Grocery Adventures in the U.S.

Trader Joe's & Whole Foods

Location: Pasadena, CA & Austin, TX
Overview: Trader Joe's is a beloved grocery chain across the U.S., known for its adventurous product selection, affordable prices, and friendly, island-inspired store design. Founded in 1967 in Pasadena, California, the store caters to curious food explorers, offering a mix of global specialties and unique private-label items. It’s especially known for its frozen foods, snacks, and a wide variety of organic and vegan-friendly options—all wrapped in playful, eye-catching packaging. Staff in aloha shirts add to the cheerful, welcoming vibe.

Whole Foods Market, founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, is the go-to destination for premium organic and natural foods. With a mission to offer products that are good for the body and kind to the planet, Whole Foods is known for its strict ingredient standards. The shelves are filled with organic produce, grass-fed meats, sustainable seafood, and vegan or allergen-free choices, along with natural supplements and cosmetics. Their strong emphasis on ethical sourcing and wellness has made them a favorite among health-conscious shoppers.

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When we cook in the U.S., we almost always shop at either Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods.

At Trader Joe’s, you can get all the basics—potatoes, tomatoes, avocados, bananas, oranges—at shockingly low prices. Most of it is organic, too.

Whole Foods, on the other hand, lives up to its reputation as a premium grocery store. Their seafood and meat sections are impressive. Even just picking out shrimp can be a challenge—they’ve got more than seven types to choose from! The egg section alone is overwhelming; imagine an entire dairy aisle in Japan filled with nothing but eggs. Seriously, just deciding what to buy in Whole Foods can take a good chunk of time.

They also offer a huge selection of ready-to-eat deli foods, soups, and “good but not cheap” local specialties made with care. It’s a place where even choosing one thing becomes an experience.

These stores are typically located in safe, well-kept neighborhoods, so we often use them as a kind of barometer for safety when exploring unfamiliar towns.

Now—this goes for both stores and beyond—but American grocery stores have the cutest eco bags. I’m always tempted to grab one (or three).
But what’s strange is... most locals don’t seem to use them.
At the register, when you say “yes” to “Would you like a bag?”, they pack your items into double-layered paper bags with great care. These bags cost money and often go straight into the trash once you're home. Wouldn’t it be more eco-friendly to use reusable bags?

Strangely enough, Americans use tons of paper in daily life—paper towels for the kitchen, paper napkins at meals, paper towels for drying hands. And not just a little—a lot. I once got scolded for wiping the counter with a reusable towel instead of using paper.
And yet, ironically, they seem reluctant to print out documents on paper. So are they eco-conscious, or not? Who knows. But I love Americans for these little contradictions.

Back to the topic—
So, who are these adorable eco bags really for?

Well, I’ve come to believe they’re for people like me.
They’re a quiet way of saying, “I’ve shopped at organic grocers, cooked my own meals, and kept a steady rhythm during my travels in the U.S.” No words needed—just carry the bag.

I shopped, I cooked, I traveled with intention—and I brought back the bag to prove it.
Would you like one too?

Postscript:
After we got home to Japan, I read a news story: Trader Joe’s mini tote bags had caused a frenzy, with people scrambling to get one.
These bags have officially become symbol status now.