Free samples return to Trader Joe's, customers rejoice

OAKLAND, Calif. - From the pre-pandemic days, Trader Joe's has started to bring back free samples at many of its stores.

The popular TJ's tradition began making its return in recent days, as reported by excited customers on social media. 

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Many rejoiced, suggesting it signaled an end to the pandemic. One Twitter use wrote, "The sample station is officially BACK after the last several years at Trader Joe’s and I am not kidding when I say that I shed a genuine tear. One of life’s greatest pleasures." 

An employee at an Oakland Trader Joe's told KTVU that it's not an official relaunch of the grocery chain's free sample program, but rather, a more casual roll-out, with each store running its own schedule on when to offer the grazing-while-shopping opportunity.

The employee said, for now, customers can expect free single-served snacks and treats on sample tables on a couple of select days a week. 

He said typically, the samples will be brought out on the busier shopping days and during a finite time frame, not all-day.

For those who were looking forward to a free jolt of caffeine from Trader Joe's sample coffee dispensers, well, you're out of luck. 

"The coffee stations won't ever come back," the employee said.

Prior to the pandemic, Trader Joe's long-offered freebies, from hot samplings, to sweet treats, giving shoppers a chance to taste new and popular products, as stores also served up ideas on ways to prepare and cook up its dishes. Those food demos were expected to return, though reportedly, will only be offered at select stores.