‘Trader Joe’s does something wonderful’: Spike O’Neill applauds policy as new Seattle store opens

A new Trader Joe’s store opened in Seattle on Friday, and The Seattle Times reported the grand opening drew hundreds of customers.

Spike O’Neill, co-host of “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio, said that although he’s only shopped at the popular store twice in his life, he appreciated the company’s stance on food waste.

“Trader Joe’s does something wonderful, and most other grocery stores do it too. But if you’re going to go and visit the new Trader Joe’s in Greenwood, 8700 block of Greenwood, across from the much graffitid and chained off ex-Bartells, as I mentioned earlier, Trader Joe’s makes sure that nothing goes to waste,” he said.

Spike emphasized the positive impacts of the policy.

“As little as possible goes to waste,” he said. “They donate all their unused, edible produce to local food banks and hunger relief organizations, which I think was a wonderful thing to do.”

Trader Joe’s among grocery stores with activism mindset

Spike said that as he was doing more research, he discovered many grocery chains have become socially conscious and are working to make sure there is no more food waste.

“With so many people needing assistance and so many people struggling to make ends meet, and with funding cut from the federal level all over America to various support systems and support programs for people—it’s nice that a company like Trader Joe’s, or a company like Kroger, who owns QFC and Fred Meyer, and all these big chains,” he shared. “They do make great efforts and spend company resources and manpower on making sure that no produce goes to waste and it’s all distributed to families who really need the help these days, because there’s so few people helping these days and I’m glad they’re doing it.”

Listen to the full conversation below:

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.