As the days grow shorter and the nights grow colder, the season of autumn sneaks up behind us, bringing pumpkins, spookiness, and crunchy leaves falling from the trees. There is also a transformation in the food we eat, which is especially apparent at the beloved Trader Joe’s. From light, airy snacks to full-fledged butternut squash meals, Trader Joe’s has got your fall needs covered.
In early September of this year, Trader Joe’s released its much-anticipated fall collection throughout the 608 stores nationwide. Founded in California in 1967, the chain has since flourished for its low prices, niche snack selection, skincare, and most importantly, limited-time offerings to highlight the different seasons.
Trader Joe’s pumpkin craze all started during the pandemic. It released fall-specific items to try creating some variation in supermarket selection, according to Mashed. “Just about everyone in every type of business has had to make adjustments during this pandemic,” Trader Joe’s spokesperson Matt Sloan said. “We’re proud that Trader Joe’s has maintained a commitment to developing new products, to giving you that sense of discovery on every visit.”
Here are some of the stand-outs from the supermarket’s fall release.
Glazed Pumpkin Pie Spice Donut Holes:
Though Dunkin’ has a monopoly on the donut industry of the Northeast, Trader Joe’s did a great job of testing the water with the release of these pumpkin-y, soft donut holes.
Ghosts & Bats Fruit Leather Chains:
Five dollars for five ounces is a steal with these sour and sweet fruit leather chains. These individually packaged snacks are perfect for an easy on-the-go grab or for a healthier option for trick-or-treaters.
Maple Pancake Flavored Puffs:
Speaking of sugar, Trader Joe’s has also released Maple Pancake Flavored Puffs, a sweet version of its classic White Cheddar Corn Puffs. The light, airy qualities of this snack make it irresistible. Beware… before you know it, the whole bag might be gone!
Fall Leaf Tortilla Chips:
On a salty note, Trader Joe’s released a festive tortilla chip for all your dippin’ needs. The shape of these chips demonstrates the high attention to detail that the store pays to all its items. And, if plain tortilla chips aren’t your thing, it also launched Pumpkin Tortilla Chips.
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese:
While Trader Joe’s is known for its superb seasonal snacks, some festive meals, such as the Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese, stand out. Trader Joe’s connoisseurs, like ourselves, have loved this fall item for years. The mix of sweet and savory makes it the perfect last-minute meal.
Mini Spicy Pumpkin Samosas:
The Trader Joe’s fall offerings are very sweet, but this spicy samosa offers the eater a unique taste unlike any other fall item. The mini aspect of these samosas makes them addictive, and customers keep coming back for more.
Pumpkin Ravioli:
Trader Joe’s really does have something for everyone with this ravioli, as it comes in gluten-free and normal variations. The pumpkin is featured within the creamy filling and the fun, orange-colored ravioli dough.
Trader Joe’s knows its customers, and it knows the way to their hearts is to appeal to their furry friends, which is why the supermarket has released a variety of dog treats. The dog treats include classic Pumpkin Flavored Dog Treats, Harvest Brunch Dog Treats, which blend turkey, apple, and pumpkin, as well as Halloween Peanut Butter Flavor Decorated Dog Treats.
While all of these new items sound exciting, not all shoppers felt the autumn spirit in the store.
“I was super excited to try the new Trader Joe’s fall items only to be disappointed by the lack of options,” Talia Jacob, a senior at NVD, said. “I kept seeing the new items on TikTok, which is why I wanted to go to the supermarket, but when I got there, I didn’t see all the options that were trending. They did have some things, but I was expecting more.”
As the fallen leaves give way to cold malaise and snow-covered grounds, head to Trader Joe’s to sample the fall offerings. Savor the pumpkin and butternut squash now, as peppermint and gingerbread will be arriving sooner than you think.
