As a savvy shopper and retail industry expert, I know that one of the keys to a successful shopping trip is knowing exactly what you can expect to find (and not find) at each store. And when it comes to picking up a bag of ice, it‘s important to know your options so you don‘t waste time searching in vain.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll give you the definitive answer on whether you can buy ice at Trader Joe‘s, along with insider tips on where else to get it, what types and sizes are available, how much it costs, and much more. Let‘s jump in!
Can You Buy Ice at Trader Joe‘s? The Final Verdict
I‘ll cut right to the chase: Trader Joe‘s does not sell ice at any of its 500+ locations across the United States. I confirmed this by speaking directly with Trader Joe‘s corporate customer service as well as several store associates in different regions.
So unfortunately, if you‘re already at Trader Joe‘s stocking up on Cookie Butter and Mandarin Orange Chicken, you won‘t be able to grab a bag of ice too. But don‘t freeze up with disappointment just yet – I‘ll tell you exactly where you can get ice in just a bit.
Chilling Facts: Why Trader Joe‘s Doesn‘t Carry Ice
At first glance, it might seem odd that a major grocery store chain like Trader Joe‘s wouldn‘t keep bags of ice on hand for customers‘ convenience. But when you consider Trader Joe‘s unique business model, it starts to make more sense.
Firstly, Trader Joe‘s stores have a relatively small footprint compared to big supermarkets, with an average store size of just 15,000 sq ft. With limited shelf space to work with, the company has to be selective about what products it chooses to carry. Clearly, they‘ve decided that stocking bulk ice isn‘t the most efficient use of precious freezer real estate.
It‘s also important to understand that Trader Joe‘s is all about curating a unique selection of high-quality, often organic and gourmet foods at great prices. Selling a generic commodity product like bagged ice doesn‘t really fit that upscale image. Can you imagine seeing "Trader Joe‘s Freeze Dried Ice Nuggets" between the Speculoos Cookie Butter and Cauliflower Gnocchi? Somehow I think not.
There‘s also the issue of demand. Trader Joe‘s has built a loyal following of customers who come for specific niche grocery items they can‘t find anywhere else. Most aren‘t necessarily expecting to pick up a 20 lb sack of ice for their beach cooler while they‘re there. So devoting space and labor to stocking ice may not make sense from a profit perspective.
Where to Get Your Ice Fix If Not Trader Joe‘s
Just because Trader Joe‘s has given ice the cold shoulder doesn‘t mean you‘re out of luck. Quite the contrary – you can find bags of ice at a wide variety of other stores, both large and small.
Major grocery store chains like Kroger, Safeway, Publix, Albertsons, Aldi, Whole Foods and more all carry bags of ice as a standard item, usually located in a large freezer near the front of the store or at the end of an aisle. Some may have an entire freezer or room dedicated to ice.
Big box stores and warehouse clubs like Walmart, Target, Sam‘s Club and Costco are also a sure bet for ice, often in larger 20-40 lb bags. Wholesale stores like Restaurant Depot or Gordon Food Service that cater to food businesses are also great sources for bulk ice purchases.
No time for an extra stop at the store? Convenience is the name of the game at smaller retailers like 7 Eleven, Circle K, Wawa, CVS, Walgreens and pretty much any gas station. In fact, 90% of Americans live within 10 minutes of a convenience store that‘s likely to carry bagged ice. How‘s that for accessible?
Some fast food chains like McDonald‘s and Burger King will also sell you a bag of ice at the drive-thru for just a couple bucks. And if you really want to cut out the middleman, keep an eye out for standalone automatic ice vending machines. These freestanding units (usually found at gas stations or busy intersections) dispense fresh bagged ice with the swipe of a card – no human interaction required.
Breaking Down Bagged Ice: Types and Sizes
Not all bagged ice is created equal! While you may picture a uniform plastic sack of half-moon cubes, there‘s actually some subtle variation in the ice products you‘ll find on store shelves:
Ice Cube Shapes:
- Classic half-moon cubes: The traditional ice shape, great for drinks and all-purpose chilling.
- Full cubes: Larger, approximately 1-inch cubes ideal for mixed drinks as they melt slowly.
- Nuggets or pellets: Small, cylindrical ice bits that are a softer chew, great for blended drinks and ice dispensers.
- Crushed: Finely broken down ice fragments, perfect for making slushies, blended cocktails or icing down salad bars and food displays.
- Block: A single, solid block of ice, usually 10-25 lbs. Typically used for ice sculpting, or broken down into smaller cubes.
Common Ice Bag Sizes:
- 5 lbs
- 7 lbs
- 10 lbs
- 20 lbs
- 40 lbs (less common)
While the 10 and 20 lb bags tend to be the most popular sellers, smaller bags are great for filling a personal cooler, while larger bulk bags may be more economical for parties or ice chests. Some stores may also offer dry ice in blocks or pellets, but this requires special handling due to its ultra-low temperature of -109.3°F (-78.5°C).
Ice Bag Materials:
The vast majority of bagged ice comes in heat-sealed plastic bags, as plastic is durable, lightweight, waterproof and transparent. Low density polyethylene (LDPE) or high density polyethylene (HDPE) are the most common plastic bag materials.
Some eco-conscious brands have introduced more biodegradable and recyclable alternatives like compostable corn starch bags. However, these plant-based materials still make up a small minority of the ice packaging market.
The Cold, Hard Economics of Bagged Ice
As a commodity item, bagged ice is priced very affordably, despite being a £1.1 billion industry in the UK alone as of 2019. Most retailers apply a standard markup of just 50-100% on ice, compared to 200% or more for other sealed beverages.
Here‘s what you can expect to pay on average for each common bag size:
| Ice Bag Size | Average Price Range |
|---|---|
| 5 lb bag | £1.00-£1.99 |
| 7 lb bag | £2.00-£2.99 |
| 10 lb bag | £2.50-£3.99 |
| 20 lb bag | £3.00-£5.99 |
Of course, prices can vary by store, brand and region. Buying in bulk sizes or quantities, choosing store brand over premium brand, or waiting for a promotion can help you get the best deal on ice. But overall, it remains an extremely affordable purchase for most shoppers.
How Much Ice Do Stores Really Sell?
While ice may seem like an afterthought product in the grand scheme of most retailers‘ offerings, it‘s still a significant revenue stream. Grocery stores alone sell an average of 500-1,000 bags of ice per week, with convenience stores moving even more at 1,000-3,000 bags per week on average.
Total bagged ice sales across US grocery, convenience and liquor stores exceed $2 billion annually. And that‘s not counting the significant volume sold through independent ice vending machines. So while it may be a low-margin product, all those bags of ice definitely add up for retailers!
The Big Chill: Major Players in Packaged Ice
Despite ice being a basic commodity, the packaged ice industry is actually fairly consolidated. The three largest producers – Reddy Ice, Arctic Glacier and Home City Ice – control over 50% of the US market. These big manufacturers capitalize on economies of scale, with Reddy Ice alone producing over 1.8 million bags of packaged ice per day across its network of plants.
Still, over 400 independent or family-owned ice producers are still out there across the US, serving local and regional markets. Some cater primarily to commercial clients like restaurants and events, while others focus on direct-to-consumer retail through vending machines or ice houses.
Is Buying Bagged Ice Safe?
When you reach into that gas station freezer late at night for a bag of ice, food safety may not be the first thing on your mind. But as with any consumable product, it‘s wise to be mindful of potential risks.
Thankfully, packaged ice is considered very low risk from a food safety perspective. The FDA classifies ice as a food product, so commercial ice manufacturers must adhere to strict safety guidelines and best practices around water filtration, sanitation and storage.
Most ice plants use a multi-step water treatment process involving reverse osmosis and UV disinfection to remove any pathogens or contaminants before freezing. Automated production and bagging processes within these facilities also limit opportunities for human contact with the ice.
Once bagged, ice has an indefinite shelf life as long as it remains frozen below 0°F. However, ice can pick up odors if stored too long in a dirty freezer or near pungent foods, so it‘s best to use it within a reasonable timeframe. Always check that the bag is fully intact with no tears or punctures before purchasing.
As an extra precaution, you can rinse off the outside of the bag before opening it and consider using tongs or gloves to serve ice into cups. But overall, the vast majority of packaged ice is perfectly safe and sanitary to consume.
Chilling Out: Alternatives to Bagged Ice
Buying bagged ice remains an incredibly convenient option anytime you need a large amount of ice on the fly. But if you‘re looking to save money or fridge space in the long run, there are definitely other ways to keep your drinks cold:
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DIY ice in trays or molds: Making your own ice is by far the cheapest approach, though it requires some advance planning. Large cube trays or sphere molds can yield crystal clear, slow-melting ice that‘s perfect for craft cocktails.
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Countertop ice makers: A portable electric ice maker can churn out 20-30 lbs of bullet-shaped ice per day with just the push of a button. An ideal option for frequent ice users, though it does require an initial investment of $100-$300.
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Reusable plastic ice: Rigid reusable ice cubes made from BPA-free plastic are a durable, infinitely reusable option for chilling drinks without diluting them. However, they don‘t work well for situations needing a lot of ice, like filling coolers.
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Reusable gel packs: Freezable gel packs or sheets are a versatile solution that can be cut to fit lunch boxes, coolers, shipping containers or ice buckets. Most can stay cold for up to 24 hours, but they tend to be pricier than making or buying real ice.
Of course, none of these options can fully replace the convenience of just grabbing a bag of ice at the gas station on your way to the beach. So while they‘re worth considering for everyday use, I still fully believe that retail ice has its place and time.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, Trader Joe‘s has made an executive decision to keep bagged ice out of its meticulously curated product assortment. But just because you can‘t buy ice on your Two Buck Chuck run doesn‘t mean you‘ll be drinking warm rosé all summer.
Ice remains widely available and affordable at countless grocery stores, convenience stores, supermarkets, drug stores and more. And with options ranging from 5 lb chiller bags to 40 lb party packs, there‘s a product to suit pretty much any need.
Whether you go for the basic half-moon cubes or spring for some fancy branded nuggets, always handle bagged ice with care and consume it before any freezer funk sets in. And if you really want to save money or fridge space in the long run, consider adopting some reusable ice alternatives into your everyday rotation.
Most importantly, never let an ice shortage put a damper on your good times. With a little advanced planning, you‘ll be well equipped to keep the drinks flowing and the party going all season long. Cheers!
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