But, it wasn’t an easy process.
Costco executives staunchly opposed the book from the start and initially refused to participate.
Susan suggests that Costco’s reluctance wasn’t because the company was trying to keep secrets.
Shutterstock / Design: Joe Heroun
“Costco is very, very humble and modest,” she says.
“They didn’t want the attention.”
“It’s a day we’ll never forget,” says Susan.
Authors David and Susan SchwartzPhoto by by Lisa Pavlova
The couple was even privy to profit numbers and executive meetings.
“So, it’s going to the grave.”
The book is filled with a ton of other incredible information.
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Here are 15 amazing Costco food facts the Schwartzes uncovered while researching the new book.
How does the retailer maintain enough supply to keep up with such high demand?
By working directly with suppliers.Costco works with 2.5 million independent cashew farmers in Africa.
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And there’s also a sustainability piece here, Susan points out.
Their senior manager returned from vacation to see this had been done.
If it’s not purchased before the two hours is up, it’s taken off the shelf.
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It’s then turned into a different dish.
The dark meat is used for chicken tacos.
The white meat goes into chicken salad, sandwiches, salads, and soups.
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Other times, it’s just pulled, vacuum-sealed and sold as is.
This isn’t because the chicken goes bad.
It’s just no longer at the peak freshness taste that Costco desires.
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“It really reflects their obsession with a quality experience for members,” says David.
Costco introduced a new fruit to the U.S.
If you like seedless watermelon, you’re free to thank Costco for that.
Photo: Costco / Facebook
The retailer introduced the fruit in America.
Costco produces its own hot dogs to keep the costs low.
Which warehouse sells the most?
Courtesy of David and Susan Schwartz
Those crispy onions were a favorite find of the Schwartzes.
“Think of the onions you’d use on a green bean casserole,” says Susan.
But, at warehouses around the world, the menu is much more diverse.
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Montreal, Canada, has poutine, of course.
Costcos in Korea top pizza with bulgogi beef.
Visiting the different food courts is part of the fun for David and Susan.
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“We have tasted everything,” Susan says.
“We take that responsibility very seriously.”
Costco sources many of its eggs from family farms around the world.
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Looking for something unique?
In France, you might find duck eggs.
In Canada, it’s quail eggs, and in the United Kingdom, light blue chicken eggs!
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But, boy, wasthat wrong.
Most Costco bakeries in Japan are larger than their U.S. counterparts.
The Shin Misato bakery is 2.5 times the size of the average Costco bakery.
Courtesy of Instacart
Both Costco and Grey Goosedenythis, although they could potentially use the same water source, the authors note.
Those pies require 12 million pounds of canned pumpkin and 24 million eggs.
Employees will flash-freeze pizzas that aren’t purchased within a few hours to donate.
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That’s before we mention all the fresh sushi available that members can see being prepared.
The prices are super reasonable, too.
you’re free to get a 48-count sushi tray for around $23.
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Guests include employees, vendors, press, and other notables.
On day one, you may find guests smashing open large wooden kegs of sake (and sampling!)
at store openings in Japan or dancing dragon puppets in China.
Courtesy of David and Susan Schwarz/The Joy of Costco
