Supermarkets service numerous consumers, offer a multitude of products from food to pharmaceutical wares. The home economics class ventured to the Savemart Supermarket to explore how the store functions on Oct. 22.
“It’s important to go on this field trip because you learn so much about employment, nutrition, what happens to spoiled food and so much more,” Sharon Sharf, home economics teacher, said. “The trip is like a kiwi, so nutrient dense in one little piece of fruit. The trip was so information dense in one hour and it’s very worth while.”
One privilege extended to the students included going in the back of the bakery. They watched how cakes and pastries transform from dull to decorated.
“It was cool to watch the lady in the bakery decorate cakes and make really pretty flowers with frosting,” Nicole Erickson, ’09, said. “I never realized how much work is put into each cake just to make it look nice.”
Many people do not realize how much work goes on behind the scenes. Workers must unpackaged items from storage trucks before restocking them on the shelves. Before working in the meat department, employees are required to train before working on the job.
“My favorite part about the trip was watching how the machines work,” Stephen Grimes, ’11, said. “They packaged the meat really quickly and it was interesting to watch. It was also hilarious seeing Casey wear the white protective hat.”
Though most of the trip contained educational information, students enjoyed going behind the counters and watching how the supermarket functions on a daily basis.
“I liked going in the meat section because we got to see a guy cutting fish,” Chelsea Wathen, ’10, said. “The fish head was really cute and it was staring at me with his little eyes.”
Whether shopping at Vons, Food Maxx, or Costco, students learned about nutrition and how to read lables correctly.
“They give us good information on how to buy ripe fruit and pick out the right vegetables,” Marielle Desrosiers, ’08, said, “like the more vibrant color they have, the better they taste. Also that expiration dates on diary products actually goes bad about a week later, but the supermarket just can’t keep it on the shelves.”
Desrosiers has traveled to Savemart with Scharf three times, however, believes the trip is most beneficial for first year students.
“It’s a really fun trip to go on,” Desrosiers said, “most students look forward to it and that’s its done, we all anticipate the 9-foot burrito.”
