Food Informants is a week-in-the-life series profiling fascinating people in the food world. We hope it will give you a first-hand look at the many different corners of the food industry. Know someone who would make a great Food Informant? Tell us why.

“Jane,” 24, has been working for Trader Joe’s since 2007, though in 2009 she left for over a year to go work for Whole Foods. She did not like it there and returned to TJ’s. At Trader Joe’s, every employee does a range of tasks, but Jane’s speciality is dairy. Below is her explanation of the pros and cons of the job:

I like working for Trader Joe’s because they pay me well and offer great benefits. They also respect me as an employee and make me feel like I’m useful and needed and not just another part-time employee that can be replaced (which has been the case at other retail jobs I’ve had). Trader Joe’s is really good at hiring great people and I’m lucky to have so many wonderful co-workers. I don’t like working at Trader Joe’s because the work can be strenuous on my back and wrists. Being on a register for several hours at a time is tiring and somewhat soul crushing due to ignorant people who feel the need to be condescending to me because I work at a grocery store. I also feel that the company is becoming more and more corporate as it grows and it is beginning to have an impact on the enjoyability of being a part-time “crew member.” I also work in a very busy store which causes the managers to stress out a lot and I don’t enjoy being surrounded by it.

Read on to learn about Jane’s week (she doesn’t work Tues/Wed/Thurs) and all the tasks she does at Trader Joe’s.

to read more, go to:   http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/11/food-informants-trader-joes_n_917654.html#s325677&title=Nate_Appleman_Chip