MARTIN SLOANE | Supermarket Shopper New display affects freshness of baked goods

Supermarkets are confronted with the question of whether to display loose baked goods in closed, see-thru plastic cabinets or in open bins. The closed cabinets keep the bagels and rolls a little fresher. The open bins make selecting a little easier and sell more. The Giant supermarket chain, based in Carlisle, Pa., has chosen the open bins. Not everyone is pleased:
Dear Martin: There has been a dismaying change in the bakery of my local Giant supermarket. In trying to make things look spiffier, they have taken freshly baked goods, such as bagels and rolls, from their former closed cabinets and moved them to open baskets. There's nothing like a soft, fresh, chewy bagel. However, everyone knows that a bagel left in the open air for an hour or two turns hard and stale.
A woman who appeared to be a manager brushed off my concerns, saying the items in the new open baskets would always be nice and fresh because they're baked daily. I touched a bagel with my hand (there were no tongs available) and decided not to buy it because it was so stale. I sent an e-mail to Giant's headquarters. I received a response suggesting I wait at the bakery counter until a new batch of bagels was made. I guess they think I have time to spare. What do you think about this? A reader in Exeter Township, Pa.
Dear Reader: Shoppers are very sensitive to the freshness of baked goods, especially bagels. Bagels left in the open air eventually turn into hockey pucks. I spoke with Denny Hopkins, Giant's vice president of public affairs. Of the chain's 117 supermarkets, the majority of them now have the what he called "open air" baked goods bins. He says most customers like them and freshness has not been a problem because the procedure is to replenish the selection throughout the day as they sell down. This does raise the possibility that a fresh supply will not be made for an item that has not sold down to a minimum quantity. Stale bagels? It is possible, and bakery department staff should be doing more than just keeping watch on the supply in each basket. They should also insure there are a tongs available to customers for sanitary handling. Although it may be more of a hassle than it's worth, note that Giant has a double your money back satisfaction guarantee on all fresh foods.
Dear Martin: I am very unhappy with coupons that require the purchase of more than one item. When I see these coupons, they go into the trash. Please send me a petition and I will get other shoppers to sign it and send to the manufacturers. A reader in Syracuse
Dear Reader: I can understand that you want to do something about this problem. I do not have a petition form to send you, but you can easily make your own. Clip out one of the multi-purchase coupons, attach it to the top of a sheet of paper. Under the coupon, express your complaint, "This coupon is of no value to me because I can't use more than one." After you get signatures of others, send it to the customer relations department at the company address on the product package.
Dear Readers: Not everyone enjoys playing The Great Grocery Game. Several weeks ago, Denise Fox, a winner of my Smart Shopper Award, sent me a note: "Thank you for the award, but I must tell you I hate to grocery shop. The best time for me to visit the supermarket is late in the evening and I am pretty weary. As a result, I try to keep the big grocery shopping trips to twice a month. It took me about an hour to prepare for a recent trip. I compared the prices in the circulars, selected the coupons and made my list. The way I see it, I earned $141.61 for that hour of work. For that kind of money, I will do a task, even if I don't like it!"
Dear Denise: I have no problem with you not liking to shop. You aren't alone. But we definitely agree on the wonderful feeling of satisfaction when you save money! Keep up the good work.
Shopper Award
This week's Smart Shopper Award goes to Sylvia Jenkins of Augusta, Ga.: "While looking through the reduced, damaged goodies shelf at a Bi-Lo, I found two Cocoa Puff boxes for $1 each that were only slightly smashed at the top. I had a $1 off two coupon, so two boxes cost me only $1. But my savings were not over. Inside each box I found free children tickets to the upcoming Looney Tunes movie my twin sons want to see. It was a wonderful deal!"
Sylvia will receive a copy of my book, The Guide to Coupons & amp; Refunds. Her Shopping Adventure will be posted on my column support Web site: www.martin-sloane.com.
Have you sent in your Golden Shopping Cart Award nomination? If you want to show your appreciation to a supermarket or employee for outstanding performance or helping you stretch your grocery budget, this is an excellent way to do it. Send your nominations to me, Martin Sloane, The Supermarket Shopper, in care of this newspaper. Nominations must be received by Jan. 19.
XSend questions and comments to Martin Sloane in care of The Vindicator. The volume of mail precludes individual replies to every letter, but Martin Sloane will respond to letters of general interest in the column.
United Feature Syndicate