!

Leland,
just wanted to let you know that I`m thinking of you. Costco is in Japan too. It`s no where near my house but they deliver.
best,
s r h

What Heath said. They are like the anti-Walmart of employers. I haven’t been yet, can’t wait! Going Sunday to check it out.
From other Costcos I have learned a few things: Their pinenuts- amazing deal. Avocados also gorgeous. I’m excited.

I would like to take this opportunity to go on record as saying that even if I weren’t moving I would not care about Costco.

Penn Mac has all the fresh cheese at reasonable prices I’ve ever wanted and, I just noticed, the once-rare smoked paprika.

No coffins, though.

Now I’m ashamed…specially since I just got back from my second trip in less than 5 days; I was looking for those dried mushrooms, as though I couldn’t find them at Penn Mac! I did fill up the gas tank, though.

I guess I’m in the same boat with zp when I say I’m not excited about Costco moving into town.

I realize it’s great for buying bulk foods cheap, but what about their selection of organic and premium items? I understand it’s virtually non-existent. Do they even have environmentally-friendly paper products like those made by Seventh Generation? In addition, going through the oft-nasty traffic at the Hi-Level Bridge to get there appeases neither my taste buds nor my driving sentiment.

I’ll stick with Trader Joe’s and Giant Eagle (Market District only!) for groceries and go to the Strip to get the odd pound of serrano ham or rare ethnic food.

I’m glad to hear you’re having success with Costco, though!

Ahhh… stilton with apricots! When I lived in the UK, I shopped at Waitrose and they had the most amazing cheese selection, including stilton with apricots, cranberries and some other lovely fruits. I miss the selection! I may have to go to Cosco.

Ah, Waitrose… they have those lovely, disgustingly-bad-for-you packets of generic frozen cod in cheese sauce. Mmmm, I often miss those.

I’ll try to talk Dad into making some coffins! He is looking for some projects. Just made a walnut table and pulled it apart. Hope he finishes it.

This conversation has become quite morbid. Perhaps Grandpa could be persuaded to build us a dresser!

I wish we had access to Costco, although I don’t know how much advantage we could take of it, having such little storage space. I think one might go in in East Harlem; my fingers are crossed.

Hi, Colin – Your comment about no organic or premium products at Costco got lost in our comment filter somehow and I just retrieved it. I’ll have to pay more attention to that next time, although I did buy a big bag of organic cuban coffee beans last time I was there.

And I don’t usually bother with “environmentally friendly” paper products much, anyway, preferring to try to reduce my use of paper products by using rags and cloth napkins, rather than paper towels and paper napkins. And warehouse shopping where you put your groceries in spare boxes yourself, rather than using lots of grocery bags, no matter what they’re made of, has to be a plus.