I decided not to go to aldis to buy their bananas (0.25 lb) and just buy some at kroger where they are 0.49 lb to save myself the trip. The bananas at kroger are alot better than the Aldi ones from what I can tell. They are yellower, they are firmer and they are not as stringy. I don’t see much quality difference between the apples of discount & chain grocers though aside from size.
So are there some kinds of fruit where the inferior second strings are sent to discount grocers? What kinds of fruits end up like this and which ones have no quality difference between discount and chain grocers.
Yes, I think you get better quality at larger chain stores. I think the delivery channel for larger stores gets them better/fresher fruit. Also, their buying power allows them to retail higher quality (albeit at higher priced) fruit. Similarly, you’ve got a better chance of finding “exotic” fruit at these larger stores (for the same reasons). Granted, there are many who would not consider Papaya & Mango exotic, but I live in New England. I never laid eyes on a Mango until I went to Florida in my early teens. To be able to buy Mangos at Stop & Shop for 50 cents apeice (in February) is pretty cool, IMHO.
There are three tiers of produce quality IME.
1: Lowest–at discount groceries or local mom & pops. This produce is smaller, either unripe or overripe, and sits around on the shelves a lot longer meaning freshness is always suspect. It is typically cheapest though.
2: Midgrade–Groceries like Kroger or Giant Eagle. Lots of selection, good-sized items, acceptable freshness level, usually highest in price. Flavor can be wishy-washy.
3: Dank–At produce stores (Monettes here in my neck of the woods) or farmer’s markets. Exceptional flavor, lower prices than the level 2 grocers, selection varies by season but is always adequate, and free samples are par for the course. Nothing sucks quite like buying a big ol’ bag of oranges only to get them home and find they taste like bitter chalky ass.
If at all possible, I go with # 3.
Dank
high in quality, enjoyable to partake in 
Wow. You young people and your, uh, dank slang! 
In Manhattan I find the best fruit comes from sidewalk vendors. Their prices are usually better than in stores. If I can find a greenmarket, they usually have good quality stuff as well
The stuff I order online is good, but it’s always too damn big (Smurfs should be 3 apples tall, not the other way around).
Then the grocery chains are useable. Some of the time.
What I found in the Chicago suburbs:
Highend grocery stores - Big, beautiful fruit. All nicely polished, not a blemish in sight. Gorgeous to behold but tastes the same as other places. And who wants apples that weight 12oz. plus each? Oh. and you pay a hefty premium for that polish.
Standard grocery stores - Same fruit as above, but without the polish, and closer to standard sizes.
Greengrocer / Ethnic grocer - You will get the apples that are so lopsided that they roll off the table on their own. The oranges haven’t had the color sprayed on them evenly. The flavors are MUCH better. They offer varieties that the others don’t carry. Costs are maybe half. Definately the way to go, if you can.
I like the bananas at Aldi’s. I can usually find them not too ripe, which is good because I won’t eat them if they have any brown. And they may be a bit smaller, but they’re just as tasty and a giant banana is too much. I like their pears, too. Apples and oranges can vary, just like regular grocery stores.
StG