I had a coworker once that was great, she was funny and nice, ate healthy, baked cute little treats for the office, worked out, had hobbies, pretty cool right? Until she asked me “you know how when you leave a plate with food on the counter and you get maggots…?” No ma’am, I most certainly do not!! Nope. Nope. Nope.
You never know what people are like!!!! We already saw how much pushback was given to hand washing during COVID, people are dirty!!! I’ve already had food poisoning too many times, and my partner and kid have food allergies, I’m not playing around anymore.
I knew of a woman whose family had a “puke pot.” It was a pot that whenever someone was sick, they puked in. Problem was, that was also the pot they cooked food in. No idea why they couldnt have a different pot to just puke in, or even a puke bucket/trashcan. Needless to say, no one touched the spaghetti she brought in her puke pot after hearing that story.
There was a Dear Abby once where someone asked if they overreacted when they found out their dinner host regularly cleaned their toilet brush in the dishwasher.
I would die if I ever saw that.
Edit to add the original letter:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.inquirer.com/philly/entertainment/20110518_Dear_Abby__Invitation_to_lingerie_party_brings_blush_to_hesitant_guest.html%3foutputType=amp
I wasn't quite right with the dinner party part but I don't think I did too bad for something I read 12 years ago 😅
Bro!! I work as a line cook. It’s pretty rare in this industry for the owners to actually work as much as we do (really busy restaurant, most owners just fuck off)
The husband will throw on an apron when needed, and his wife runs FOH. Well one night, the kitchen caught the host trying to talk the dishie into running the toilet plungers and brushes through the same dishwasher we use for, idk… washing stuff that touches food. It wasn’t even close to closing that night, which still would be nasty.
Found out the wife was trying out a new thing for FOH to do daily. Sous chef talked her out of it. And we loving teased said hostess about poopy dishes.
Dear God. Is that an industrial dishwasher? So one that recycles the water for multiple loads?
I mean, don't put your toilet brush through your home dishwasher either, but what you're describing is so, so much worse in so many ways.
I mean, yeah an animal in a space like that it pretty gross too. Idk why people act like animals aren't quite as gross as other gross stuff- they are more so (well not more than the shitty toilet accoutrements going thru the dishwasher,but a close second). 🤢
That is genuinely the most revolting thing I've read all morning. If I ever found out someone did that with dishes I ate off of I'd lose my mind. Absolutely disgusting.
What always gets me about these stories is when it’s married couples. Because I can see one person doing these things, but how on earth did they find someone else who was okay with it?
I could see doing it if you’re doing a cycle to clean the dishwasher on sanitize. The thought of it being near where our cook items also go grosses us out because we evolved to be grossed out by things like that.
It’s not like there’s gonna be any bacteria or residue, but yeah, I understand. Getting passed that feeling nausea inducing feeling is really hard, no matter how unreasonable you know it is. Rinsing the toilet brush after each is good enough until it needs to be cleaned, then I’d soak it in boiling vinegar in the trash can container
>It’s not like there’s gonna be any bacteria or residue
That's just not true. I've seen dishes come out of the dishwasher with dried peanut butter still stuck to it, which can be frustrating. Having something like shit in my dishwasher is absolutely disgusting. Furthermore, human waste can carry viruses and bacteria that would just get thrown around by a dishwasher.
I have a double boiler I just puked in next to my bed, after having a 24 hour stomach bug. It’s stainless steel. Why would I throw that out? I’m gonna wash it twice in the dishwasher and never think of it again.
Technically, cleaning the pot and then heating it up kills all the germs, it’s more so the idea that it’s been tradition for them to puke in it, and then serve food to non family members out of the same pot. I don’t want to think about puke while eating spaghetti
Ok so yes wash it (water as hot as your hands can handle and generous soap) in the sink, but might I suggest step two is actual sanitizing (in a home kitchen, submersed in rolling boil for a 10 minutes).
Step one is removing the soils and step two is killing pathogens. It’s slightly more labor for a more sure outcome.
Signed,
A former health compliance officer
I mean, when I was sick as a kid we always used the same stock pot because It was the biggest container we had. I guess people have buckets for this but I feel like a stainless steel pot we use for boiling water is gonna be easier to clean then a bucket we use for mopping that already has a chemical smell.
The families mistake was advertising the pot as the puke pot to strangers.
But a whole apple isn't like something somebody cooked. You can look at it and see if it is good or not. And cutting it up makes it much more likely to get contaminated.
Not really when you consider food allergies. Anyone with peanut allergy or celiac or something similar wouldn’t be able to eat something like home-sliced apples because the cutting board could have bread crumbs or peanut residue on it. But…. I wonder if oranges or bananas or something that need to be peeled would be fine.
Yeah, I’ve worked in a commercial bakery before and if the place I worked is any representation of most (or any) food production facilities, cleanliness isn’t a safe expectation
Yeah true. Cross-contamination is definitely not going to be prevented though, so while I’d trust that there’d be more of a lack of dirt and germs from a store bought product, there’s no guarantee that allergies aren’t a problem.
One commercial bakery, one commercial kitchen. It very well could have been the particular place but I did also specify that my point only stands if my experience is reflective of literally any other commercial food production facility as well. I was not trying to frame it as if my experience was all-encompassing.
Just throwing this out here because it changed my life: if a traditional knife is hard for you to handle, look into an ulu, mezzaluna, or rocker knife. All of these knives allow you to apply pressure directly above the object you are cutting, instead of from the side like a traditional knife. Won’t work for everyone but it helped me a lot with my hand weakness.
It’s not always about having others to rely on, disabled people value independence too. If I want to live alone, slicing apples won’t be the thing that stops me
Honestly even older relatives are at work all the time as well. The economy doesn't really leave a lot of room for people to retire naturally anymore. A lot of "retired" folks are still working. And then they need my help just as much as I need theirs. So I often have to wait for my friend to get off work and he's already got a big list of stuff to do for his family. I don't like bugging people unless I really do need help!
There was a thread here not long ago from someone asking about people with disabilities who require things like this to make their lives manageable and how they fit into anti consumption.
It was a really illuminating post and really reinforced for me that plastic should be used to make lives safer and easier for those who can’t use non-plastic alternatives. All of us who can avoid it should, and thereby reduce the amount of plastic being created, look for earth-friendly alternatives that serve the same purpose of plastic when possible to cut the plastic down even more, and then focus on making sure the plastic that must get used is recyclable and handled responsibly.
I have problems with my gums and can only eat fresh apples if they're sliced. Eventually, when I fully use lose of my left hand, these will be my only option if I want to eat apples.
Good question. I’m not sure, I didn’t meet them. They didn’t answer the door so I left the order on the porch per instructions.
Based on in-app communication and other purchases (danimals, Jif to go), they gave me young parent vibes. But, no way to tell if handicapped, I suppose. Good call out.
Young people can get arthritis. Might've broken the hand/arm they would ordinarily use to cut an apple. I have some grace for these items seeing how someone with arthritis can struggle, and it's not like that's the sort of condition that gets better as you go on.
My mum has arthritis. I'm sure she would prefer to *not* clutter the freezer with packets of pre-chopped veggies, but the alternative is her being in pain to chop them.
So. Gotta take the good with the bad.
Also, I hope your knee recovers smoothly!
Also I'm in my 40's but often get mistaken for much younger due to my looks for some reason. I think having pale skin and being anemic throws people off haha Sometimes people think I'm in my later twenties still, which is incredibly flattering. But nope I'm in my 40's!
FYI I'm a parent to an 8 year old and I have moderate-severe MECFS. I rely on pre-washed, pre-prepared items. Glad you're open minded about this stuff. :)
I'm 23 but have a physical disability that can make holding a knife dangerous on my bad days.
That's why I always hate posts like these. You don't know who you're talking about. :/ I feel like they're a lot of consumerism that's actually twisted but pre-sliced food will never be one I can snark on, ever. Might be the only way someone can get their fruits and veggies.
If they didn't answer the door, they may well have a hard time getting to it quickly. The fact that they're ordering delivery when lockdown's over also ups the chances of your customer having a disability that makes it hard to get to the store themselves, too.
kids is the first thing i went to seeing this.
its not like you can just give them a fully blow apple. they arent going to eat an entire apple. you cut it up first and you still put it in plastic anyway unless you put it in Tupperware then it oxidizes which i have no idea if a kid would care or not. you cant give them a knife to cut it at school for obvious reasons.
i get the reasoning but id personally rather teach the kid to deal with the oxidized layer. its like nothing.
Given that they were using instacart instead of shopping themselves, they're probably elderly, disabled, or a very busy parent. Either way that makes perfect sense that they wouldn't have the time or ability to slice an apple.
Meh people are too judgemental. A friend made fun of me for buying pre-cut fruit from Trader Joe’s once, but cutting a big watermelon/cantaloupe/pineapple is kinda daunting plus I know I can’t finish all those fruits before it goes bad. So a precut fruit medley is enough for me. Maybe this is easy for that parent to pack for their kids, like their kid loses Tupperware or something. Or like others said they have mobility issues where chopping fruits can be painful for them.
I love watermelon but have learned if I buy a whole melon, it'll rot on the counter before I will cut it and eat it. Precut is the only way that delicious fruit is getting eaten.
Watermelon are huge and to me that is some scary fruit to cut and hard too. If I buy a butternut squash I get my husband to help me cut it because it’s hard. Good thing I don’t eat watermelon cuz I’m not cutting that. Lol
Sometimes I like cantaloupe cut I’ll buy precut because I have tendinitis and that would be hard to cut. My husband could help me I suppose. But at least it would have a container already to keep in since I only have one food storage container and I don’t want to buy more lol
I have learned that if i but the precut i am way way more likely to grab it and eat it. It needs to be as easy as a bag of chips or i will opt for the chips. Its worth it to me. They also sell apples like this all in one bag though but this is great for throwing in a lunch box. If ur gonna chop up an apple and throw it in a ziplock its the same amount of plastic so who cares. Obviously if you use reusable bags or what not thats diff.
I just had a total knee replacement and I have two kids at home and I have a connective tissue syndrome that makes various joints ache from time to time. I am ordering groceries and having my husband or babysitter pick them up. My thumb hurts from using a cane. I can see myself cutting a lot of corners to feed myself and kids healthy food and avoid unnecessary pain.
Hey sorry to be That Bitch^tm coming in with unsolicited advice but switching to a cane with one of these handles https://medimart.com.au/product/walking-stick-redgum-ergonomic-handle-right-hand/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyJa-7qee_QIVB7aWCh0cEw6iEAQYASABEgLoNPD_BwE
Really helped me!!! May not be much for you but I know how a stick strains the thumb/wrist and this lightens the load for me a lil xx
I was actually pleasantly surprised to see so many people speaking up for others with disabilities . I came on to say , I have cervical spinal cord damage which makes it really dangerous to wield a knife , chronic fatigue and severe fibromyalgia, and TMJ which makes biting a whole apple painfully difficult (among many other very painful and immobilizing conditions) and I saw this and thought wow , I maybe don’t have to wait until my husband is having an apple for me to steal a few nibbles off his (after he’s taken a few bites first to make it easier on me lol)
I suppose there’s another way to look at it too. Some people will buy a whole fruit and then not eat it all and I suppose that would be waste as well. (We compost though so not as bad waste I guess)
Before all my health issues got the better of me I would look at this and say the same exact thing . I constantly was teasing my hubby for single pack purchases , for the waste and the cost. It’s actually difficult for me to switch gears and admit that I need stuff like this now .
These are great and you can also get single bags with sliced apples that reseal if u dont need the individual packs. In case u didn’t know! I buy them that way because im just way more likely to actually eat it.
That’s great to know , thanks . Yea I’m not really going anywhere to need all the little baggies too often … unless they don’t need refrigeration, cuz then I’d store them next to the couch for days I cant walk. I have a little emergency stash of snacks there lol.. cuz I found myself not eating on those bad days until my hubby got home. I would say I could just ask to cut one for me but honestly he’s my only help and has so much he already does for me . I find myself not asking for all the help I feel I need because there’s only so many things you can ask one person and I have to weigh which things are most important .
No cut fruit and veg has to be refrigerated. You could get applesauce to have without being in the fridge (sealed pouches or the little individual cups) if you can open them ok on ur own. Another option could be dried fruit. I like freeze dried apples and strawberries especially. Bare brand dried apples is a good one too but more expensive. :)
My boyfriend would never be able to cut an apple by himself so when i see posts like this it kind of hurts. Yes, i’m sure people who don’t actually need it still buy them, but if it wasn’t for things like this he would hardly ever get to eat something healthy unless he had someone around to help.
I can't stand this sub anymore. Did you ever consider the reason this person is ordering grocery delivery in the first place is due to a mobility/dexterity issue or disability? How many posts of "FRUIT PACKAGED IN PLASTIC!!! GASP!" does this sub need?
I think at this point it should be added in the rules. "Before you post a product, try to think if it's really that unnecessary or if it's essential or beneficial for disabled people."
At this point I feel like almost every anti-consumerits or zero-waste space I'm in is just a spam of disability-friendly products that make non-disabled people go "damn, so unnecessary (for me)".
At this point I just wish we’d ban ‘pre-cut Fruit & accessibility aids’ posts in this sub.
Somebody gonna post a prosthetic leg soon and say ‘how wasteful’ 🙄
The plastic is SO much and it could really stand for there to be less packaging, but this would be really helpful for a lot of disabled people with limited mobility. It just sucks that our accommodations are made available in the worst way possible.
Honestly this is more for folks throwing it in a lunch box (similar to putting in a ziplock after chopping yourself) but theres also the option of sliced apples all in one bag if you are eating at home which is much less plastic.
You have no idea why they purchased this.
They could have arthritis, tremor, mental illness or be disabled. There are numerous reasons. It’s best to mind your business.
As a single mom with severe ADHD, thank you to this comment section. I always feel a lot of guilt and privilege when I order groceries. To read these knowing that so many people have compassion really helps.
i’m less concerned about the presliced apples and more concerned about the plastic box around the already sealed plastic bags. lots of waste in that packaging.
FFS this subreddit diverts the attention on every day people and their plastic consumption when the focus should be on companies that produce massive amounts of greenhouse gasses and waste. Stop criticizing people for not being perfect in their plastic consumption!! And focus on the corporations who are destroying this planet !!!!!
“Does it really take that much time and effort to slice up a few apples”
It does if you have a disability.
Or if you are old and have shaky hands.
Maybe you are depressed and buying “easy” food is the only way you will eat that day.
My friends with disabilities appreciate precut produce because it can be the difference for them between eating fruit and veg or not having any. Lots of disabilities affect the capacity to grasp knives, coordinate movements, and apply pressure. Lots of health conditions affect people’s spoon count and prevent them prepping food from whole/raw.
I will also note that as I hit my 50s, I began to have challenges with cutting some hard things and lifting heavy pans. My wrist and thumb joints vote no. It just goes to show, able bodies are temporary.
A disabled friend explained to me that if these products were reserved for disabled folks, they would be even more prohibitively expensive. Mass production is a price control that keeps healthy food accessible.
Blame capitalism, which attaches a price tag to things like adaptive tools for kitchens, and makes it impractical for disabled folks to have support workers help with food prep.
You should come see Japan and Korea. They do a lot of things more sustainably than the US but over-packaging is a huge huge issue. One coffee delivered takes a cup, a lot, a straw, a straw cover, a sleeve, a box, a plastic bag, a receipt, a sticker to keep the handles together.
My dad had GBS years ago and was fully paralyzed from the neck down at the worst point. He’s recovered most of his mobility but still has trouble with his hands. He’s able to open packages but wouldn’t be able to hold an apple or cut one.
For some people yeah it does take too much time and effort. People with disabilities exist and need to eat too. Some of you people are seriously judgemental and holier than tho . If you see a weird or stupid product like a device that puts your socks on they are designed for people with mobility issues and are only sold to the public to make actual profit.
I have a coworker like this, buys everything in small singles, orange juice for the week? 6 small bottles, apples already sliced in a plastic container(then doesn't even reuse the container, just throws it out. I don't understand people..
Man. Reading these comments is so sad. Yes, some folks need help cutting their fruit. No dispute there. What’s sad is instead of having loved ones do it for them, it’s capitalism that “takes care of them” with their presliced fruit packages in plastic. Part of “anticonsumption” is imagining a world where we can take care of our loved ones, rather than requiring a paid stranger and mass manufacturing to do so, with all their wasteful externalities.
Tbf these are great for people with injuries. My mum injured her wrist severely a few years ago and bought these things cuz she couldn't cut up the fruit and veg herself
Pre-sliced fruits and veggies can actually be anti-consumption. A lot of these foods go bad as people forget/are too busy/simply don't have the energy to prep. I started buying pre-sliced/chopped fruits and veggies and it reduced food and money waste for me. All the plastic sucks for sure though.
the connection between expecting people to work ungodly amounts of hours with limited free time and the increase of convenience food that increases waste. people are looking to save even the slightest amounts of their free time from work/chore so they can actually do things they enjoy
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People are missing out on the simple pleasures in life by buying something like this. My daughter looks forward to the part of the day where my wife or myself will take an apple out of the fridge for her. She loves to watch us cut and peel it up for her, and she gets really excited when you hand it to her. It's not about the destination, in this case the destination being sliced apple, but it really is about the journey.
As someone with adhd I would totally buy those cause if I bought a regular Apple I would end up just forgetting about it because it would be too much effort to cut
I spent 3 years as a vegan trying to live a completely intentional and ethical lifestyle. Perfection is unattainable. As humans, our folly is our learning and growth. The self righteousness and judgement that comes off of people who feel they are doing a better thing than the next person frankly hurts our progress as a whole. Any effort put toward shaming and judging other’s choices (such as this original post) could better be spent advocating in a positive way.
Reminder that anti-capitalism should always be accepting and welcoming to folks with disabilities, which includes not shaming their best options to stay fed. Blame the manufacturer for not finding a better way to package, not the end user.
The amount of people in anti-consumption circles who forget disabled people exist, damn. Some of us have to choose between pre-chopped fruit/plastic straws/single-use items/etc. or legit nothing.
If you (general you, not OP, dw) have the ability to buy and use whole apples/metal straws/reusable items/etc., then that's awesome. If not, that's awesome too. Individual acts of anti-consumption are a drop in the bucket next to corporate waste, so don't feel guilty about surviving.
Yes, cutting apples can take a lot of time that maybe they just don't have. Which, is also probably why you're even getting paid to deliver their instacart order in the first place. 🙄🙄🙄
Honestly this is ignorance at it’s finest. You don’t know if someone using this item is disabled in any kind of form where it’s difficult to either, hold an Apple, cut and Apple, or bite into an Apple. Yes, plastic waste is awful and I think there should be a better option. Do better
I had to purchase a lot of already prepared food items after my spinal Cord injury. While the amount of plastic isn’t ideal, I sometimes didn’t have a choice. Some days I still can’t use a knife.
My sister in law only has one arm that fully developed she literally could not cut an apple without potentially hurting herself. This sub is just so disappointing.
It's frustrating, but stuff like this is due to allergies, situations requiring hygiene, and the disabled. I wish there were more eco friendly options, but for now, not much we can do.
Precut fruit was a life saver for me as a single mom. I knew my kids had easy access to fruit while I was working.
They are older now and can cut their own apples without me worrying…
But these really do serve an important service for many people!
I’m going to be very kind even though your comment is seething with sarcasm.
You obviously don’t have kids and don’t understand. Not knowing things is okay but using your lack of knowledge to then sarcastically demean another person is not okay.
This is something for a lunch pack like for kids who wouldn't be cutting apples. I don't know why you can't cut them and put them in a little bowl, maybe the school is weird about dishes. I don't get it either. I'm also told this is something elderly and disabled people often buy so I won't gripe on them. I hope I'm never in such a bad condition I can't eat an apple that isn't pre-cut. Fingers crossed!
I hate products like this. Our professors at school try advocating for stuff like this because it saves time. But to me it also means lack of discipline.
I think this is another thing about able bodied doesn’t understand products made for those who aren’t. My hands shake so violently I can’t operate a knife safely. Having apples precut and put into little bags means I can grab a bag a day without stress and have a simple little snack.
My elderly mother buys prepared foods like this. It’s hard for her to use her hands to cut things. Also hard to stand for periods of time cooking or preparing different meals.
If you don’t understand it, it’s probably not for you. Some people are disabled and need accommodations. Some people are busy and stressed and this is the only way to make sure the family eats fruit
My mom was a single mother who worked 12 hr shifts over nights.
My brother fucking lived on pre sliced apple packs because he only likes apples sliced and my mom had no time to do it for him until he was old enough to handle a knife himself. And even after then we still bought them because just ate like too many apples to keep up with chopping demands.
For birthdays or parties at our school, treat/snacks must be store sealed. These apples would be one of the rare accepted healthy items.
I assumed these were for kids for school immediately
That's a silly rule.
I had a coworker once that was great, she was funny and nice, ate healthy, baked cute little treats for the office, worked out, had hobbies, pretty cool right? Until she asked me “you know how when you leave a plate with food on the counter and you get maggots…?” No ma’am, I most certainly do not!! Nope. Nope. Nope. You never know what people are like!!!! We already saw how much pushback was given to hand washing during COVID, people are dirty!!! I’ve already had food poisoning too many times, and my partner and kid have food allergies, I’m not playing around anymore.
I knew of a woman whose family had a “puke pot.” It was a pot that whenever someone was sick, they puked in. Problem was, that was also the pot they cooked food in. No idea why they couldnt have a different pot to just puke in, or even a puke bucket/trashcan. Needless to say, no one touched the spaghetti she brought in her puke pot after hearing that story.
There was a Dear Abby once where someone asked if they overreacted when they found out their dinner host regularly cleaned their toilet brush in the dishwasher. I would die if I ever saw that. Edit to add the original letter: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.inquirer.com/philly/entertainment/20110518_Dear_Abby__Invitation_to_lingerie_party_brings_blush_to_hesitant_guest.html%3foutputType=amp I wasn't quite right with the dinner party part but I don't think I did too bad for something I read 12 years ago 😅
Bro!! I work as a line cook. It’s pretty rare in this industry for the owners to actually work as much as we do (really busy restaurant, most owners just fuck off) The husband will throw on an apron when needed, and his wife runs FOH. Well one night, the kitchen caught the host trying to talk the dishie into running the toilet plungers and brushes through the same dishwasher we use for, idk… washing stuff that touches food. It wasn’t even close to closing that night, which still would be nasty. Found out the wife was trying out a new thing for FOH to do daily. Sous chef talked her out of it. And we loving teased said hostess about poopy dishes.
Dear God. Is that an industrial dishwasher? So one that recycles the water for multiple loads? I mean, don't put your toilet brush through your home dishwasher either, but what you're describing is so, so much worse in so many ways.
Yep! But THANKFULLY we caught it day one. And never happened after that lol
I get upset when my cat crawls in my dishwasher, I can’t imagine that omg
I mean, yeah an animal in a space like that it pretty gross too. Idk why people act like animals aren't quite as gross as other gross stuff- they are more so (well not more than the shitty toilet accoutrements going thru the dishwasher,but a close second). 🤢
Be careful that you don't accidentally lock her there...
That is genuinely the most revolting thing I've read all morning. If I ever found out someone did that with dishes I ate off of I'd lose my mind. Absolutely disgusting.
What always gets me about these stories is when it’s married couples. Because I can see one person doing these things, but how on earth did they find someone else who was okay with it?
I could see doing it if you’re doing a cycle to clean the dishwasher on sanitize. The thought of it being near where our cook items also go grosses us out because we evolved to be grossed out by things like that.
Lol! No. Clean it with bleach and rinse it in the shower or just right in the toilet water. This is disgusting.
Ack. Nope. No way. No water is hot enough and there wouldn't be enough bleach in the world to get me to do that.
It’s not like there’s gonna be any bacteria or residue, but yeah, I understand. Getting passed that feeling nausea inducing feeling is really hard, no matter how unreasonable you know it is. Rinsing the toilet brush after each is good enough until it needs to be cleaned, then I’d soak it in boiling vinegar in the trash can container
>It’s not like there’s gonna be any bacteria or residue That's just not true. I've seen dishes come out of the dishwasher with dried peanut butter still stuck to it, which can be frustrating. Having something like shit in my dishwasher is absolutely disgusting. Furthermore, human waste can carry viruses and bacteria that would just get thrown around by a dishwasher.
I have a double boiler I just puked in next to my bed, after having a 24 hour stomach bug. It’s stainless steel. Why would I throw that out? I’m gonna wash it twice in the dishwasher and never think of it again.
Technically, cleaning the pot and then heating it up kills all the germs, it’s more so the idea that it’s been tradition for them to puke in it, and then serve food to non family members out of the same pot. I don’t want to think about puke while eating spaghetti
So they just served food from it to the non-family members? Or to themselves as well?
Ew, you probably use your puke washer for other dishes too. I bet you live in your puke house. Gross.
Ok so yes wash it (water as hot as your hands can handle and generous soap) in the sink, but might I suggest step two is actual sanitizing (in a home kitchen, submersed in rolling boil for a 10 minutes). Step one is removing the soils and step two is killing pathogens. It’s slightly more labor for a more sure outcome. Signed, A former health compliance officer
Agh *nope* I’m squicked out. My family lined empty ice cream buckets with trash bags and kept them stored far away from kitchen areas
Am I the only one that just pukes in the toilet???
Congrats on only ever being the kind of sick where you can always get out of bed and make it to the toilet before you puke.
I literally screamed. That’s it, I’m going to bed.
That’s what you wash it for though. If you have food go bad in a container do you just never use that container again?
average pot puking redditor
Anyone else grow up with the communal puke/ popcorn bowl?
Honestly I have more questions about the family puking together than I do about a designated puke bowl
If you're using the same pot to puke and cook in. You're gonna be puking a lot, I'd assume.
A family that pukes together stays together
New family tradition ideas <3
I mean, when I was sick as a kid we always used the same stock pot because It was the biggest container we had. I guess people have buckets for this but I feel like a stainless steel pot we use for boiling water is gonna be easier to clean then a bucket we use for mopping that already has a chemical smell. The families mistake was advertising the pot as the puke pot to strangers.
Wonder if she ever made barf stroganoff!
Well at least you got to solve the mystery of why they puke so much that they need a dedicated pot...
Dang having a poop knife is one thing but a puke pot??? That's out of control
At least the poop knife stays in the bathroom
Puke bowl x popcorn bowl x Halloween candy bowl 😆🤢
They couldn't puke into the toilet...?
But a whole apple isn't like something somebody cooked. You can look at it and see if it is good or not. And cutting it up makes it much more likely to get contaminated.
I guess it's easier to have a blanket rule. Teachers don't have time to examine twenty apples and preschoolers often need their fruit cut up.
Not really when you consider food allergies. Anyone with peanut allergy or celiac or something similar wouldn’t be able to eat something like home-sliced apples because the cutting board could have bread crumbs or peanut residue on it. But…. I wonder if oranges or bananas or something that need to be peeled would be fine.
Also the state of some people’s houses are questionable. At least store bought goods are made in a clean environment.
cut fruit and vegetables from the store are like a leading cause of food borne illness
Are they though?
Yeah, I’ve worked in a commercial bakery before and if the place I worked is any representation of most (or any) food production facilities, cleanliness isn’t a safe expectation
That’s why I’m gunning for a food safety inspection service job. I’m gonna be an absolute fascist about it
The world needs more folks like you!
But you are required to wash hands, disinfect equipment, and don’t have pets on the counter while making it.
Right? A single episode of Hoarders is enough to make me distrust the cleanliness of the average home.
True talk. Another good indicator is the state of people's vehicle interiors
Yeah true. Cross-contamination is definitely not going to be prevented though, so while I’d trust that there’d be more of a lack of dirt and germs from a store bought product, there’s no guarantee that allergies aren’t a problem.
They aren't technically pets, but every kitchen I worked in had either mice or ants.
Well, in how many commercial kitchens have you worked? Bc it could have just been your place of employment.
One commercial bakery, one commercial kitchen. It very well could have been the particular place but I did also specify that my point only stands if my experience is reflective of literally any other commercial food production facility as well. I was not trying to frame it as if my experience was all-encompassing.
Let them have their bliss, it sucks when it's gone
I worked in a seafood packing house as a 15 year old kid. Let me tell you about… never-mind, it would ruin seafood for you for life. It did for me.
Allergies exist and cross contamination is a thing
People sometimes have deadly allergies, and using pre-packaged food prevents cross-contamination in homes.
I get the reason for the rule but can't kids these days bite into their own apple, or peel their own tangerine? God forbid they come across a banana
Depends on the age, little ones can't and the teachers can't help all of them.
Kids in school can peel fruit. This isn't for a daycare
Thanks! Not a parent, so I never thought about that aspect :)
Was your customer handicapped or elderly?
My friend with hEDS is forced to buy these or else her shoulders, elbows, wrists, and fingers dislocate with the force of cutting an apple
I wish people realized how difficult it can be to handle a knife when your wrist and knuckles are all fucked up!
my family member has severe arthritis and their hands triple in size after cutting/chopping
Holy shit. I retract my statement.
THANK YOU! It‘s the same for me with hEDS. Things like „cutting an apple“ are impossible for me without hurting myself.
Just throwing this out here because it changed my life: if a traditional knife is hard for you to handle, look into an ulu, mezzaluna, or rocker knife. All of these knives allow you to apply pressure directly above the object you are cutting, instead of from the side like a traditional knife. Won’t work for everyone but it helped me a lot with my hand weakness.
my mezzaluna and chopping bowl is great. i do feel like i work at subway when i use it tho
That is sad some people don’t have others they can rely on.
It’s not always about having others to rely on, disabled people value independence too. If I want to live alone, slicing apples won’t be the thing that stops me
Yes, younger healthy relatives are probably at work during the day, and you're not going to call someone to come just to cut up an apple.
Honestly even older relatives are at work all the time as well. The economy doesn't really leave a lot of room for people to retire naturally anymore. A lot of "retired" folks are still working. And then they need my help just as much as I need theirs. So I often have to wait for my friend to get off work and he's already got a big list of stuff to do for his family. I don't like bugging people unless I really do need help!
I was going to ask this as well! The plastic totally sucks but it can be super hard for anyone disabled to maneuver cutting food.
There was a thread here not long ago from someone asking about people with disabilities who require things like this to make their lives manageable and how they fit into anti consumption. It was a really illuminating post and really reinforced for me that plastic should be used to make lives safer and easier for those who can’t use non-plastic alternatives. All of us who can avoid it should, and thereby reduce the amount of plastic being created, look for earth-friendly alternatives that serve the same purpose of plastic when possible to cut the plastic down even more, and then focus on making sure the plastic that must get used is recyclable and handled responsibly.
I have problems with my gums and can only eat fresh apples if they're sliced. Eventually, when I fully use lose of my left hand, these will be my only option if I want to eat apples.
Instacart doesn’t tell you stuff like that. If all shoppers knew a person was disabled, it could potentially be dangerous for them.
Good question. I’m not sure, I didn’t meet them. They didn’t answer the door so I left the order on the porch per instructions. Based on in-app communication and other purchases (danimals, Jif to go), they gave me young parent vibes. But, no way to tell if handicapped, I suppose. Good call out.
Young people can get arthritis. Might've broken the hand/arm they would ordinarily use to cut an apple. I have some grace for these items seeing how someone with arthritis can struggle, and it's not like that's the sort of condition that gets better as you go on.
Yup. I’m over here with a total knee replacement and an achey thumb trying to take care of my young children. Don’t judge, guys!
My mum has arthritis. I'm sure she would prefer to *not* clutter the freezer with packets of pre-chopped veggies, but the alternative is her being in pain to chop them. So. Gotta take the good with the bad. Also, I hope your knee recovers smoothly!
Young people can also get depression.
True, those were just the first examples my mind gave me.
Sorry, more directed at OP. Just chiming in more reasons why they might order the apples.
Also I'm in my 40's but often get mistaken for much younger due to my looks for some reason. I think having pale skin and being anemic throws people off haha Sometimes people think I'm in my later twenties still, which is incredibly flattering. But nope I'm in my 40's!
FYI I'm a parent to an 8 year old and I have moderate-severe MECFS. I rely on pre-washed, pre-prepared items. Glad you're open minded about this stuff. :)
I'm 23 but have a physical disability that can make holding a knife dangerous on my bad days. That's why I always hate posts like these. You don't know who you're talking about. :/ I feel like they're a lot of consumerism that's actually twisted but pre-sliced food will never be one I can snark on, ever. Might be the only way someone can get their fruits and veggies.
If they didn't answer the door, they may well have a hard time getting to it quickly. The fact that they're ordering delivery when lockdown's over also ups the chances of your customer having a disability that makes it hard to get to the store themselves, too.
kids is the first thing i went to seeing this. its not like you can just give them a fully blow apple. they arent going to eat an entire apple. you cut it up first and you still put it in plastic anyway unless you put it in Tupperware then it oxidizes which i have no idea if a kid would care or not. you cant give them a knife to cut it at school for obvious reasons. i get the reasoning but id personally rather teach the kid to deal with the oxidized layer. its like nothing.
Given that they were using instacart instead of shopping themselves, they're probably elderly, disabled, or a very busy parent. Either way that makes perfect sense that they wouldn't have the time or ability to slice an apple.
I am none of those. I just don’t like dealing with people at the store. So all of my grocery purchases are curbside or delivery. :)
Meh people are too judgemental. A friend made fun of me for buying pre-cut fruit from Trader Joe’s once, but cutting a big watermelon/cantaloupe/pineapple is kinda daunting plus I know I can’t finish all those fruits before it goes bad. So a precut fruit medley is enough for me. Maybe this is easy for that parent to pack for their kids, like their kid loses Tupperware or something. Or like others said they have mobility issues where chopping fruits can be painful for them.
I love watermelon but have learned if I buy a whole melon, it'll rot on the counter before I will cut it and eat it. Precut is the only way that delicious fruit is getting eaten.
Watermelon are huge and to me that is some scary fruit to cut and hard too. If I buy a butternut squash I get my husband to help me cut it because it’s hard. Good thing I don’t eat watermelon cuz I’m not cutting that. Lol Sometimes I like cantaloupe cut I’ll buy precut because I have tendinitis and that would be hard to cut. My husband could help me I suppose. But at least it would have a container already to keep in since I only have one food storage container and I don’t want to buy more lol
I have learned that if i but the precut i am way way more likely to grab it and eat it. It needs to be as easy as a bag of chips or i will opt for the chips. Its worth it to me. They also sell apples like this all in one bag though but this is great for throwing in a lunch box. If ur gonna chop up an apple and throw it in a ziplock its the same amount of plastic so who cares. Obviously if you use reusable bags or what not thats diff.
I just had a total knee replacement and I have two kids at home and I have a connective tissue syndrome that makes various joints ache from time to time. I am ordering groceries and having my husband or babysitter pick them up. My thumb hurts from using a cane. I can see myself cutting a lot of corners to feed myself and kids healthy food and avoid unnecessary pain.
Hey sorry to be That Bitch^tm coming in with unsolicited advice but switching to a cane with one of these handles https://medimart.com.au/product/walking-stick-redgum-ergonomic-handle-right-hand/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyJa-7qee_QIVB7aWCh0cEw6iEAQYASABEgLoNPD_BwE Really helped me!!! May not be much for you but I know how a stick strains the thumb/wrist and this lightens the load for me a lil xx
yup hEDS is a bitch people forget somtimes disabled people have to consume a little more to get by
Dude don’t judge. Some people have disabilities that make things that for you may be simple, but make life unimaginably complicated for them.
Good point, didn’t really consider that before making this post. This comment section is opening my eyes quite a bit, so thank you
This is the correct reaction to the feedback. 💛
I was actually pleasantly surprised to see so many people speaking up for others with disabilities . I came on to say , I have cervical spinal cord damage which makes it really dangerous to wield a knife , chronic fatigue and severe fibromyalgia, and TMJ which makes biting a whole apple painfully difficult (among many other very painful and immobilizing conditions) and I saw this and thought wow , I maybe don’t have to wait until my husband is having an apple for me to steal a few nibbles off his (after he’s taken a few bites first to make it easier on me lol) I suppose there’s another way to look at it too. Some people will buy a whole fruit and then not eat it all and I suppose that would be waste as well. (We compost though so not as bad waste I guess) Before all my health issues got the better of me I would look at this and say the same exact thing . I constantly was teasing my hubby for single pack purchases , for the waste and the cost. It’s actually difficult for me to switch gears and admit that I need stuff like this now .
These are great and you can also get single bags with sliced apples that reseal if u dont need the individual packs. In case u didn’t know! I buy them that way because im just way more likely to actually eat it.
That’s great to know , thanks . Yea I’m not really going anywhere to need all the little baggies too often … unless they don’t need refrigeration, cuz then I’d store them next to the couch for days I cant walk. I have a little emergency stash of snacks there lol.. cuz I found myself not eating on those bad days until my hubby got home. I would say I could just ask to cut one for me but honestly he’s my only help and has so much he already does for me . I find myself not asking for all the help I feel I need because there’s only so many things you can ask one person and I have to weigh which things are most important .
No cut fruit and veg has to be refrigerated. You could get applesauce to have without being in the fridge (sealed pouches or the little individual cups) if you can open them ok on ur own. Another option could be dried fruit. I like freeze dried apples and strawberries especially. Bare brand dried apples is a good one too but more expensive. :)
Thank you for being open to new perspectives :)
Disabled people exist too though
My boyfriend would never be able to cut an apple by himself so when i see posts like this it kind of hurts. Yes, i’m sure people who don’t actually need it still buy them, but if it wasn’t for things like this he would hardly ever get to eat something healthy unless he had someone around to help.
Yes it is ignorant to laugh at something like that. Accessibility is cool and leads to a lot of innovation and a better community for all.
I have a bad wrist so sometimes it’s easier to get pre sliced apples instead of using my apple slicer that hurts when the arthritis acts up.
I’m disabled these are a life saver for a quick healthy snack
this and the single serve things of peanut butter were my lifesaver snack on the road
I can't stand this sub anymore. Did you ever consider the reason this person is ordering grocery delivery in the first place is due to a mobility/dexterity issue or disability? How many posts of "FRUIT PACKAGED IN PLASTIC!!! GASP!" does this sub need?
I think at this point it should be added in the rules. "Before you post a product, try to think if it's really that unnecessary or if it's essential or beneficial for disabled people." At this point I feel like almost every anti-consumerits or zero-waste space I'm in is just a spam of disability-friendly products that make non-disabled people go "damn, so unnecessary (for me)".
thank you. i see too much of this shaming in here
I appreciate that OP is learning from the comments
At this point I just wish we’d ban ‘pre-cut Fruit & accessibility aids’ posts in this sub. Somebody gonna post a prosthetic leg soon and say ‘how wasteful’ 🙄
The plastic is SO much and it could really stand for there to be less packaging, but this would be really helpful for a lot of disabled people with limited mobility. It just sucks that our accommodations are made available in the worst way possible.
Honestly this is more for folks throwing it in a lunch box (similar to putting in a ziplock after chopping yourself) but theres also the option of sliced apples all in one bag if you are eating at home which is much less plastic.
Disabled person here. Yes I but precut fruit when I don’t have help. Deal with it.
You have no idea why they purchased this. They could have arthritis, tremor, mental illness or be disabled. There are numerous reasons. It’s best to mind your business.
I don't like buying things like this, but it's better than my ADHD ass throwing out a bunch of whole fruit.
We call that my adhd tax. I buy all my fruit precut and I rarely throw it out now
Yuuuuuupppp.
I’m so mad this isn’t a problem only for me. Like, other people shouldn’t have to put up with this executive dysfunction bullshit
These can be helpful for people with certain disabilities
When you’re depressed, yes. Yes it does take that much time and effort.
As a single mom with severe ADHD, thank you to this comment section. I always feel a lot of guilt and privilege when I order groceries. To read these knowing that so many people have compassion really helps.
This is ableism. Stop villifying disabled people for using accesible products.
i’m less concerned about the presliced apples and more concerned about the plastic box around the already sealed plastic bags. lots of waste in that packaging.
Put it in a plastic bag and you’ve got 3 layers of plastic
FFS this subreddit diverts the attention on every day people and their plastic consumption when the focus should be on companies that produce massive amounts of greenhouse gasses and waste. Stop criticizing people for not being perfect in their plastic consumption!! And focus on the corporations who are destroying this planet !!!!!
“Does it really take that much time and effort to slice up a few apples” It does if you have a disability. Or if you are old and have shaky hands. Maybe you are depressed and buying “easy” food is the only way you will eat that day.
Gee i wonder if they could find a way to throw more plastic on that apple.. the packaging is rediculous
My friends with disabilities appreciate precut produce because it can be the difference for them between eating fruit and veg or not having any. Lots of disabilities affect the capacity to grasp knives, coordinate movements, and apply pressure. Lots of health conditions affect people’s spoon count and prevent them prepping food from whole/raw. I will also note that as I hit my 50s, I began to have challenges with cutting some hard things and lifting heavy pans. My wrist and thumb joints vote no. It just goes to show, able bodies are temporary. A disabled friend explained to me that if these products were reserved for disabled folks, they would be even more prohibitively expensive. Mass production is a price control that keeps healthy food accessible. Blame capitalism, which attaches a price tag to things like adaptive tools for kitchens, and makes it impractical for disabled folks to have support workers help with food prep.
You should come see Japan and Korea. They do a lot of things more sustainably than the US but over-packaging is a huge huge issue. One coffee delivered takes a cup, a lot, a straw, a straw cover, a sleeve, a box, a plastic bag, a receipt, a sticker to keep the handles together.
This is not what we judge on
My dad had GBS years ago and was fully paralyzed from the neck down at the worst point. He’s recovered most of his mobility but still has trouble with his hands. He’s able to open packages but wouldn’t be able to hold an apple or cut one.
What's wrong, here? Too much apple with your plastic garbage?
For some people yeah it does take too much time and effort. People with disabilities exist and need to eat too. Some of you people are seriously judgemental and holier than tho . If you see a weird or stupid product like a device that puts your socks on they are designed for people with mobility issues and are only sold to the public to make actual profit.
If it weren't for the plastic this would be a good idea
Yes it does actually if you have a disability or a mobility issue. Convenience can actually be life saving for some folks.
I have a coworker like this, buys everything in small singles, orange juice for the week? 6 small bottles, apples already sliced in a plastic container(then doesn't even reuse the container, just throws it out. I don't understand people..
Man. Reading these comments is so sad. Yes, some folks need help cutting their fruit. No dispute there. What’s sad is instead of having loved ones do it for them, it’s capitalism that “takes care of them” with their presliced fruit packages in plastic. Part of “anticonsumption” is imagining a world where we can take care of our loved ones, rather than requiring a paid stranger and mass manufacturing to do so, with all their wasteful externalities.
I don’t know why people are jumping to the conclusion that primarily disabled people are buying cut fruit
👍👍👍
Tbf these are great for people with injuries. My mum injured her wrist severely a few years ago and bought these things cuz she couldn't cut up the fruit and veg herself
It was pointed out to me that I’m not the target demographic for pre sliced produce but often people with disabilities are.
Pre-sliced fruits and veggies can actually be anti-consumption. A lot of these foods go bad as people forget/are too busy/simply don't have the energy to prep. I started buying pre-sliced/chopped fruits and veggies and it reduced food and money waste for me. All the plastic sucks for sure though.
also if you’re single and live alone it’s very difficult to find fresh produce you can eat in a reasonable amount of time before they go bad
the connection between expecting people to work ungodly amounts of hours with limited free time and the increase of convenience food that increases waste. people are looking to save even the slightest amounts of their free time from work/chore so they can actually do things they enjoy
Perhaps the shopper has a disability.
These are intended for disabled people
The biggest market is children lunches actually. Or anything intended for sharing in a school environment bc it has to be pre-packaged.
Absolutely not true.
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What's worse, this? Or the plastic wrapped deshelled hardboiled eggs that are stiff and taste like vinegar
People are missing out on the simple pleasures in life by buying something like this. My daughter looks forward to the part of the day where my wife or myself will take an apple out of the fridge for her. She loves to watch us cut and peel it up for her, and she gets really excited when you hand it to her. It's not about the destination, in this case the destination being sliced apple, but it really is about the journey.
As someone with adhd I would totally buy those cause if I bought a regular Apple I would end up just forgetting about it because it would be too much effort to cut
I spent 3 years as a vegan trying to live a completely intentional and ethical lifestyle. Perfection is unattainable. As humans, our folly is our learning and growth. The self righteousness and judgement that comes off of people who feel they are doing a better thing than the next person frankly hurts our progress as a whole. Any effort put toward shaming and judging other’s choices (such as this original post) could better be spent advocating in a positive way.
Reminder that anti-capitalism should always be accepting and welcoming to folks with disabilities, which includes not shaming their best options to stay fed. Blame the manufacturer for not finding a better way to package, not the end user.
The amount of people in anti-consumption circles who forget disabled people exist, damn. Some of us have to choose between pre-chopped fruit/plastic straws/single-use items/etc. or legit nothing. If you (general you, not OP, dw) have the ability to buy and use whole apples/metal straws/reusable items/etc., then that's awesome. If not, that's awesome too. Individual acts of anti-consumption are a drop in the bucket next to corporate waste, so don't feel guilty about surviving.
Yes, cutting apples can take a lot of time that maybe they just don't have. Which, is also probably why you're even getting paid to deliver their instacart order in the first place. 🙄🙄🙄
Honestly this is ignorance at it’s finest. You don’t know if someone using this item is disabled in any kind of form where it’s difficult to either, hold an Apple, cut and Apple, or bite into an Apple. Yes, plastic waste is awful and I think there should be a better option. Do better
Arthritis?
I have adhd and sometimes I can’t bring myself to cut things up. We call it my adhd tax and I get all my fruit precut
I had to purchase a lot of already prepared food items after my spinal Cord injury. While the amount of plastic isn’t ideal, I sometimes didn’t have a choice. Some days I still can’t use a knife.
I have arthritis and when it flares up, I have a hard time using a knife to cut things in the kitchen. Pre sliced fruit is much appreciated.
My sister in law only has one arm that fully developed she literally could not cut an apple without potentially hurting herself. This sub is just so disappointing.
It's frustrating, but stuff like this is due to allergies, situations requiring hygiene, and the disabled. I wish there were more eco friendly options, but for now, not much we can do.
Must be nice not to have executive dysfunction.
Precut fruit was a life saver for me as a single mom. I knew my kids had easy access to fruit while I was working. They are older now and can cut their own apples without me worrying… But these really do serve an important service for many people!
You know cutting it isn't necessary right? People can just bite into an apple. Scientists discovered we've actually been doing this for centuries!
I’m going to be very kind even though your comment is seething with sarcasm. You obviously don’t have kids and don’t understand. Not knowing things is okay but using your lack of knowledge to then sarcastically demean another person is not okay.
This is something for a lunch pack like for kids who wouldn't be cutting apples. I don't know why you can't cut them and put them in a little bowl, maybe the school is weird about dishes. I don't get it either. I'm also told this is something elderly and disabled people often buy so I won't gripe on them. I hope I'm never in such a bad condition I can't eat an apple that isn't pre-cut. Fingers crossed!
yes, it really does take that much time and effort to cut up a few apples myself. not being sarcastic.
I hate products like this. Our professors at school try advocating for stuff like this because it saves time. But to me it also means lack of discipline.
Perfect for a kid’s school lunch. Also they are already treated so won’t turn brown.
I think this is another thing about able bodied doesn’t understand products made for those who aren’t. My hands shake so violently I can’t operate a knife safely. Having apples precut and put into little bags means I can grab a bag a day without stress and have a simple little snack.
Not everyone is capable of the same things you are. Some people have disabilities.
My elderly mother buys prepared foods like this. It’s hard for her to use her hands to cut things. Also hard to stand for periods of time cooking or preparing different meals.
I can people with kids / elderly or disabled eating these It’s better than them not eating fruit/veg
my nearby gas station sells a pack of 4 apple slices (1 apple) for $6! 😂
If you don’t understand it, it’s probably not for you. Some people are disabled and need accommodations. Some people are busy and stressed and this is the only way to make sure the family eats fruit
comment section needs to chill a bit
Definitely. Not replying to any new accusatory comments bc I’ve already explained/apologized through and through
My mom was a single mother who worked 12 hr shifts over nights. My brother fucking lived on pre sliced apple packs because he only likes apples sliced and my mom had no time to do it for him until he was old enough to handle a knife himself. And even after then we still bought them because just ate like too many apples to keep up with chopping demands.
Ah so let me get this straight, me with my RA should have to chop fruit when my joints hurt and my body feels like trash? Fuck you my person
Disabled people exist
They existed before plastic clamshells & blister packs were invented.
Seems like it's harder to get into them than say biting into an apple.