I hate to tell you this but, I did go to the Publix on bella Cruz and darned if they didn't have the identical problem. It really appeared as if Publix had purchased their cantaloupes from WalMart. I'm not kidding, the Publix melons were just as bad !!!!

Not a Walmart fan.
Never buy produce or meat from them.

Walmart: I think it depends a lot on the local manager. We have obvious differences in the ones here locally. They do buy fruits and veges locally if possible and maybe that's the problem there, that they're not locally produced. The one I use here is very good.

My ladyfriend calls the one she shops at Hellmart! She likes the one where I shop. :laugh:

Some of Walmart's quality (or lack of) is not limited to your area. In Alaska we have noticed the same observations about produce and meat. Needless to say we go elsewhere. We have a Kroger owned store that offers much better in the area. I understand your Publix is a good place to shop?

I think the key is taking the time to examine produce carefully before buying. Who hasn't grabbed something quickly, and found soft spots when groceries were unpacked at home? Yuk.

not the key
 

The point is not about a person being a smart shopper, its about a major grocery selling produce that should be thrown out. Walmart has produce managers and of course the store manager. One of these managers should have taken the rotting cantaloupes off the floor. I cannot accept the idea that any major store manager would not have knowledge about inferior products. I place the blame on the managers, not on me because i didn't take the time to examine the produce. It was rotting, all of it !!!!

I worked in a supermarket (many moons ago) in H. S. and college during the summers---Mostly worked in produce. You wouldn't believe how much went out the back door. Lots of waste! The quality absolutely depends on the produce manager. I worked under good and bad---store manager fired one guy because he didn't do his job, as a matter of fact, I might had something to do with it! Sometimes you get poor produce from the wholesale people. I was always told that "we don't make anything off our produce but liked to break even.".

Warren, you are right. If all the cantaloupes were rotting, they should not have been for sale.

I've heard that the more expensive stores, like Fresh Market, have buyers that go to the Terminal daily and get first choice of produce and pay a bit more. And that buyers for the discount stores get what is left, and pay a bit less. I have no idea if that is true. Probably another unfounded canard. :throwtomatoes:

Why not look on the melons or whatever produce you buy to see what country they are from? All are labeled.

melons
 

What would that accomplish ??? Grown in America melons rot just like those from South America, It is the store's responsibility to remove unacceptable produce from the shelves.