MSM A Guide To Why Floridians Love Publix For Ignorant CBS Producers

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A Guide To Why Floridians Love Publix For Ignorant CBS Producers


A Guide To Why Floridians Love Publix For Ignorant CBS Producers
CBS would be wise not to pick a fight with Florida's favorite grocery store. If you've ever shopped at Publix, you know why.
By Elle Reynolds APRIL 7, 2021




In his response to the CBS hit job on his successful vaccine distribution, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday, “You know it’s New York corporate media when you come to Florida and attack Publix.” He’s right. There are a lot of ways we Floridians can spot folks from up North, and taking potshots at our beloved neighborhood grocery store is one of them.

CBS’ “60 Minutes” invented a conspiracy about DeSantis and the popular Floridian grocery store on Sunday, criticizing the governor’s cooperation with Publix pharmacies to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine.

CBS blamed DeSantis for using Publix pharmacies — which he has enlisted along with others including CVS, Sam’s Club, Walmart, and Winn-Dixie — because Publix made a small campaign donation to DeSantis last year. When airing the report, CBS edited out the majority of DeSantis’s explanation of the partnership. They also declined to speak with the Democrat mayor of Palm Beach, the city at the center of the report, who has since condemned the CBS reporting as “intentionally false.”

As a Floridian, I have a few words for CBS: don’t mess with my grocery store. Floridians are as proud of Publix as Californians are of In-N-Out Burger. (At the moment, we’re much prouder of our governor, too.) For the ill-informed propagandists at CBS, here are a few of the reasons I and many other Floridians are proud to shop at Publix.

1. Publix Gives Back to The Community
I don’t mean self-righteous virtue signaling. Publix stores are invested in their communities the old-fashioned way: locally and practically, instead of making cliché social justice claims with no follow-through.

In April 2020, Publix made donations to food banks to help support people struggling early in the COVID-19 pandemic. As shuttered businesses caused farms and dairies to have more surplus than they could sell, Publix bought milk and produce then gave it to food banks.

Also to combat pandemic hardships, the grocery chain waived two months of rent, as well as certain maintenance payments, for adjacent businesses in the 282 shopping centers it owns.

When my brother was 15 and many places were wary of the increased regulations of hiring a minor under 16, Publix offered him a job as a front service clerk. Several of the employees got to know our parents as his family, and wave at them when they walk in. When my brother planned a food drive for our local interfaith homeless shelter, Publix stepped in to help, letting him set up donation tables at the entrances and exits.

They also value their staff; Publix employees collectively are the largest shareholders in the company. In September 2020, People ranked Publix No. 1 on its list of “companies that care.” Publix has made Fortune’s list of 100 Best Companies to Work For for 23 consecutive years.

2. Shopping At Publix Is Genuinely Pleasant
One of the things that surprises some people when they first shop at a Publix is that the front service clerks will always bag your groceries for you, then offer to walk you to your car and help you load them. It’s hard to drive through a Publix parking lot without seeing cheerful clerks in bright green polos helping elderly couples or busy moms unload their grocery bags from their shopping buggies (and yes, we call them buggies here).

Publix is true to its motto: “Where shopping is a pleasure.” As a kid, I loved going through the bakery area because they always had a box of cookies on the counter to give out. Kids could pick from chocolate chip, sugar, or sprinkles, and it was magical. At the entrances, there were always coloring books and crayons for kids to color Plato, the Publixaurus dinosaur.

I also remember going through the checkout registers, where each cashier had little latex balloons to hand to children. There was a helium pump behind the register, so you could pick out a color. The clerk would blow it up for you and hand it to you on your way out. I vividly remember walking with my mom to the car many times as a kid, holding the ribbon as tight as I could to keep it from floating away in the sunshine.

3. Publix Is High Quality Yet Affordable
It’s so much cleaner than Walmart, but so much cheaper than Whole Foods. The selection is plentiful, and the Publixes near the beach even sell boogie boards and beach chairs.

You can buy hot, ready-to-eat meals in the deli, or freshly prepared meals ready to pop in the oven. After church a few weeks ago, my family went to Publix for fresh fried chicken, potato salad, and baked beans to bring to a friend’s house for lunch, because Publix is the place you go for things like that. The deli is also famous for Pub subs: made-to-order sub sandwiches that are a staple for long days at the beach or sports games.

Through its “Aprons” program, Publix offers culinary classes and recipes. Before COVID-19 regulations, you would almost always see an Aprons booth in the grocery store, where a chef in a tiny portable kitchen offered free samples of whatever entree or dessert he had just prepared.

There’s a Publix sale flier every week in the newspaper, and a long row of buy-one-get-one-free bins at the front of each store. Their store-branded items are inexpensive and high quality, including their organic line. They’ll slice gourmet meats and cheeses on the spot for you in the deli and even let you sample them. To top it off, their Chocolate Trinity ice cream is the best in the business (I’ve tried and failed to find its equal in any other grocery store).

CBS would be wise not to pick a fight with Florida’s favorite grocery store. If you’ve ever shopped at Publix, you know why.

Elle Reynolds is an intern at the Federalist, and a senior at Patrick Henry College studying government and journalism. You can follow her work on Twitter at @_etreynolds.
 

Redcat

Veteran Member
My Dad lived in Florida for almost 20 years and I went down there each year once or twice.

I loved their local Publix. The bbq pork from the hot prepared food was my favorite. Our Wegmans is great, their Publix was better (sorry Danny). Wegmans is more expensive.
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
No hate towards Publix from me: I got a lot of my meals from the deli when I was working on a relative's mobile home in Tampa. Decent-tasting food quickly that fit my eating plan at a reasonable price . . . can't beat that.
 

Nowski

Let's Go Brandon!
There is a Publix in my town. They have some items there,
that are not usually stocked, in other grocery stores.

Also, its where the really nicer looking older White wymings
do their grocery shopping. Have found out, that most of them
are single. It makes for a nice visit at Publix.

Please be safe everyone.

Regards to all.

Nowski
 

TerryK

TB Fanatic
Publix may cost a little more than Walmart, but not always.
Also the service is great. You can always see the Senior Center busses pull up and they all get out and buy their food.
Almost always they'll ask the staff to cut the meat in half or want something like half a head of cabbage. My wife sometimes asks the clerk to cut a acorn squash in half .
They always do it with a smile.
Right now. you can usually save over Walmart prices when you buy their BOGO or sometimes Buy 2 Get 2 Free .like they do with the cartons of diet soda we buy.

They also have a big neighborhood outreach. Either cleaning up a park or public area or helping a poor senior paint and repair their old home.

They also sometimes hire teens and older people with Downs syndrome or other issues to bag groceries.

As far a vaccine and Covid. Everything is pretty much open in Florida now. The grocery and department stores and mall stores still require masks but they are all open. Also most restaurants are now open for indoor dining. You can go pretty much anywhere and do anything you want. Publix is everywhere in Florida so it does make sense for them to give vaccine shots. In the last 2 weeks things have really kicked into high gear and shots are being given out everywhere.

We usually shop in Costco, Aldi's or Walmart, but Publix is the place we go for any last minute quick needs.
 

dawgofwar10

Veteran Member
Publix is great, and there new organic green wise stores are the best. Where else can grab a handcrafted beer put it your buggy with the beer holder and then do your shopping. And there hot food section, burrito/taco bar, pizza, fresh made sandwiches & subs, sushi bar. They have their shiite together, it is not wegmans but in Florida we will make do.
 

fish hook

Deceased
Love Publix. Wish i could afford to shop there. Got great stuff, friendly happy employees, well lit, clean, but a little pricey for my budget.
 

kyrsyan

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Here? Publix is a good store. The people will remember you even if they haven't seen you for months. They will help you. From a friend that worked for them, employees are treated well and have great benefits. For the community, they do donations. And every store is set up to keep running even if the grid is down. They have generators. So even if nowhere else is open, they are. The only reason I hadn't been using them as much was because of the need for curbside, and that is quickly being added in all our area stores. (It apparently took off like gang busters in the two test stores, so the other stores are adding it as fast as they can clear space.)
 

Cardinal

Chickministrator
_______________
I have always loved Publix. I'm so glad we have one near me. In fact, I think the Kroger across the street from it took a rule from the Publix playbook and upped their game a little.
 

vessie

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I love my Publix in Lebanon, Tn.!

I avoid going down the street to kRoger ( not a typo. Lol!) as much as possible when I’m in town. V
 

Macgyver

Has No Life - Lives on TB
My Dad lived in Florida for almost 20 years and I went down there each year once or twice.

I loved their local Publix. The bbq pork from the hot prepared food was my favorite. Our Wegmans is great, their Publix was better (sorry Danny). Wegmans is more expensive.
Redcat if you don't mind me asking what's your general location? Not may people know what a wegmans is.
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
Yes and WI. I leave them love letters on their corporate page periodically, but so far, no movement into Iowa.
 

mzkitty

I give up.
I like Publix, but they're no Wegmans. :) I like them because they have some items that are not stocked in my Winn-Dixie which is only 1/4 mile away from my complex. Publix is a couple miles. I'm lazy.

:lol:
 
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Reactions: bev

Satanta

Stone Cold Crazy
_______________
No hate towards Publix either-for me it was a bit Upscale. Nothing wrong with that. sort of like Lowe's Foods here.

I always shopped at Winn Dixie [;us, when I was himeless the ladies there put back the day's leftovers they were supposed to trash and I could go to camp, clean up then roll there and have a decent meal for that night and morning.

But-messing with Publix is to Floridians as messing with HEB is to Texans.
 

Jeff B.

Don’t let the Piss Ants get you down…
There is a Publix in my town. They have some items there,
that are not usually stocked, in other grocery stores.

Also, its where the really nicer looking older White wymings
do their grocery shopping. Have found out, that most of them
are single. It makes for a nice visit at Publix.

Please be safe everyone.

Regards to all.

Nowski

Dang... Nowski on the prowl...

;)

Jeff B.
 

Thinwater

Firearms Manufacturer
The media scum are just trying to tarnish his name nationally because he has a good shot at running for president in 2024 and they need to create some dirt now to bring up later.

Question from CNN at the 2024 debates "Isn't it true that you were involved in a scandal involving taking donations in exchange for the rights to distribute COVID vaccines?"
 

Thunderbird

Veteran Member
60 minutes has a long history of dishonest hit pieces. My SIL in Florida shops at a Publix. I love that store, wish we had one.
 

amarilla

Veteran Member
When we first moved south, my kids were little, 4-8. The meat department would take out a lobster, put it on butcher paper and let my kids pet the lobster at Publix. Then they'd put it back in the tank. I have strange kids.
The sushi man heard my 4 year old say "Mommy buy me sushi." He said "She not eat sushi." I said to the sushi guy that she would. It got to be a game between him and my 4 year old. "She not eat eel." She ate it. "She not eat raw tuna." She ate it. She ate every single flavor he made her as a sample.
Publix will take you to an item, not just say "over there" or "in aisle 5."
It is a pleasure. They will cut a fruit for you to try and not charge you.
Publix is great.
 

2ndAmendican

Veteran Member
There is a Publix in my town. They have some items there,
that are not usually stocked, in other grocery stores.

Also, its where the really nicer looking older White wymings
do their grocery shopping. Have found out, that most of them
are single. It makes for a nice visit at Publix.

Please be safe everyone.

Regards to all.

Nowski

The Bi-Lo that I usually go to at Haywood/East North was convenient for me on my way home from work, but since the Bi-Lo's are now extinct after 60 years, I have to find a new place. Been thinking about Pubix at Pelham Commons, or Publix at Thornblade. The latter usually has the pretty rich people.
 

SamGribley

Contributing Member
I have done maintenance and software upgrades for most grocery stores nation wide and found Publix to be the cleanest, best products, with the hardest working, happy, and well trained employees.
 

Blue 5

Veteran Member
I grew up within bicycle riding distance of a Publix, and that store holds so many fond memories for me that it would take quite a pile of paper to write them all down. Here's a few:

When I was in high school, Publix sought out students from our high school (which was right behind the shopping center) to work there. One of my best friends worked there until he went to college, and loved it.

Their sub sandwiches are the best I've ever had, and every time I get near a Publix I pick one up just for old time's sake. Their fried chicken is also some of the best I've ever had from a food service vendor.

But perhaps the most important thing about Publix is that they truly care about their employees, and in turn those employees care about their customers. My parents visited our hometown store almost daily in their later years, and got to know most of the folks there on a first-name basis. When my mom passed in October of 2017 they brought meals to my dad, and when he passed the following May they reached out to our family to express their condolences. The first time I went into the store after my dad's funeral I was greeted with hugs by several of the cashiers. I'll never forget that.

I'm a unreserved, lifelong fan of the company.
 

Redcat

Veteran Member
Redcat if you don't mind me asking what's your general location? Not may people know what a wegmans is.

I'm in Upstate New York

Don't get me wrong, I do love Wegmans, especially the 2 newer Super type stores near me. They have anything you could want from a piano bar (literally) to anything you need. But bring a bankroll.
 

MinnesotaSmith

Membership Revoked
Publix has produce I can trust to be good then, and not rot within 36 hours. This is not true of Wal-Mart. Likewise, they have better quality fish than any general grocery store in my area of which I'm aware.
 

Kathy in FL

Administrator
_______________
The Publix up the street from me used to hire special needs folks as their baggers. Everyone loved it and the special folks got a real job with a real income with real bennies, etc. They had to perform real work but they were treated with respect and many of them knew how to hustle and were better at bagging things correctly than the stockers did.

Publix was the go-to store for a lot of high end party families back in the day. You could make a huge meat order and have it prepped for pick up in 24 hours. As one of my father in law's jobs he would cook for Art Pepin ... some of you might have heard of him, some not but he was a big deal in Tampa and now has a Heart Institute named after him. Anyway, Mr. Pepin would have celebrities at his parties and my father in law would ask Mrs. Pepin what she wanted for the party, he'd then call the order in to Publix for next day pick up, then he'd get it and cook it. He' loved telling those stories when my husband and I were dating ... which was after my father in law retired.
 

AlaskaSue

North to the Future
After my son moved his family to Florida, I visited them and shopped at Publix for the first time...2018. I was so taken with it that I would sure love to see them in Alaska. Now, they’re no Three Bears, mind you....but for a regular market I always enjoy going to Publix and let them know when I’m there. ;)
 

meezy

I think I can...
Quite a contrast from our local Kroger stores (especially the one closest to me) where they act like they're doing you a favor by letting you shop there. There are 2 or 3 cashiers I avoid and will wait longer in another line if I have to. They treat employees like crap and are always behind on stocking shelves, especially in dairy, which is because they treat employees like crap. (My son worked there briefly. In dairy.). But we have an excellent upscale market that I love, and I've decided it's worth paying a little more to shop there. Except for meat. Good grief, their meat prices are way out there. Probably better quality though.
 

AlfaMan

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thankfully Publix has started slowly moving into the northern VA area. There's one in Fredericksburg and now one just opened in Stafford, VA south of Quantico.
Their stores are always spotlessly clean (one of my hangups, grocery store has to be clean!) , the people are friendly and genuinely nice to deal with. Their prices are comparable to others in the area. Meat prices are a little higher than Food Lion but nicer than Wegmans or Whole Foods. And not only do they bag your groceries at the register (which is why Shoppers food warehouse up here doesn't get a penny from me) but they will wheel them out to the car for you too. Last time we were there I gave the young lady who wheeled out and helped load !! our groceries a 10 buck tip-I was that pleased. Don't think they're supposed to take tips but that girl honestly earned it. Service sells-Publix has got service down pat.

I can't wait to see them come up further in the area; Wegmans and Whole Foods and Trader Joe's are the "upscale" grocery stores here. Wegmans is too damned expensive and snobby-I don't like handing my money to a carpetbagger Yankee company, Whole Foods takes expensive pricing (and snobbishness) to an entirely different level-no thanks. Trader Joe's is just too weird for me. They're like shopping and the store people are the druggie burnouts that hang out of the beach. Yeah, that kind of weird. As if the Greatful Dead opened up and ran a grocery store weird............. Pass.

Now if they started putting Winn Dixies or Ingles up here I'd be really happy-but Publix is a nice break from the grocery stores with attitude up here.
 

cupid's romance

Contributing Member
If you have a special item that you would like a specific publix to carry, ask the manager and they will usually keep it in stock for you. We have done this a few times and they were always happy to carry the item.
 
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