Reddit threads are home to many a well-kept secret about your favorite food brands, from secret orders to upcoming products and inside scoop on how stores run. The Kitchn recently unearthed an Ask Me Anything (AMA) run by a Trader Joe's manager, and in typical TJ's fashion, the dirty little secrets were delightfully pleasant.
According to the manager, there's a family-friendly activity awaiting customers in almost every store. While it's seemingly kept on the DL, each Trader Joe's has a stuffed animal hidden somewhere in the aisles at all times. If a child spots the toy, they get a prize — simple as that!
While not every single store participates, Trader Joe's public relations director Kendra Friend-Daniel told The Kitchn that in general, most stores do have a hidden toy. "It's a way to engage with kids in our store," she said. "If they locate the hidden stuffed toy, they just let a Crew Member know and they'll receive a treat." Social media posts from as far back as 2014 show families enjoying their reward.
The stuffed animal varies from store to store; lobsters, penguins, and whales have all been spotted in the aisles. The treat varies too, but in Friend-Daniel's local store, kids get a lollipop. If there's anything that could make a kid enjoy grocery shopping, it's a parent-approved scavenger hunt and the potential for candy. Just another reason TJ's is ranked so highly!
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